Sakura Wars - The Movie (with Mini-Pencil Board Set)

Rating:
Summary: A movie for the gamers...
Review: "Sakura Wars - The Movie" is a creation that builds upon every aspect of the four games which it is based on. For someone who has played these games this movie is a fun experience because all of the characters have already been fleshed out and the parts of the story that the movie doesn't explore have already been explained. It's nice because one doesn't have to listen to a bunch of introductions for characters that they already know, but unfortunately for someone who hasn't played the games this movie must surely seem very disjointed with incredibly shallow characters (and a whole lot of them ^^;). This is a movie for fans, and if you are new to the world of Sakura Taisen this isn't the place to start.

Having played all the games, I have to say I really enjoyed this movie. The animation is a little different from the games (the characters look a bit smaller-eyed), but is absolutely lovely. You can almost understand why the Ecole De Paris OVA and the TV series' animation was so mediocre after watching this, because this is expensive high-quality stuff. They must have spent all their money on it ^^; The backgrounds are especially notable, and the Imperial Theater seems to have gotten a revamp. It's very pretty ^_^

As always, the voice acting is top notch. I can't comment on the english dub because I haven't watched it, but the original will bring back every cast member from Sakura right down to the Baragumi. Lachette's actress is also very good, but even though I have heard she is some sort of professional, I can't stand her singing voice. During the "Subete wa Umi e" song performance it's very grating and drowns Sakura's voice out completely.

The story isn't anything special, but it isn't bad. It follows the usual fare... A man named Brent Furlong has brought in a new type of robots, the Jakphiels, that will make the Koubu obsolete, but his real plans are an economic takeover with some city-destroying evilness thrown in. He has a minion named Patrick, blah blah blah... The formula will seem familiar. It is. Also, an original character, Lachette, is introduced, but there are already eight members of the Hanagumi, and the large focus on her seems silly.

The other characters all have their moments, and there's a lot more character development for Reni than usual, which is nice. Also, Kanna's lines don't consist of only fighting with Sumire. This brings up another point, which is that the characters are actually in-character. The anime endeavors for this game have a tendency to take the most stereotypical trait of a character and just run it into the ground... Over and over again. This movie is a really refreshing change from that. Thank goodness...

The music is by Tanaka Kohei, as usual, and is mainly themes from the game that have been redone. He did a really good job and everything seems very polished, especially the new version of Kiseki no Kane, which has to be 200% better than the original. There is a rewritten version of "Subete wa Umi e" sung by Lachette and Sakura instead of Maria and Sakura, but the lyrics are poor compared to the original and Lachette sounds absolutely horrible... Please, someone bring Maria back... She did a much better job ;_;

In conclusion, because this review has gotten really long (sorry ^^;), if you have played the games you will probably enjoy this movie. If you've only seen the OAV or TV series, or have no knowledge of Sakura Taisen at all, you probably won't like it. This is a total fan movie, and it doesn't really aspire to be more than that.

Rating:
Summary: A movie for the gamers...
Review: "Sakura Wars - The Movie" is a creation that builds upon every aspect of the four games which it is based on. For someone who has played these games this movie is a fun experience because all of the characters have already been fleshed out and the parts of the story that the movie doesn't explore have already been explained. It's nice because one doesn't have to listen to a bunch of introductions for characters that they already know, but unfortunately for someone who hasn't played the games this movie must surely seem very disjointed with incredibly shallow characters (and a whole lot of them ^^;). This is a movie for fans, and if you are new to the world of Sakura Taisen this isn't the place to start.

Having played all the games, I have to say I really enjoyed this movie. The animation is a little different from the games (the characters look a bit smaller-eyed), but is absolutely lovely. You can almost understand why the Ecole De Paris OVA and the TV series' animation was so mediocre after watching this, because this is expensive high-quality stuff. They must have spent all their money on it ^^; The backgrounds are especially notable, and the Imperial Theater seems to have gotten a revamp. It's very pretty ^_^

As always, the voice acting is top notch. I can't comment on the english dub because I haven't watched it, but the original will bring back every cast member from Sakura right down to the Baragumi. Lachette's actress is also very good, but even though I have heard she is some sort of professional, I can't stand her singing voice. During the "Subete wa Umi e" song performance it's very grating and drowns Sakura's voice out completely.

The story isn't anything special, but it isn't bad. It follows the usual fare... A man named Brent Furlong has brought in a new type of robots, the Jakphiels, that will make the Koubu obsolete, but his real plans are an economic takeover with some city-destroying evilness thrown in. He has a minion named Patrick, blah blah blah... The formula will seem familiar. It is. Also, an original character, Lachette, is introduced, but there are already eight members of the Hanagumi, and the large focus on her seems silly.

The other characters all have their moments, and there's a lot more character development for Reni than usual, which is nice. Also, Kanna's lines don't consist of only fighting with Sumire. This brings up another point, which is that the characters are actually in-character. The anime endeavors for this game have a tendency to take the most stereotypical trait of a character and just run it into the ground... Over and over again. This movie is a really refreshing change from that. Thank goodness...

The music is by Tanaka Kohei, as usual, and is mainly themes from the game that have been redone. He did a really good job and everything seems very polished, especially the new version of Kiseki no Kane, which has to be 200% better than the original. There is a rewritten version of "Subete wa Umi e" sung by Lachette and Sakura instead of Maria and Sakura, but the lyrics are poor compared to the original and Lachette sounds absolutely horrible... Please, someone bring Maria back... She did a much better job ;_;

In conclusion, because this review has gotten really long (sorry ^^;), if you have played the games you will probably enjoy this movie. If you've only seen the OAV or TV series, or have no knowledge of Sakura Taisen at all, you probably won't like it. This is a total fan movie, and it doesn't really aspire to be more than that.

Rating:
Summary: Series is better. Eugh.
Review: If you aren't familiar with the series first, be aware this movie pretty much assumes you already have an emotional investment in the characters and have achieved comfort in the entire somewhat silly idea of tokyo's elite protection forces being an all-girls song and dance troupe.

I AM a fan of the series, yet this movie left me entirely flat. It just isn't very good. Add to this the fact that large portions of the anime are computer animated... Now, I'm a computer animator by profession, and it is well done animation, but I feel that the 3d/CG approach clashes with the fluid grace of cel animation. Certainly the fight scenes were more stiff and less emotional as 3d animation. The sad truth is, it's cheaper to use 3d, but all the toon-shaders in the world don't take away the warmth and expressiveness of hand-drawn anime.

If you are really inclined to get this, check the return policy... Personally I would suggest some of the better titles Amazon carries - look at Haibane Renmei, Neon Genesis Evangellion, Martian Sucessor Nadesico, Please Teacher, Spirited Away, Key the Metal Idol, or Lain...

Rating:
Summary: Perfect but one little Mistakes
Review: Sakura Wars the Movie is one of the best Anime Movies that I ever has seen ( I hope I can see it in the German cinema once)
this film has all Action fun and beautiful pictures !!!!
No matter you are a Sakura Wars Fan or not Each Anime fan must have seen this film and the Extras on the DVD is wonderful

But there is a mistake in the Limited Edition (not on the DVD)the mistake is on the Mini-Pencil Board Set !!!
On the card over Reni is a Misspellings !! Her Name is RENI NOT LENI

You like Anime ?? Buy it !!