Robotech E5: Masters 2 - Elements Of Robotechnology V

Rating:
Summary: What could have been...
Review: This disc, originally packaged with the fifth volume of the "Robotech: The Legacy" DVD box set series, features the first episode of the English-language rendition of `Macross' before it was incorporated into the Robotech saga and re-dubbed. Until now, the only way to get this rare piece of anime was via eBay for a legitimate VHS tape-- which was very expensive-- or the bootleg market. This pilot has the same voice actors in the same roles, and most of the original dialogue spoken here remained intact in the Robotech re-do. Also included are a few scenes that were eventually trimmed from the Robotech rendition. Unless you're a really observant viewer of the show, the restored parts may pass you by without a second thought.

Also included are a few bits of media regarding the unreleased and largely-unseen `Robotech: The Movie', most of which didn't impress me all that much. Both the teaser trailer and music video (3 Dog Night's "In My Heart") weren't all that spectacular, and contained only `Southern Cross' footage that was cannibalized and stuck into the film. None of the cannibalized `Megazone 23, Part 1' scenes (check out MegaZone 23 Part 1 on DVD at www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000228SYQ/qid=1097458369/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-8646183-3962510?v=glance&s=dvd ) are present. The Robotech movie animatic is basically the dialogue & sound track from the end of the movie, with shots of the corresponding rough storyboard sketches. This little bit of anime proto-cinema is probably one of the only moments from the movie that'll ever see a legitimate video release. Don't feel too bad about this revelation, though; I've seen `Robotech: The Movie', and believe you me, you're not missing out on much.

Also included on the bonus platter are several sketches of various Southern Cross body armor & transports that never made it into the finished series. Most of the body armor designs are reminiscent of Samurai uniforms & the robots of M.S. Gundam. And, like the previous bonus platters, this one includes a few clips dubbed in French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Bottom line: this one's a good addition to the collection of the curious Robo-Techie who's interested in seeing what might have been with the Macross segment of the series. For the not-so-curious, this one's worth at least a rental. Good luck trying to find this on the shelves of your fave local rental place, however; this isn't something they're likely to have in stock...

`Late