Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles

Picking up where the original series left off, Scott Bernard continues his search for Rick Hunter and the fate of the SDF-3.

I was kinda bored and I found this movie on the internet and i suppose it actually did it's purpose for entertaining me.

Yes, I'm a Robotech fan from the 80's. But I can honestly say that I've long since forgotten most of the storyline and am not an avid anime watcher.

That being said, the movie immediately jogged my memory of where Robotech: New Generations had left off. It does not, however, lend itself to engage new viewers of the series since the main job of the movie, which is accomplished quite successfully, is to rekindle the nostalgia of the old movies while attempting to transition into the new storyline.

So yes, young kids who are watching Robotech for the first time probably won't equate this movie to say, Beauty and the Beast, because by design, the movie is not easy to pick up and watch. The movie is not a stand alone. There is no complete plot. It literally transitions from New Generations onto the Shadow Chronicles.

Numerous characters that fans will recognize pop up here and there. Shadow Chronicles does a masterful job of connecting the viewer to the characters since the protagonists they choose to follow are literally kin to some of our most beloved characters from the previous series.

The plot, although not quite seamless, does summarize the three-way relationship between Invid-Robotech Masters-Humans. It also introduces another element to the equation, dubbed the "Children of the Shadow." Although the movie does not fully explain who the "Children" are, you seem to get the feeling that all subsequent episodes will address this issue and go in-depth to detailing the Children's place and motive. Again, the plot is intentionally inconclusive so that it can eventually transition into perhaps a full blown series.

The animation is entertaining. Mixed usage of 2D and 3D CGI graphics are awkward at first, but blend in once the story unfolds. In fact, I found the CGI annoying at first, but after a while, I got used to it and actually found myself pleasantly amused. The one downside of the CGI is that I've seen better in a lot of movies and video games, so I do feel somewhat shortchanged. I don't want to be unfair by saying that it's not good, but at the same time you can tell that it's no Pixar production.

Ultimately, I will say that if you're into Robotech, you will probably enjoy this movie a lot. If you have no idea what Robotech is, you'll probably feel mixed, a little confused, but perhaps eager to find out more. Overall, the movie is entertaining if it's understood that it is not, again, a stand alone. And to its credit, I found myself thoroughly enjoying it and wishing that they would continue the saga just so that I can get myself back into the story and get some closure on the unsatisfying end to New Generations.

The last half of my "growing up" years included Robotech and I enjoyed the series. There was a style that I enjoyed and it helped me discover anime. Watching Shadow Chronicles does not fully capture that style and it is entirely a "Hollywood" production than something adapted and remade for a North American audience. For a newcomer to the anime scene, one would not suspect its Japanese origins unless one does the research or watches a behind the scenes documentary.

Production-wise, Shadow Chronicles borrows from what is now hip in the SF television genre scene—like the Battlestar Galactica 2005/6 style battle sequences and the CG replacing traditional cel animation / model elements. That is what distinguishes it from the original series. While there is nothing wrong with that, it does not lend well to a series that is trying to pick up from what was done 20 something years ago. Robotech Sentinels, ironically enough, does a better job of capturing that style.

I have always been a Robotech fan. After seeing too many animated GI Joe characters parachute to safety it was nice to watch a show that respected that I could handle viewing a war-based cartoon where people actually died.

For "Shadow Chronicles," the movie-masters seemed to be serious about giving the Robotech fans what they want. Overall, the movie was okay but it seems like they missed some of the finer things that made the original show so endearing.

The first thing that fans like about Robotech is the Mecha. Jets that turn into robots = awesome. Motorcycles that turn into robots = awesome. Tanks that grow legs and hop around = not so awesome, and that is why season 2 is weak. I was excited to see cool Mecha in Shadow Chronies but was a little disappointed. The fighters and Cyclones are still cool and the alien ships are pretty cool but nothing AWESOME. The CG really could have been better in a lot of the scenes with vehicles.

The second thing fans like about Robotech, I believe, is the Drama. Like Rick Hunter innocently meeting Minmei and then being stranded with her in the depths of the SDF1. And it doesn't stop there... suddenly Minmei breaks into song, then they catch a giant space-tuna (just the head), then they rebuild Macross city INSIDE the ship... how about a beauty contest?... a trip to a lingerie store?... or aliens that spaz out every time they see a guy and a girl kiss? How about Yellow Dancer doing a strip tease to reveal that he's a dude in drag? Shadow Chronicles didn't seem to have any bizarre drama that the fans like so much. It was all battle strategy. I know that a lot of the quirky stuff derives from the original show being made from three completely unrelated Japanese cartoon shows but somehow, IT WORKED, and the model should be followed.

And how about more rock music? And an original NEW song? Chase Masterson has a good voice, I think she is up to the challenge.

There are people out here who want MORE Robotech. Overall, every aspect of this movie was at least OK. It's nice that fans of the show made the movie. It's nice that a lot of the original voice cast is back. This can be a good first step into an awesome new Robotech series. Keep it going and don't mess it up.

I really loved the movie and how it was written. It was scripted specifically for fans of the series who needed that empty void filled. I know many of you probably waited almost 20 years for this. As for myself I just finished the series in the summer and fell in loved with the series and cried at the ending or lack of.

I won't give any spoilers away but they do a good job of explaining whats happened so far and finishing it up. The new characters feel like they would fit perfectly into the Robotech Sagas. The art itself was really impressive, instead of going for the most glamorous visuals everything looked exactly like the original. Aside from a more detailed and clean picture the art itself resembles the show.

Well the release date is coming soon and I'm definitely gonna pick it up. For those who weren't fortunate enough to see a sneak peak, the wait is well worth it. Considering some of you have been waiting for as long as I've been alive (I'm 20)