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Mobile Suit Gundam - The Battle Begins (Vol .1, Uncut Edition)

Mobile Suit Gundam - The Battle Begins (Vol .1, Uncut Edition)

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Sci-Fi at its best
Review: Like a lot of other American Gundam fans, I was introduced to the franchise through Gundam Wing, one of the first Gundam series to be brought to the States and aired on Cartoon Network. Although I still prefer Wing, this series is superior in many ways; more detailed setting, more realistic mechas, etc. I won't rehash the plot here, since you can read about it in the other reviews, including Amazon's own. For anyone not familiar with Gundam, it's a long-running anime franchise that has sort of similar status in Japan to die-hard franchises like Star Trek or Star Wars in the United States (indeed, Gundam has a number of similar elements to both of them). It's one of the first anime to try to show mechas (i.e. giant robots) in a more realistic manner than the old super robot shows of 1970's, and also to add in some real human drama along with the action. One of the interesting things about Gundam is its moral ambiguity; it's clear pretty early that the Earth Federation are the good guys of the story and that the Principality of Zeon are the aggressors, but you realize quickly that things aren't that simple. While the young crew of the White Base is certainly likable over all, their superiors are often portrayed as corrupt, abrasive, and unsympathetic. The Zeon characters, on the other hand, are often very likable people doing what they think is right. The show's primary villain, Char Aznable, is a compelling and fascinating character, at times more sympathetic than his rival, the show's hero, Amuro Ray. With the exception of the Zabi family in the later stages of the series (and not even all of them), there are few clear-cut "good guys" or "bad guys" in the show, which makes its portrayal of war all the more realistic. Indeed, Gundam is almost relentlessly anti-war, focusing less on the excitement and glory of the battles than on toll it takes on the soldiers and those who lose loved ones in the fighting. The Zeon also make a fascinating case; starting out as a movement only seeking independence from a corrupt regime (the Earth Federation), they are turned by the ambitious Zabi family into Nazi-esque aggressors. (The Newtype supremacy talk of Gihren Zabi near the end is really chilling.) They provide a great example of a just cause gone tragically wrong.
Granted, the show has its weak points. The animation is dated at best, and the music and sound effects could be charitably described as "amusing". The pacing is also not the best; the middle part of the show tends to drag a bit. The end feels a bit rushed, likely because it was cancelled early and the writers needed to hurry to wrap up the plot. Despite those things, Mobile Suit Gundam is still a classic, a true space opera with great characters and a lot to say.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: nothing to complain about
Review: ... The animation is typical of the time period, and the dubs are far better than most other anime. No matter who the English voice actors are, people are still going to be displeased with their performance. ... As for the story, it is excellent. The detail is true to real life scenarios (as if any of this could actually happen)...hypothetically speaking, of course. For instance, when Amuro first engaged in aerial combat, he shot at enemy mobile suits from White Base's docking bay first rather than heading out without a second thought. This to me indicated apprehension rather than pompousness which is so common. Also, and this applies to most Gundam series, it shows an extreme human aspect to war. Human emotions and struggles are shown behind the atrocities of war and add feelings of empathy to both sides of the battlefield. Another thing that the creators have done is to show Zeon as more than just the heartless and cruel "enemy" (especially apparent in 08th MS Team). The Zeon is an extremely likable force that is worthy of admiration and not disdain. They are more than evil conquerors. They are people who even show their emotional side. Ramba Ral is perhaps one of the best examples I can think of, and I was deeply disappointed when he died because I grew to like his character very much. Additionally, the mobile suits seem to acquire characteristics of their own depending on the pilot inside. They are more than just manmade machines. For instance, Char's Zaku is red, and whenever I see a red Zaku I associate it with Char's superior combat abilities, who was thusly and aptly named The Red Comet. So you see, Gundam is more than the average mecha anime. Unlike other series, there are no philosophical debates that lead to nowhere, no magic or sorcery, but just human emotions that play a huge part in the war that progresses in each episode. Mecha battles are not the sole factor to Gundam's success or story (although it sure does help), as can be clearly understood upon watching this series. ...

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The real thing.
Review: At last. American youth and adult alike final get to experience the classic epic sci-fi military saga that revolutionize the whole Anime genera.

This is the real thing. Forget about Gundam Wing, this is the *real* Gundam timeline with the real classic character which all the other alt. series based upon on. In my opinion, the UC century which started with this series is the only series worth checking out. The we get Zeta Gundam, Double Zeta, Char's Counter Attack, etc...

The original 1979/1980 animation might not be up to today's drawing quality, but it's also pure emotion. You grow to love and identify with the characters. I certainly did when I grow up watching this.

As far as I know, I don't think the series is in fully DVD released in Japan. I have this series in Japanese LD format which was re-released a few years ago. Again, this is a mut buy for new and old Gundam fan alike

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Who cares what language it is in!
Review: Buy this for no other reason than to get Bandai to release Zeta Gundam, G Gundam, Turn A Gundam, and all the other great Gundam shows out there. I would buy them all, heck I even have the Movies in their original Japanese even though I am not fluent in the language.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Buy ONLY if you are an AVID fan of this series!!!
Review: Don't get me wrong, I loved the movies (which are the 49 episodes of this series compacted into 3 movies). But, an English dub (which is always asking for trouble) to a 20 year old series? This is a great deal if you really like the series, but if you are a newer fan to Anime or Gundam, this isnt for you. The animation is old, I mean old. The story is what keeps you interested. I would suggest you see an episode or 2 if you dont know what this is.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: An Anime Classic
Review: Here it is. The series that started the Gundam tradition. Most people will complain and say that the animation is outdated and crummy, but they'll miss out on this classic. The animation is not too bad, but it's not the best. The animation for the Mobile Suits aren't too shabby, though I say the Zeong is a little flaky. The story is great and really pulls you in the Gundam universe. The audio, however, is the Achilles heel here. The characters voices' sound very strained at times and the music is just atrocious. Despite those 2 shortcomings, this is definitely worth checking out if you 've watched Gundam Wing to death.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: An Epic, but Intolerable
Review: I am not thrashing Mobile Suit Gundam. I've been around it since I was a little kid, and am a big Gundam fan. However, the dub for this was TERRIBLE!!! For those of you hard-core anime fans who want the original series, I suggest one of two things: Buy this and associated DVDs and watch it in Japanese ONLY (w/ subs) or... Save your money and watch the bloody thing on Cartoon Network. If you still aren't satisfied, just pick up the movie trilogy. The dub is much more prepared in the movie version and the voice acting is more realistic, not the tweaked out voices you hear on TV. The English version of Mobile Suit Gundam was completely rushed. I'm giving it an extra star because all of the footage that is not in the movies is incredible. The scene in which Garma is "assasinated" doesn't come until the second or third DVD, but is very, very, very much more fulfilling. And I can't wait to see the Odessa campaign and the Battle of A Bau A Qou.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Great Film but the dubbing was trash!!
Review: I cannot believe myself that I'm giving my most beloved anime series of all time 3 stars. But Bandai are at fault!! The 3 star I gave I refer to the quality of this DVD. The series itself, without doulbt, is one of the best of all time.

In fact, the only real Gundam worth watching is the early Univeral Century time-line. The entire chronicle starting with Mobile Suit Gundam, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam Double Zeta and lastly "Char's Counterattack" with "Gundam - The 08th MS Team", "Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket" and "Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory" as side-shows.

I disapprove new Gundam rubbish with hugh female fan-base like Wing Gundam (why the hell a robot need a wing in the first place anyway??). Anyway, back to the DVD issue. First of all, the dubbing is Nightmare!! It taken those characters out of their personality. Secondly, why omitted the original Japanese soundtrack?? Surely if dubbing was bad, then you should have the freedom to try the alternative, but no, they want to choke up to death.

I feel sad for those who waited for this series to be release in the US. As a life-long fan, I feel sad that the series doesn't get the treatment it deserved. Bandai, if you can read this. Then release a fully restored, digitally remastered, with digital soundtrack it deserve, and not some cheap quick fix, rip-off like this one

Those of you, who haven't seen original Gundam series before. I think the good starting point is the three movie. Then it is up to you whether you would like to get the extended Episodes or not. I mean, Bandai plan is that once you got to see the well presented movie set, you going to crave for more and buy the crappy release extended series (if you read this, let it be known that we are not stupid, just go and release proper stuff)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Better than that AC garbage
Review: I really enjoy MSG. It's a real classic compared to that AC garbage. It has a great storyline and good animation for a 70's show. The picture is all cleaned up and it has new visual effects a couple of new sound effects. It has a pretty bad dubbing but the story is better than Wing. I hope they release the movie version of MSG out on DVD. I especially like the ending.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Could of been better
Review: I think its great that they are now releasing the original Gundam series on DVD for the North American public, but this will only have the usually bad english dub on it. I would only suggest this if you do enjoy Gundam, and you don't mind not having the original Japanese translation and voice acting.


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