Overall I found the movie to be a lot of highs and lows, peaks and valleys. Little moments here and there I absolutely loved, found funny, cool, or appropriate following from Seed/Destiny, and other things were even dumber than the Seed-Hater-Memes make Seed out to be. The art design wasn't as bad as the previews made it out to be, though many times characters were indeed much too bobble-headed. I also felt something was missing in the the CG fighting - it was too smooth and lacked the "oomph" & "impact" that the original shows (and even Hathaway's Flash) managed to instill in the clashes andhits.
Aside from a couple of the new songs and the teases of original classic tracks which were most appreciated, I found the movie score to be very underbaked. Long periods without an emotional note or flourish, seeming different tracks stiched together scene by scene - it was giving me some audio whiplash. Compared to Seed/Destiny, where perhaps the strongest element was the music, it was a poor showing.
The subtitles I felt were not amazing in their quality. Clunky translation and delivery. I was also sad to see we went back to the "Dullindal" spelling for the former ZAFT chairman. Took me back to 2005 on that one.
There were loads of story points that I took issue with, especially since Fukuda said it was so important to keep the consistency of character from the end of Destiny, I was hoping for better from our two lead characters, Kira and Lacus.
Kira especially (and I focus on him in this review because it really is his movie) I felt was very out of character and unbelievable following from where we last saw him in Destiny. He has a emotional crisis to work through in this movie and the way he tries to deal with it was so reminiscent of SEED-era Kira when he was at his lowest/inexperienced, I was shocked and disappointed. By the end of Seed and all over Seed Destiny, Kira had developed a much greater emotional intelligence and awareness and would not have acted as he did in this movie. There was a chance to explore a much more nuanced character and romantic relationship here but unfortunately the film took an obvious and tired retread of been there done that (with this very same character). This regression of character for no reason was puzzling and reaks of plot convenience.
Lacus has some very puzzling retcons seemingly made to her, however her character feels more as if she hasn't changed or evolved since we saw her in Destiny, whereas Kira felt like he actually regressed.
The antagonists are supremely underdeveloped and underexplained, unless I missed a lot somehow in the breakneck pace of some sections of the movie. The special gimmicks and origins of the antagonistic group which are *critical* for the plot... Not explained as far as I remember. I can only make assumptions which isn't great for a movie that had near 2 decades to figure itself out.
I was reminded several times during the movie of the Code Geass Resurrection movie; only I feel that movie did all the things you could hope for - and did them well - while here there are so many narrative compromises following from Seed Destiny. It feels like the script could have done with another going over.
There is a lot of fan-service, particularly as you get into the 3rd act. When it isn't stepping on the character development/narrative, it's highly effective; Shin, Luna, Capt. Ramius, Mu, Athrun, and Cagalli all get great moments you'll love if you've ever enjoyed the Gundam Seed setting.
I do hope for more Cosmic Era animation entries, just with some more narrative care given to character consistency and development. For Seed Freedom, my earnest hope is that they can improve and massage certain aspects of Seed Freedom for the home release like they did with Seed-Destiny OG > Seed Destiny HD. Somehow they made me love Seed Destiny more than Seed when I did a rewatch, so I think there could be hope for Seed Freedom.
WiWiseKouichi
August 11, 2024
Not RecommendedFunnyInformative
Characters: Some characters develop backwards, turning into people who have not gained the emotional stability they had (gained) in destiny. Most new characters are introduced to the bare minimum. Most of them with no depth. Story: Recycled plot elements from destiny. Can't beat the "good guys"? Just give the bad guys better technology, and vice versa. If you are under the constraint of a single movie, don't cram in content which is normally intended for a whole arc. Music: Almost none of the soundtracks stuck out, unlike in the prequels. Feels like music was an afterthought, not enhancing the story at all. Also...a certain performancewas missing.
Art/Animation:
SFX are good. Character design is alright, less of the "same face" phenomenon. I'm not against fanservice, however, there are some characters and moments for which it is just inappropriate. Background/scenery is beautiful.
I was so hyped when I saw that my most favorite anime got a sequel. This is such a disappointment if it was not meant as a parody. View the end of destiny as the end of the story and you are good.
RecommendedFunny
Kira Yamato and Lacus Clyne : The Movie. Also lips : the movie. If you like these 2 characters then you will like the movie. I like these 2 as couple but I like Cagali and Arthurn more. The aspect I love the most especially in SEED is the interaction from these 2 couple, but this movie mostly revolves between Kira and Lacus. Story & Plot. Straight as an arrow. Barely even a plot twist. I believe straightforward story is great for the movie like the 1st season of tv series. Although there is massive plot hole then again, I remember this is SEED series, it meant to have giantplot hole. The wow factor of design and animation negate plot inconsistency as the tradition of the series.
Character & Character Design.
All the OG characters is back with their own design. The addition of the lips makes the characters more sensual.
The new character especially the villain is simple both in design and characteristic but flesh out enough to make an impact.
Personally I hate the CG FREEDOM design at start the movie, look so simple but then again the final FREEDOM make my dong hard.
Animation.
We all know SEED series is the golden child of Sunrise and for extend Bandai Namco(this is reaching).
Of course the animation especially the action scene is top tier. Despite all the Gundam, war ship and action is CG but hot damn it is beautiful. I tell you right now that I will certainly buy the BLU-RAY when it come out.
Sound & OST.
New song from T.M.Revolution and See-Saw. No complain. I always love the sound design and ost of the SEED series whether the OP, ED and OST. I love them all and still listening to it nowadays. Top score in this department.
Conclusion.
This movie mostly will not make new fan (if you like this movie then the tv series as a must) and certainly will not make SEED hater to like the series. I don't mind because Gundam SEED Series was the 1st mecha story that I fully watched so it has special place in my heart. Many anime fan bash SEED series as poor teenagers angst fantasy , cringe writing/plot , undeserved OP mc, too many deus ex machina and many more.
You know what , all that is why I love SEED series and consequently this movie too.
I am biased and nostalgic that why the score is high but again your childhood anime come back after long time , so who wouldn't?
