Kidô senshi Z Gundam - A New Translation: Hoshi wo tsugumono

Many Gundam fans consider Zeta their, by far, favorite series. It's dark, it's depressing, many character relationships, and a lot of old favorites (like Amuro, Char, and even Katz) unite under the same banner.

A New Translation refines and gives glory to the aging series, for a new generation. As discussed in previous posts, much of it got a nice face lift, but allow me to summarize what to expect (along with my sole gripe).

The series primarily opens and follows the path of Camille, a young boy driven by his emotions. Living under the opening oppression of the Titans, Camille steals one of their prototype gundams (the MKII), and is recruited by the Anti-Earth United Government (AEUG). It is here that we begin seeing familiar faces. All characters suffer and witness many hardships through their battles and grow stronger in their commitment and abilities (mainly Camille developing his Newtype abilities).

Having seen the original episodes that correspond with the movie, I can tell you not much has been left out or changed. A few scenes are shortened, and the ones left out feel more like a deleted scene extra that many DVDs have. Also, only one major plot point was delayed until later but it still eventually occurred. My only gripe is that things do begin moving faster and faster, but not enough to get lost (until III, which I'll comment on as well).

If you've seen the original Zeta, definitely pick this up, it'll be nostalgic seeing it in modern glory.

If you've seen other gundams, but never Zeta, be hesitant. If you're still enthusiastic about seeing Zeta, try movie I, and if it interests you, pick up the rest. If this route is taken, be prepared to look up additional summaries and FAQs as the trilogy progresses (I do believe MAHQ has the original Zeta episode summaries).

If you're new to anime and wanna see a gundam after something you saw on Cartoon Network, do NOT begin with this, you'll be beyond lost. Try watching the UC gundams in their time line order: 0079 (original trilogy is very good), 08th MS Team, 0080 (my personal favorite), 0083, then Zeta, ZZ, Char's Counter Attack, and if you're still feeling excited, V.

If you're not into anime, why would you even be reading this?

Movie versions of Gundam shows are very common. Ever since the Mobile Suit Gundam Movie Trilogy which covered the first Gundam show and was released just a year after the show had ended, movie versions have followed with most being good and others being not bad but not good either to being a complete bastardization.

After the Turn-A Gundam and Gundam SEED movies which weren't as good as they would thought to be, once the Zeta films were announced, fans were happy but were braced for the worse at the same time, luckily that wasn't the case. The first part of Zeta Gundam – A New Translation opens with similarities compared to Mobile Suit Gundam Movie I of the first Gundam trilogy. Because of that, this movie is good in all respect.

One of the highlights in movie versions is new animation. In the Zeta movie(s), there is three different animations: old animation digitally remastered, old animation with CG tweaks, & completely new digital animation. Telling apart what was new and old was easy from both age and who were the animators from 1985 and now. The remastered animation was clean. The difference between 1979's 0079 animation and 1985's animation from the Zeta series is that the animation from the first show didn't age well.

It's very easy to tell the difference from old to new. I had no problem from changing from seeing Camille from 1985 to seeing Camille from today. The new mecha animation sequences were superb, especially the last part of the movie (last 10+ min) where 95+% was new. But still, the old doesn't hurt the new nor vice versa.

For the music: the movie uses the same music from the TV series version. It sounded great and fit the part for this dark and serious series when I first saw it, and it's the same for the movies. Although, I could be wrong, but it sounded like the music was newly recorded. But that might not be the case. The sound effects were the updated traditional anime sounds. It wasn't like the first series' trilogy from the DVD, since they didn't need it. Both of Gackt's songs (played at OP and ED credits) were good.

As for the storyline, the storyline is told clear. You understand the story, the characters, the actions and feel for the reactions and their results. However, the only thing that I would consider a flaw of sorts is the first five minutes. The first five is told in a fast pace that while it doesn't affect the overall point in the movie, it does make people crinch, even for people who are new and didn't see the show the first time around.

Overall, Zeta Gundam – A New Translation – Heirs of the Stars opens with promise not only for old fans that have seen the old shows, but for the new fans who are experiencing Gundam SEED. Before; the Turn-A movies suffered because they crammed so much story of the first act and half of the second act in the first film because they didn't have a third part, just two parts. The Gundam SEED movies suffered because of editing and unresolved points in the whole story. We were braced for the worse no matter what good we heard. But now; the first of the Zeta movies opens with no problems that echo the previous films.

The Gundam compilation movies are fun again.

This...this movie is an interesting thing. First off, if you aren't familiar with the animated UC Gundam Universe then you will be lost. However, if you've seen the movie trilogy and at least the early Zeta episodes then the magic of this movie will not be lost on you.

The movie is about Camille Vidan as he gets sucked into the war with the Titans and the AEUG. That's it. Simple? Well Gundam fans know that its the ride not the destination, never the destination, and this ride has a few bumps, primarily pacing. Get passed pacing and the appearance of a few characters, items, and the repetition of a few things that fans would know, then you'll be fine.

That's it for the negatives. That's it. Great Huh? The movie has a great story that will be told as a trilogy, as it should. The music is fantastic. A couple of old themes, the intro and outro done by Gackt are amazing, even more so if you are a Gackt fan. But the animation? Well...

It's...

Wow. This some of the most gorgeous animation since Gundam Evolve 5 and 6, and it is done in such as way as to be noticeable but not jarring. Quick cuts, and long isolated scenes are what it is limited to and it works very well. In fact, the whole final sequence is almost entirely new footage and it only adds to the movie. The animation never takes away, and that I am thankful for.

Again, this movie will not be enjoyed by non-fans as much as fans, but if you are a fan it is a must see, non-fans pass and watch the original movie trilogy or even read the novels then come back. You'll be rewarded.