Red Planet

I was always a big fan of Saturday morning cartoons, any genre. My favorites were always Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or whatever shows based on comic books were currently running. When I was in the sixth grade, Red Planet came out. I liked the miniseries so much that I bought the book, which was written towards children of my age. I loved it. It wasn't the same as the miniseries, but they came close enough in imaginative scope. I think Heinlein would've been proud. Since then I've become an avid Heinlein and sci/fi fan. The film not only inspired me to read more, but it also inspired me to dabble in my own authorship. The worth of my stories has yet to be proved, but the therapeutic value is unmatched by anything else. I've seen the film again, after having read the book, and it is still amazing. This film is targeted at children, and is perhaps the best kid's movie I've ever seen.

Red Planet the animated mini-series based upon the novel by RAH is a mixed bag. I'd have liked it to have been more faithful to the book but it is pretty good for what it is. There is a lot to like and a lot to hate. The villans and action sequences are disappointing but the feel that New Ares (Mars?) has is quite nice. The alien "locals" are also well done. I wish they'd do more animated mini-series based upon novels, it would much improve the quality of animation on television.

Red Planet the animated miniseries based upon the novel by RAH is a mixed bag. I'd have liked it to have been more faithful to the book but it is pretty good for what it is. There is a lot to like and a lot to hate. The villans and action sequences are disapointing but the feel that New Ares (Mars?) has is quite nice. The alien "locals" are also well done. I wish they'd do more animated miniseries based upon novels, it would much improve the quality of animation on television.

As a kid, I loved reading Heinlein's stories, many of which were ahead of their time in terms of inclusivity, diversity, and promoting various ethnicities, races, and religions, not common during the period in which he wrote.

Some of his books still hold up well today, this adaption being one of them. The animation is good, particularly the scenes showing the Locals, the voice work is solid, especially Roddy McDowell as the strict headmaster and Nick Tate as the evil incarnate boss of the mining colony.

Now, the bad part--or is it bad? For one, the planet is New Aries, not Mars. Why? There are inconsistencies in the atmosphere...some scenes, the characters wear space suits, but the planet has Earth-like storms and weather. And the central plot has been changed to one of economic greed. That in and of itself isn't bad, but it's not like the book.

However, this is basic Heinlein for young kids, and it imparts an economic message without being preachy. And for that reason, this is a movie worth seeing.

This is an eco-anime, it's story is very good, and well put together, it still holds up in 2019