Rating: 
Summary: An excellent film
Review: Honneamise is an excellent film with powerful characters and an intriguing world. To dismiss this as a cartoon is to entirely miss the point. The meticulously detailed world (down to its unique toothbrush design) could not be readily crafted in live action. The story recounts the efforts of a nation in another world to launch the first manned spacecraft, and the personal journey of the pilot, Shiro Lhadatt, who dreamed of being a jet pilot but failed due to his grades, and ended up in the ridiculed Royal Space Force. A chance encounter sets him, uneasily, on the path to space, whatever his nation's leaders' cynical plots and manipulations (or the low expectations his superiors have of him). Perhaps the most important point about this film is that it doesn't try to explain itself: it tells its story and lets the viewer discern its meaning. It is a film for adults to view and think about, and those are few and far between. Above and beyond that, it is often breathtakingly beautiful.Technically, this movie is outstanding. The quality of the animation is superb. The character designs are unusual and even if not attractive at first glance, endearing and expressive. The voice acting of the English dub is outstanding; in particular, the voice of Shiro is more than capable of carrying the story (as the needs to be). The music is unusual, but meshes perfectly with the unique vision of the world as drawn. As an aside, there is a very brief shot of nudity late in the tale, but it is integral to the tale of Shiro.
Rating:
Summary: A true classic
Review: This anime is one of the few true classics of this medium. Most animes are easily dated by the technology depicted, this one will not be so easily left behind, as it already depicts a time historical to us but also on another world. The plot is mundane, quite ordinary, not out of the realm of possibilities but all the same engrossing. The comedy takes a back stage but is not completely nonexistant as there are quite a few moments that will make you chuckle. Where this anime truly shines is the exquisite character development and design. The characters seem truly real to the viewer. It takes you in so that you actually care what happens to them. Some of the greatest animes of all time will be but memories later on, this one should be remembered and still watched for a long time to come. Extremely highly reccomended
Rating: 
Summary: Expensive and worth-while film.
Review: Honneamise was Gainax's first movie -- and could have very well been their last. At a cost of 8 billion Yen, this production was the most expensive anime project at that time. The money spent of this movie really shows -- for this film's animation quality is something that is rarely seen, even after some 12 years since its initial release. Writer / director Yamaga Hiroyuki has created an wonderfully complex and diverse world, very much like our own, as his canvas for this "what if" fairy tale of a world's first attempts to launch a man into space. His world is one which has gone through the Earth equivalent of the Stone, Bronze and Iron ages, faced its version of the Industrial revolution, and is now facing the parallel of World War II. While aspects of the language and objects depicted this film may be non-human, you find yourself strangely familiar with everything -- almost as if you may have seen this world in a different lifetime. The brilliance of this approach is that there are no distractions by providing familiar, historical points of reference. Instead, the philosophical themes are allowed to shine through the script, their messages strangely resonating against the backdrops of a not-so alien world. Characterisations are very detached -- almost docu-drama in feel. But this 'arms-length' protrayal of both Shiro and Leiquinni (the religious devotee for whom Lhadatt falls) in no way diminishes their roles in the movie. Like many other elements in this film, each character has their own piece of history -- some things are hinted, others are explored in depth. (Speaking of characters -- the characters designs are refreshingly different from your typical anime fare. While they're not photorealistic, they do have facial features not normally seen in a Japanese production. Leiquinni, for example, has a real nose!) Music, composed by renowned artist Sakamoto Ryuichi, is one area that I found rather disappointing. While the soundtrack helps move the show along, it seemed uninspired -- somewhat repetetive, and included as almost an afterthought. The animation is where this production really shines. It's not particularily notable in frame rates, but it is richly detailed, and even more importantly, exceptionally well composed. Animation director Hideaki Anno utilizes dramatic angles and strong backgrounds to provide a richly illustrated world in turmoil. (Several scenes were obviously modelled after popular science-fiction movies). There are some instances where the frame composition seemed strangely out-of-place -- most notably during the final battle scene, with enemy ground forces advancing on the launch site. The direct close-ups of the infantrymen didn't portray the same level of dimension and depth as the rest of the movie. While this is a minor item, it does illustrate an interesting facet of filmmaking: if movies scenes are composed exceptionally well, the mere presence of any sub-standard scene will appear blatantly ordinary in comparison. And the animation itself? Breathtaking. The final scenes are simply a joy to watch. Aircraft behave like real aircraft. Explosions scatter shrapnel. And then there's the launch itself. Painstakingly rendered with assistance from NASA's film archives. The efforts of the animators are most rewarding to the viewers. Surprisingly, the English dubbed version is acceptable -- the actors sound bored, but otherwise, they're inoffensive. And give credit to the folks at Manga Entertainment. They didn't even try to re-work the Royal Space Force Anthem, which is a mixed blessing. It's not a great piece to begin with; but by not doing anything with it, they didn't make things worse. The major draw-back with the dub: the final dialog by Shiro is already a fairly trite and preachy speech. The strained English voice-over version is even more so. In the end, the real star of this production is the story itself. It's ambitious to a fault, plods uncomfortably slow at times, and ends on a weak editorialising note, but I found that this in no way diminishes this film's intent. Technology may grow, but if human nature does not grow with it, we are destined to be no better than the wielders of stone knives and bear-skin clothing. A most worthy message, in a most satisfying movie.
Rating:
Summary: A dreamy flight almost worthy of Hayao Miyazaki
Review: This is one of the most well-crafted science fiction feature I have ever seen, with its every little details in all the massive machinery in a shipbuilding factory and the whole setting itself, including a single flickering letter in the bar's neon sign downtown. And it is very adult as well, yet it still has a hazy halo of childlike innocence and wonder about it especially where the happy-go-lucky young pilot named Shiro tries out a new, curious-looking aircraft and thus experiences the real exhilaration of soaring freely amongst the sunlit clouds in the bright blue sky. The plot itself seems to be a wish fulfillment for Japan to be the very first nation to reach the outer space even though the real-life astronauts are already riding off in space shuttles by the time this film is made. And what is more, the sweet-faced Shiro could have been a well-celebrated and much-loved hero, yet...(POSSIBLE SPOILER) he just went and poured all of his virtue down the drain when he brutally forced himself onto the timid young nun in a country house. Too bad - but now the big lug had smeared his very own reputation which would've otherwise been quite pure and childlike. Now for the rest of the whole film, poor Shiro would be seen as a perverted creep by the disgruntled female viewers. (END OF SPOILER) But nevertheless, it's quite a nice fantasy adventure that follows a brave hero through all his wacky exploits that Hayao Miyazaki himself would have dreamed up.
Rating:
Summary: A Film You Will Never Forget!
Review: When I fisrt watched this film I couldn't believe that I was watching just an animated film. Most Hollywood blockbusters don't even possess a fraction of the emotional drama that this film contained. Set on a alien world, and a diffrent time, humans have yet to sucsessfully launch into space. The main Character Shiro a member of the ridiculed Royal Space Force becomes motivated by a timid woman, whom preaches the word of god, to become the first man in space. From this point on the film goes through the build of the ship, the training Shiro must preform and the sacrifices that are made to see a dream become a reality. The musical score and the animation are some of the best I have ever seen and heard. The vision of humanity in this film is one that will have you contemplating the subject for weeks. I was able to get my little sister, whom hates animated films, to see this movie. After the last scene she told me herself that it was one of the best movies she had ever seen. I would sugest this film to anyone whom wants to see an epic drama with the back drop of science fiction.
Rating: 
Summary: Just a tad slow for my taste.
Review: This film has received several awards ranging from animation to artistic value. While it does have excellent special effects, there is definitely something missing in the plot. The story line is contiguous, and there are a couple of parts in the movie that have some humor. The downfall of the movie, in my opinion, is that there is somewhat of a heavy religious undertone. I believe there was only one good action scene in the film in which an assassin chases the main character through the city. Other than that, the movie was, without a doubt, made for the Animae fans that enjoy more artistic movies than action movies. So, for those fans looking for an action movie or a film that they can stay attached to, don't stop here. There are some good parts, but you can also find a crust of bread in a trashcan, but I wouldn't advise looking in there.
Rating: 
Summary: Too slow for my taste
Review: I'm going to go along with Roger Ebert and give this Movie 3 stars... for effort. I'm not going to explain it to deeply, as the plot summary pretty much covers it. I personally thought this movie was abit on the dull side. We have a bunch of misfit soliders, in a military type originaization that is considered a joke to the regular Armed forces. We spend an hour and a half trying to get this space ship put together, with the side plot of Shiro and this religious girl whose street preaching all the people seem to ignore. Then in the last half hour of the movie, it finally takes a turn when a neigboring country launches an invasion to try and get control of the Rocket ship. But during the battle Shiro launches and gets the ship into orbit (Whoopie) then the movie crash dives at the end. En all, the story is an extremely slow paced drama with a little action thrown in. If ya like this type of movie, then it's worth getting, but it's not all it's cracked up to be.
Rating:
Summary: Anime version of "The Right Stuff"
Review: This anime is as different from a hentai anime ("Ninja Scroll" - the greatest of Hentai anime BTW) as it may get. The movie may seem slow at first, but the intricate plot, well-drawn characters, underlying philosophy of science vs. religion, and virtuoso animation (Wow!) will move you emotionally and keep you visually spellbound to the last frame. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Anime's best--period.
Review: Princess Mononoke, Ninja Scroll, Akira....all great films. But Wings of Honneamise is the best animated film to come from Japan--ever. A gripping story, thoroughly believeable characters, staggeringly powerful animation (check out the launch sequence!) make this film stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the best SF ever made. A true example of what can be achieved with animation besides just doing song-and-dance routines or busty babes or foul-mouthed kids. Will everyone like it? Of course not. But if you like animation, anime, or are complaining about the lack of good science fiction out there, do yourself a favor--quit griping and check this movie out.
Rating:
Summary: Another world. Same lives.
Review: It was a very strange experience watching Wings of Honneamise. The story started out fairly slow, so I just kept up with the dialogues and try to grasp the plot and its surroundings. And at some point, I lost track of everything and became completely hypnotized into its world. How did that happen? This is what I think. There's nothing spectacular about the storyline. Rather, it is straight forward and plain. But that seems to be the secret ingredient in this film. It deals with something subtle, yet quite meaningful; our daily lives. The film is about a man, living in another world not unlike earth, trying to be the first one in space, while everything else around him is falling apart from the war and politics. It revolves around how he deals with ambition, worries, stress, happiness, religion, friendship, and even love. And because of the commonality of underlying theme, I felt drawn to the main character, his world and his dreams. When the movie was over, and the hypnotism wore off, I didn't think too much of other amazing elements in Wings of Honneamise, such as spectacular graphics and incredible rocket launch sequence. All I could think of was the portrayal of a man who would do anything to live out his dream, travelling beyond the bounds of sky. A portrayal, not too far off from that of our own.
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