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Escaflowne - The Movie

Escaflowne - The Movie

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Worth watching once in your life
Review: A lot of fans who have seen this movie are more familar with the Escaflowne series than the former. I guess I fall into this category myself. When I first spotted images of the movie, it didn't exactly catch my eye. The animation is a lot different to the TV series (I probably say something similar to the comparison of the Rurouni Kenshin OVAs to the RK series). Who cares about the pointed noses in the Escaflowne TV series? Anyway I digress...:P

The movie is a lot different compared to the TV series. The plotline of Hitomi going to Gaea still remains but she enters the world differently (okay finding yourself inside Escaflowne the Guymelef is scary). The real flaw about this movie was that there wasn't enough character development. I found Hitomi's character weaker than I normally see her in the series. Things went fast, especially when Hitomi fell in love with Van soon after he saved her with his wings unleashed. Since the animation is different, the characters looked different too. Millerna had a sword but never used it, which was a shame really. Gaddes had knives instead of a sword and Allen wore a headband across his forehead plus didn't pop up as much in the movie -- like a lot of other people.

Van seems to be more hotheaded and have a larger thrill for violence (really, seeing him chop people's arms off and blowing up Dilandau's horse with powers, surely that's a more violent Van). Dilandau is so scary, as is Folken. These two looked evil I have to say and I couldn't exactly appreciate them as characters as I normally would. Dilandau, Folken, Van and the rest of the Ryuugekitai seem to have special powers which they didn't have in the series. You also see more of Jajuka's loyalty towards Dilandau, who is much more informal to his guardian/servant and does slap him near the beginning.

The action between Van and Dilandau's Guymelefs was breathtaking and I was stuck in my chair as I watched the action breeze by in the movie. Apart from action, there was great music. Kanno Yoko, you are a Goddess in composing music.

The movie in general was a challenge to watch and I did point out some flaws and good points although it is something I wouldn't sit through again. I would have given the movie a 2 star rating however the extra star was for the great music and for making Gaddes look rather handsome (damn he looks good with those knives XD and he looks so much more like Wolfwood off Trigun. LOL). Allen looks okay as well even though he didn't get much screen time XD.

The story went too fast IMO and the pace of how the characters met or interacted could have been done slower like in the TV series. So, if you are someone who has seen the series, you may as well take a peek at this movie once in your life. If you have never seen the series, watch the movie and then compare the series after that. There are many missing holes in terms of character and story.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: A Complete flop. (or) The movie that should not have been.
Review: This was an accident. To anyone who watched the series, regardless of how well you liked it, avoid this movie like the plague. Why? The movie draws several of the characters completely differently, gives them *magic* powers, and of the guymelefs you came to see -- there are only two. Yep, that's it. Two. If, however, you haven't seen the series, you may still be disappointed by the extremely weak plot, lack of motive, and characters falling in love within minutes. There is no character development to speak of. All in all, this is a waste of the time you might spend watching it. Not even worth renting. Just buy the series.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Escaflowne Motion Picture
Review: Let's get one thing straight before we get started: I've seen a grand total of 10 minutes of the Escaflowne TV series (I can see the "otaku" turning up their noses already...).

All right, now for the review.

Escaflowne was probably the best anime movie I've ever seen in the eight years that I've been watching the stuff. I was very skeptical as to whether or not I'd like this movie, since I didn't particularly enjoy the time I spent with the TV series. The movie was breathtaking. The animation quality, the art style, character design, everything in the artistic realm of this movie has been improved from its TV form. The soundtrack was amazing. Watching Van fall through the sky to the isolated score is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen/heard.

As far as I can tell, the story's been condensed a lot, but that's the case with all anime movies (X, anyone?). The plot and characters enthralled me, although I don't know how much it would do for those who have watched the TV series. They've left out a few *minor details*, I'm sure (although the only one I can pinpoint concerns Dilandau). I've heard that a lot of the characters have been downplayed, too (i.e. Allen, Meruru, etc.). Other than that, though, it was thoroughly entertaining.

Again, I'm not sure how much it would appeal to fans of the TV series. However, if you've never seen Escaflowne, I'd say this is a good place to start. It feeds you the plot with relative consistancy, and it'll probably get you itching to see the TV series, too.

All in all, it was a good movie. It had me glued to the TV screen for an hour and a half, that's for sure.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A rather intense, enjoyable, movie
Review: Escaflowne has a great fantasy/sci-fi balance imho. I love the robots, and the fantasy elements. It was wonderful entertainment, and I believe it just gets better after you've watched it a couple times in a row.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Minor Flaws can't bring it down
Review: Admittedly, I watched Escaflowne The Movie before I saw the TV series and this may change my perceptions a bit. I enjoyed many things about the movie; the animation was very smooth and detailed, the characters were interesting (though many, sadly, were not terribly deep).

After watching the TV series, the movie seemed a bit rushed and it didn't really adhere to the TV series' plot, but nonetheless I enjoyed it thoroughly. The two go together really well as a set. Additionally, the movie's boxed set had a lot of cool extras - like the soundtrack, which is excellent! The box is high quality, and doesn't easily show wear.

While some may find the story lacking at times, Escaflowne is still an enjoyable anime and well worth the purchase. I would, however, recommend that you watch a bit of it before making the investment.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Talk about Boring
Review: I have never seen anything dealing with Escaflowne before this, so maybe for some returning fans this would be a good movie, but I HATED this anime. The story was interesting at first, but not a whole hell of a lot happened! The main woman character, Hitomi, is week and helpless in almost every scene, and she falls in love with Van less than a day after they meet, in which she has spent most of it AWAY from him. That by itself is just ridiculous.

Second, while I enjoyed the music and some of the graphics, the story does NOT live up to my standards of anime. If it weren't so bloody and several of the characters weren't highly insane, I would say it was a child's movie (because it's extremely corny).

I guess I could tell you that Hitomi is suicidle, and she wants to disappear and be alone, etc. When she is pulled into Gaia, you find out just how pathetic she is as a person. She doesn't even try to attempt to defend herself in dangerous situations, she just screams "Help!" and hopes that she doesn't die before someome can save her. Van, someone from the White Dragon Clan, comes upon some dragon armor with her inside of it, and when she falls out it transforms itself into a jewel, much to Van's anger as he needs it to help fight against his brother.

Hitomi is traveling with them while Van's brother has his--well, shoot, I don't know what the white lady would be called, perhaps his sorceress--call Hitomi to her. When this doesn't quite work, a group of his men are sent to fetch her.

You get introduced to some possibly interesting characters, but they don't stay around long enough to be important to the story line, really, not unless this is supposed to have some kind of sequel. By the time Hitomi, apparently the Wing Goddess, actually gets ANY power, its only a pair of wings so she can go home.

Basically, I think this movie sucked.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Escaflowne-The Movie
Review: In my opinion, Escaflowne is an awsome movie! If you are an anime lover this is the movie for you. I loved all the sword fight scenes and the characters are designed very well so go check it out.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Very good movie
Review: I have to say I was really impressed with this movie. Especially the artwork, which was absolutely stunning. The Music CD makes it worth purchasing this set all by itself. It almost makes you feel as though you are in the unique world of Gaia.

However, at some points, it takes far too long to continue with the storyline in my opinion. For example, it captured my attention at the very beginning when Van flew in and cleaned up the guards on the ship, but then there was just a long, boring part where I was wondering why they did not edit some of the scenes. Honestly, some of my friends were literally falling asleep when we were watching it as a result. On the other hand, the movie on a whole was really well done, considering its short time.And with the exceptional(but rare) fighting scenes, I really couldn't complain.

I find it ridiculous to compare the movie to the series. Of course the series would have better character development, that is obvious.Simply because it has a much longer time for that. The same can be said for the depth of storyline. So, I don't believe it is reasonable for people to just say bluntly," The series is better." I'd say they are both special in their own way.
Personally, I liked the movie very much, and I believe it deserves the 5 stars I gave it. But, I would recommend renting it first, just in case if you have second thoughts.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: i've seen the series and i must say this is one of the...
Review: ..most spectacular motion pictures i've seen...
spectacular animation
spectacular character relatinoship
awesome music
awesome story
A Perfect movie
simply amazinhg

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: The worst movie ever!
Review: In short, this is the single worst movie out of a major TV franchise that I've ever seen. The characters are all twisted (re-invented), and the movie utterly fails to deliver on the new take. Even without watching the tv series, this movie is only mediocre. But compared to the excellent tv series, this is the worst adaptation (or re-creation) that I've ever seen, and I've seen many.

The only thing that holds the tv series and the movie together is the music. I didn't think it was particularly good, but it was obviously of the same heritage and maintain the mood.

If you liked the tv series, rent this one and see if you'd like it before buying it outright.


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