Uchû shô e yôkoso

Version I saw: (subtitled) UK DVD release (projected) Actors: 6/10 Plot/script: 6/10 Photography/visual style: 7/10 Music/score: 6/10 Overall: 7/10 Welcome to the Space Show is a Japanese anime movie. Although (despite what some ignorant people will tell you) there are many such works which are targeted at an adult audience, with deep characterization, complex themes and the like, WttSS is most definitely a kids' film. It evokes Japanese classics like My Neighbour Totoro and Galaxy Express 999, as well as American fare such as ET, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Star Wars and The Goonies. You may note that these are all from the 70s and 80s, and indeed, it does seem to represent a bygone era of innocence, when cinematic kids were not wise-cracking and genre savvy. All this was presented with a bold, colourful visual style that comes from the most modern computer graphics. I found this really rather charming.

Unfortunately, the film has problems with pacing. It moves very slowly for large chunks, which might be okay, but there are also confusing rushes of plot and exposition, as well as frenetic action scenes that seem a bit out of place. The whole finale is a big action scene that goes on FAR too long, reminding me painfully of Katsuhiro Otomo's disappointing steampunk anime film Steamboy.

I have my doubts that kids would have much patience for this, and may end up bored and restless despite the colour, life and good characters with whom they can identify. For my part, I found it good, but it could have been so much better.

Overload of imagination. It is very sad that it has been 4 years since it was launched. The amount of details put on every single scene with the endless imagination and possibilities have taken me back to the young children days. Adults will be surprised by how much effort have been put into making this. Surely one of the most underrated in IMDb that i have seen so far.

Sound tracks, animation, voice actors are 10/10. Story and plot 8/10.

I would love a sequel of this and recommend it to those who love imaginative animation, the best imagination and creativity so far. Unique, fabulous and original.

Visually stunning! Confusing story, but hey, we are talking about aliens living in the dark side of the moon :D Teaches kids how to deal with difficult situations, and care about each other, not to be so egotistical.

Came for the title, stayed for the epic journey.

The mixed reviews over the film and length are disappointing, this is fantastic. Voice acting, animation, pace, characters, and plot are all well-orchestrated.

Merging story-lines in the beginning is fun, the student-teacher is very believable, and the childhood errors and interactions hit the mark as well.

Strong tones of equal empowerment of genders and admirable work-ethic, however there's a few old fashion characters. This is a journey of finding yourself.

I don't want to give away any spoilers but...

Easily the most underrated animated movie I've seen in a long time.

To give you an idea of what this movie is like: Imagine an animated movie that combines everything you liked about The Goonies, The Adventurers, and E. T. and have it directed by Spielberg and Tim Burton and I imagine it would be something like this. Great character development and a wonderful story with a fun adventure kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next.

I thought this was absolutely incredible and am going to watch it again. I can't believe this movie is over ten years old and have never even heard of it - and how superficial some of the reviews here are.

I'm reading reviews here that say things like "It's a kids movie" like it's a bad thing. This is a "kid's movie" in the same vein that The Wizard of Oz or Spirited Away are kid's movies.

I definitely recommend you give this one a shot. It's a visual feast and a heartfelt adventure story that blew me away.

Note: I watched the English dubbed version and was very impressed with the voice acting. I loved thought the musical score was wonderful, too.

Edit: Just want to add that at the time of this writing 6/19/2021 it is free to watch on Amazon Prime - also where I watched it. You may be able to find it on YouTube as well.