Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles (2006)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Directors:

Dong-Wook Lee
Tommy Yune

Writers:

Carl Macek (television series)
Tommy Yune (story) ...

Release Date:

5 January 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

The greatest animated saga of a generation continues ...

Plot:

Picking up where the orginal series left off, Scott Bernard continues his search for Rick Hunter and the fate of the SDF-3 |

Plot Keywords:

Transformation | Sequel | Transforming Robot | Alien Technology | Anime

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Richard Epcar	...	Vince Grant (voice)
Eddie Frierson	...	Louis Nichols (voice)
Mark Hamill	...	Commander Taylor (voice)
Alexandra Kenworthy	...	The Regess (voice)
Yuri Lowenthal	...	Marcus Rush (voice)
Melanie MacQueen	...	Marlene Rush (voice)
Chase Masterson	...	Janice (voice)
Edie Mirman	...	Maia Sterling (voice)
Iona Morris	...	Jean Grant (voice)
Tony Oliver	...	Admiral Rick Hunter (voice)
Arthur Santiago	...	Alex Romero (voice)
Gregory Snegoff	...	Scott Bernard (voice)
Michael Sorich	...	Sparks (voice)
Kari Wahlgren	...	Ariel (voice)
Dan Woren	...	General Reinhardt (voice)

Also Known As:

Robotech: Shadow Force (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for sci-fi action violence, language and some senusality.

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG | USA:TV-PG | Australia:PG | Singapore:PG | UK:PG | New Zealand:PG

Company:

Harmony Gold

Trivia:

Shot in high definition on Sony HDCAM.

Goofs:

Continuity: Approximately one hour into the movie, Vince Grant turns to Janice Em, Ariel, and Scott Bernard to ask, "Any idea what we're up against?" When seen in long shot with Grant in the foreground, Bernard is wearing a uniform. The camera cuts to a close-up, of the three, in which Bernard is wearing CVR-3 battle armor. In subsequent shots, Bernard is wearing the uniform again.

Quotes:

Louis Nichols: What can I say? I've always had a thing for machines.

Movie Connections:

Edited into The Music of Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles (2007) (V)

Soundtrack:

We Will Win

Great transition to a new chapter

Yes, I'm a Robotech fan from the 80's. But I can honestly say that I've long since forgotten most of the storyline and am not an avid anime watcher.

That being said, the movie immediately jogged my memory of where Robotech: New Generations had left off. It does not, however, lend itself to engage new viewers of the series since the main job of the movie, which is accomplished quite successfully, is to rekindle the nostalgia of the old movies while attempting to transition into the new storyline.

So yes, young kids who are watching Robotech for the first time probably won't equate this movie to say, Beauty and the Beast, because by design, the movie is not easy to pick up and watch. The movie is not a stand alone. There is no complete plot. It literally transitions from New Generations onto the Shadow Chronicles.

Numerous characters that fans will recognize pop up here and there. Shadow Chronicles does a masterful job of connecting the viewer to the characters since the protagonists they choose to follow are literally kin to some of our most beloved characters from the previous series.

The plot, although not quite seamless, does summarize the three-way relationship between Invid-Robotech Masters-Humans. It also introduces another element to the equation, dubbed the "Children of the Shadow." Although the movie does not fully explain who the "Children" are, you seem to get the feeling that all subsequent episodes will address this issue and go in-depth to detailing the Children's place and motive. Again, the plot is intentionally inconclusive so that it can eventually transition into perhaps a full blown series.

The animation is entertaining. Mixed usage of 2D and 3D CGI graphics are awkward at first, but blend in once the story unfolds. In fact, I found the CGI annoying at first, but after a while, I got used to it and actually found myself pleasantly amused. The one downside of the CGI is that I've seen better in a lot of movies and video games, so I do feel somewhat shortchanged. I don't want to be unfair by saying that it's not good, but at the same time you can tell that it's no Pixar production.

Ultimately, I will say that if you're into Robotech, you will probably enjoy this movie a lot. If you have no idea what Robotech is, you'll probably feel mixed, a little confused, but perhaps eager to find out more. Overall, the movie is entertaining if it's understood that it is not, again, a stand alone. And to its credit, I found myself thoroughly enjoying it and wishing that they would continue the saga just so that I can get myself back into the story and get some closure on the unsatisfying end to New Generations.