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Grade
Content Grade:
C-
Sound Grade:
B+
Extras Grade:
B+
Picture Grade:
A-
Specs
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen
Sound Options and Formats: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Disc Length: 97 Minutes
Review
“Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles” is strictly for fans of the series.
The plot: Armed with spaceship and mech robots, the Robotech Expeditionary Force (with the help of others) attempt to reclaim Earth from the aliens known as the Invids. Naturally, the story isn’t as simple as that. There are plenty of twists and turns that will keep viewers wondering what will happen next.
As someone who has seen a few episodes of the “Robotech” series, I can’t say this CGI animated feature impressed me much. In addition to containing cardboard characters and lifeless dialogue, the unoriginal script failed to pull me in. At no point was I ever glued to the screen. As an avid Sci-Fi fan, I have already seen countless stories about intergalactic wars, resistance fighters and mech robots and this particular film brought nothing new to those sub-genres.
‘Shadow Chronicles’ does have one redeeming quality and that is the space battles. Even though I found the film to be a bore, I was entertained by the set pieces containing spaceships, mech robots, and laser blasts and explosions.
Summary: If you are a “Robotech” completist then by all means check out ‘Shadow Chronicles.’ For everyone else, however, I cannot recommend seeking out this Blu-ray disc.
Picture and Sound
The widescreen 1080P picture quality gets a thumbs up from this reviewer. I was especially impressed by the CGI scenes and space battles.
The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio track contains clear sound and dialogue, but I do think the action and battles could have sounded stronger.
Extras
* 12 deleted scenes with optional commentary including an alternate opening and ending.
* Score music video.
* 3 minutes of outtakes.
* 9 animatic comparisons with final scenes (with optional commentary).
* Character design, ship, mecha, and magazine cover galleries.
* Digital “Robotech” prequel comic from Wildstorm.
* A 3 ˝ minute trailer for the cancelled “Robotech 3000.”
* 1 minute of “Robotech 3000 Motion Capture Sequences.”
* “Anime Selects”- Two minutes of footage from the Anime Expo in 2005
* Commentary by Tommy Yune, Ford Riley and Scott Glasgow. Fans will dig this track that reveals information about the score, nods to the series, and continuity.
* Funimation trailers (including five “Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles” trailers).
* An 11 minute interview with director Tommy Yune for an Anime Podcast.
* “Birth Of A Sequel- Making Of” (45:00)- This is hands down the best extra. Not only do we get to see the producers/writers/director talk about the universe and the movie, but we also get interviews with fans. I quite enjoyed hearing about the fan’s opinions of various aspects of the franchise.
