This "film" is exactly what I feared. 20 minutes of filler stretched into 5 times that length. I don´t understand why the identically named 5 volume prequel manga about Cucuruz´s military career couldn´t have been reworked into the 1st and 2nd act with ep 15 from Gundam 79 being the film´s resolution. The production values are on par with The Origin and no one involved did a bad job but what is the point? Especially if you consider how condensed the Thunderbolt adaptation was.
8 Reviews
The Different Legend of Mobile Suit Gundam/
doloopwhile9 July 2023
For non-Gundam fans:
This work follows the style of summer vacation movies. A southern island (no beach), foreign friends, a cute animal, a small adventure and success, and sci-fi robots.
It expects the viewer to know Gundam. However, the story is not flat. If you ended up watching with a child, you will not get bored.
The drawings of the giant mechs are excellent. It is not just detailed but consists of a uniqueness. The Gundam series developed a sense of speed, splendor, and flamboyance. This work, on the contrary, draws a sense of gravity and the horror of Gundam. RX-78-02 in this work is the Gundam that you don't want to turn into an enemy the most in history.
GOAT! You will see the essence of Japanese animation technology in the goat.
The main characters Amuro and Cucuruz Doan are neither completely moral nor unethical. It would be a good topic for discussion with children.
---
For Gundam fans:
This work is unique for Mobile Suit Gundam.
It is because that almost adults in Gundam series are disqualified. Amuro's parents are nearly divorced and have not given him a proper education. Char in CCA uses Quess as a soldier.
Meanwhile, Cucuruz Doan is raising 20 children in a twisted way. Moreover, he is active and success to save his children.
And what Amuro experiences in this work is like educating him to "become a decent adult." It told him to get in shape, learn to farm, and learn to live without destruction. It is very different from the conventional "strongest new type soldier" Amuro.
This work follows the style of summer vacation movies. A southern island (no beach), foreign friends, a cute animal, a small adventure and success, and sci-fi robots.
It expects the viewer to know Gundam. However, the story is not flat. If you ended up watching with a child, you will not get bored.
The drawings of the giant mechs are excellent. It is not just detailed but consists of a uniqueness. The Gundam series developed a sense of speed, splendor, and flamboyance. This work, on the contrary, draws a sense of gravity and the horror of Gundam. RX-78-02 in this work is the Gundam that you don't want to turn into an enemy the most in history.
GOAT! You will see the essence of Japanese animation technology in the goat.
The main characters Amuro and Cucuruz Doan are neither completely moral nor unethical. It would be a good topic for discussion with children.
---
For Gundam fans:
This work is unique for Mobile Suit Gundam.
It is because that almost adults in Gundam series are disqualified. Amuro's parents are nearly divorced and have not given him a proper education. Char in CCA uses Quess as a soldier.
Meanwhile, Cucuruz Doan is raising 20 children in a twisted way. Moreover, he is active and success to save his children.
And what Amuro experiences in this work is like educating him to "become a decent adult." It told him to get in shape, learn to farm, and learn to live without destruction. It is very different from the conventional "strongest new type soldier" Amuro.
Cucuruz Doan's Island
CinemaSerf24 September 2022
"White Base" pilot "Amuro" is injured after a conflict on the "Island of No Return". He awakens to discover that he is being cared for by a group of youngsters led by "Doan" and after he helps them fix their water supply, is more warmly welcomed into this slightly sceptical group. Soon, though, aircraft arrive carrying "Zeon" robots and it's only then that we realise that "Doan" has a past - and together with the young "Amuro" they must arm themselves and strive to defeat their attackers. I did quite enjoy this but the story (based on characters from the 1979 television series) takes far too long to get going, it relies heavily on us already understanding the battle context of the characterisations, and I found the standard of animation here a bit limited. The ending hasn't really the least jeopardy to it, and the presence of the youngsters on their island dragged what pace there was down quite effectively. That said, it does move along well enough offering us messages about the value of teamwork, loyalty etc. But I just felt it was all just too lacking of any substantial - and interesting - narrative.
Great Film
ryguywardell28 September 2022
Great pacing, characters were consistent and fun, action was intense, and it was overall heartfelt. If you come out of this film feeling nothing- you're heartless.
I will note: if you like the big silly transformations and constant yelling and violence- you will probably not enjoy this movie. It has slower pacing and lacks in that over-the-top anime acting.
If you are an MSG and/or ZETA fan, you will definitely like this. If you survived the first few episodes of double Zeta, you will 100% enjoy this film.
Last thing, to people who are expecting some story/world changing plotline- what were you expecting? It's Cucuruz Doan's Island!
Overall, great film full of heart, great action scenes, and a whole lot of detail in every scene.
I will note: if you like the big silly transformations and constant yelling and violence- you will probably not enjoy this movie. It has slower pacing and lacks in that over-the-top anime acting.
If you are an MSG and/or ZETA fan, you will definitely like this. If you survived the first few episodes of double Zeta, you will 100% enjoy this film.
Last thing, to people who are expecting some story/world changing plotline- what were you expecting? It's Cucuruz Doan's Island!
Overall, great film full of heart, great action scenes, and a whole lot of detail in every scene.
Pretty boring imo
beherid-4483612 June 2022
Nothing really substantial added to Gundam story imo. It's based on a 22 minute show episode which was even more boring but at least here we get to see what's happening with the White Base Crew and politics a bit so I gave it two stars for that. Mecha animation is not bad but not great, which is understandable cause of the time frame it's suppose to take place. Anyway, I had to watch in two sittings cause fell asleep around the 50 minute mark.
A test bed permeated by nostalgia that makes us yearning for a complete remake of the First Gundam.
the_black_parade17 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
We are certainly in front of a work with a relevant and desired nostalgic potential, therefore very difficult to neglect, when evaluating its strengths and weaknesses. It is also easy to expect some intolerance from some of those who have come into contact with Gundam through the various AU, therefore less linked but also less objective in recognizing the importance of the progenitor, of whom this film tries to be a belated celebration (besides than an obvious attempt to milk the YAS cow without annoying the Tomino bull).
I skip the plot, but I spend a few words on the setting. We are indisputably in the ORIGIN-verse, so the continuity is that of the YAS manga, not that of the TV series or the further and different cinematic canon. So we are in the post-Jaburo and pre-Odessa, we have an Amuro just declared newtype and more confused and apathetic than ever, a Sayla who shows him some consideration (but nothing more, after all nothing happens between them even in the manga), a disillusioned Bright because he has already discovered that he has been a diversion of the Federation for months, Sleggar has replaced the tragically disappeared Ryu, and so on. In all this, a Kai outside his usual character who, although mocked and made speck in the manga THE ORIGIN, was at this point in the narrative still a disillusioned cynic and not very inclined to any initiative or good will. Here, however, he is decidedly more inclined to obedience, surrendering a small part of his iconoclastic personality to Sleggar, and silencing the rest. Which is a shame, because having someone at a certain point in the story who claims that Amuro has not been captured, but rather has deserted, would be useful. And a little parenthesis on the subject by Bright is certainly not enough.
The film is permeated by a new age philosophy at times exaggerated, to the point that the viewer must force himself to wonder if Doan, in addition to protecting, is not also plagiarizing the little orphans he himself made such (the scene in which Doan, feeling one of the youngest and "damaged" among his proteges who cries, remembers seeing him cry for the first time after having himself slaughtered his mother is very moving). An interesting interpretation that transpires only on two occasions through Amuro's astonished gaze. Too bad, especially because in the original episode this subtext was dealt with a little more openly.
Doan himself has no shortage of shadows undefined by the script: he is inclined to destroy anyone who shows up on the Island, both the federal forces and the team originally left behind by Zeon to control the island and its terrible secrets (not bad the revealing scene in which Marcos, swimming among the wrecks of GMs hidden in the seabed by Doan, surprisingly finds Zaku too), without any doubt, as well as he's able to deceive his boys by lying about the lack of electric power on the island (without really being explained why) or on the true nature of the military structures hidden there. It must also be said that Doan's choice of that precise island is certainly not wise, unless he wanted to combine the useful (hiding the children there) with the pleasure (pursuing his secret agenda). With due distinction, Doan and Amuro sometimes reminded me at times of Kurtz and Willard from "Apocalypse Now".
Much of the film focuses on the teachings of Doan, didactic and a bit cloying, but with a Miyazaki aftertaste of which Tomino cannot help but feel a certain envy, knowing him. The action scenes, very well choreographed, are at times hasty and a bit questionable (why on earth does Doan kill THAT member of the Southern Cross ?! Why does Amuro take out that other member like that ?!). However, they are enclosed in the first and third act to frame a story that would like to convey on something else ... but the fact remains: seeing the RX-78 rise and fight generates an excitement that leaves little room for anything else.
Finally, the gags, not all as funny as they would like to be, not all presented at the right moment of the story and above all not all right (we have the revival of the clash between Ramba Ral and Lucifer of THE ORIGIN 1 staged by the goat Blanca against Kai and Hayato, but also an unprecedented sequence of sexual harassments by Sleggar against Sayla that seem more a pathetic attempt to recognize her sex appeal with a 40 years delay, than a genuine attempt to make people laugh), but some jokes hit the target and, when in happens, it's really, really funny.
The direction is on the level of OVA THE ORIGIN, perhaps a bit better, while the integration between 3D models and traditional animation (although not yet perfect) is much better. Some music is very apt, but nothing unforgettable.
However, a promise made by Sunrise during promotion will prove to be a lie and will disappoint many fans.
Summing up, Cucuruz Doan's Island is a very successful attempt to "test" the potential of a remake of the original series with this new cinematic format, provided to do so, next time, having something more full-bodied from a narrative point of view to tell. Repeating other "filler" episodes like this (the beautiful "time be still" episode comes to my mind, it was proposed with an almost real-time narrative, in 1979), would bury this format.
Given the success achieved in the theaters, I rather hope for an adaptation of the never-told-so-far battle in Gibraltar, with the final duel between the Gundam and a certain red Zaku...
I skip the plot, but I spend a few words on the setting. We are indisputably in the ORIGIN-verse, so the continuity is that of the YAS manga, not that of the TV series or the further and different cinematic canon. So we are in the post-Jaburo and pre-Odessa, we have an Amuro just declared newtype and more confused and apathetic than ever, a Sayla who shows him some consideration (but nothing more, after all nothing happens between them even in the manga), a disillusioned Bright because he has already discovered that he has been a diversion of the Federation for months, Sleggar has replaced the tragically disappeared Ryu, and so on. In all this, a Kai outside his usual character who, although mocked and made speck in the manga THE ORIGIN, was at this point in the narrative still a disillusioned cynic and not very inclined to any initiative or good will. Here, however, he is decidedly more inclined to obedience, surrendering a small part of his iconoclastic personality to Sleggar, and silencing the rest. Which is a shame, because having someone at a certain point in the story who claims that Amuro has not been captured, but rather has deserted, would be useful. And a little parenthesis on the subject by Bright is certainly not enough.
The film is permeated by a new age philosophy at times exaggerated, to the point that the viewer must force himself to wonder if Doan, in addition to protecting, is not also plagiarizing the little orphans he himself made such (the scene in which Doan, feeling one of the youngest and "damaged" among his proteges who cries, remembers seeing him cry for the first time after having himself slaughtered his mother is very moving). An interesting interpretation that transpires only on two occasions through Amuro's astonished gaze. Too bad, especially because in the original episode this subtext was dealt with a little more openly.
Doan himself has no shortage of shadows undefined by the script: he is inclined to destroy anyone who shows up on the Island, both the federal forces and the team originally left behind by Zeon to control the island and its terrible secrets (not bad the revealing scene in which Marcos, swimming among the wrecks of GMs hidden in the seabed by Doan, surprisingly finds Zaku too), without any doubt, as well as he's able to deceive his boys by lying about the lack of electric power on the island (without really being explained why) or on the true nature of the military structures hidden there. It must also be said that Doan's choice of that precise island is certainly not wise, unless he wanted to combine the useful (hiding the children there) with the pleasure (pursuing his secret agenda). With due distinction, Doan and Amuro sometimes reminded me at times of Kurtz and Willard from "Apocalypse Now".
Much of the film focuses on the teachings of Doan, didactic and a bit cloying, but with a Miyazaki aftertaste of which Tomino cannot help but feel a certain envy, knowing him. The action scenes, very well choreographed, are at times hasty and a bit questionable (why on earth does Doan kill THAT member of the Southern Cross ?! Why does Amuro take out that other member like that ?!). However, they are enclosed in the first and third act to frame a story that would like to convey on something else ... but the fact remains: seeing the RX-78 rise and fight generates an excitement that leaves little room for anything else.
Finally, the gags, not all as funny as they would like to be, not all presented at the right moment of the story and above all not all right (we have the revival of the clash between Ramba Ral and Lucifer of THE ORIGIN 1 staged by the goat Blanca against Kai and Hayato, but also an unprecedented sequence of sexual harassments by Sleggar against Sayla that seem more a pathetic attempt to recognize her sex appeal with a 40 years delay, than a genuine attempt to make people laugh), but some jokes hit the target and, when in happens, it's really, really funny.
The direction is on the level of OVA THE ORIGIN, perhaps a bit better, while the integration between 3D models and traditional animation (although not yet perfect) is much better. Some music is very apt, but nothing unforgettable.
However, a promise made by Sunrise during promotion will prove to be a lie and will disappoint many fans.
Summing up, Cucuruz Doan's Island is a very successful attempt to "test" the potential of a remake of the original series with this new cinematic format, provided to do so, next time, having something more full-bodied from a narrative point of view to tell. Repeating other "filler" episodes like this (the beautiful "time be still" episode comes to my mind, it was proposed with an almost real-time narrative, in 1979), would bury this format.
Given the success achieved in the theaters, I rather hope for an adaptation of the never-told-so-far battle in Gibraltar, with the final duel between the Gundam and a certain red Zaku...
A Treat for Fans of 0079's Ensemble Cast
Prestophobia28 September 2022
Only watch if you have watched and enjoyed the original series or compilation movies, because this film is more defined by its character interactions and dialogue than its action. Bright, Mirai, Kai, and Sleggar especially get some deserved spotlight with some solid scenes with Sayla, M'Quve, and the White Base kids.
The titular Doan is also well fleshed out and compelling. The mobile suit fights are well directed and carry emotional weight, though they are not the focus. Think of it as a drama movie with action rather than an action movie with drama.
If you didn't watch the original series, don't watch this.
If you didn't like the kids or the quiet moments from the original series, don't watch this.
If you watched the original series and only cared about Amuro and Char, don't watch this.
Otherwise, give it some time when you're in the mood for a touching, slow burn film largely about rural farm life during wartime and you're likely to be glad you did.
The titular Doan is also well fleshed out and compelling. The mobile suit fights are well directed and carry emotional weight, though they are not the focus. Think of it as a drama movie with action rather than an action movie with drama.
If you didn't watch the original series, don't watch this.
If you didn't like the kids or the quiet moments from the original series, don't watch this.
If you watched the original series and only cared about Amuro and Char, don't watch this.
Otherwise, give it some time when you're in the mood for a touching, slow burn film largely about rural farm life during wartime and you're likely to be glad you did.
Pure Gundam Essence
Blzng51N11 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This film has set out what the 0079 intended to do within its story and executed it better than even the original series, not to say that the original series is bad by any means, but the original Gundam series is more fitting for a particular audience.
However this modern interpretation of the lost episode really seems to cater, not just to fans of the original series, but it can be an enjoyable watch for a broader audience as well. The pacing is very solid and not a single scene dragged on. Nearly every part of this movie felt like it had a purpose and it fulfilled that purpose very well. It even brought a laugh out of me during a particular scene, which not a single series in the entire franchise has done so far.
Even friends I've spoken to, some who don't have a very good opinion of 0079 or the UC timeline as a whole, have enjoyed this movie. Some people may say that Gundam The Origin is not a good way to properly get into the UC timeline, but this movie has shown me that it's completely possible for a GTO remake of the entire original series can exist, while also being a perfect replacement for the original. Both Gundam The Origin and the original series can coexist, but it's clear that a GTO remake could easily be seen as a "more accessible" version of the original series and I'm all for that.
The only thing I would tweak with this film are the antagonists. The Southern Cross Corp weren't terrible antagonists. Their mobile suit designs and actions scenes were amazing, but the characters as a whole suffer a bit from a lack of screen time. If we had just a bit more time with them, I could imagine them to be very compelling characters.
In summary, this movie is great and it's likely one of the best in the franchise. The protagonists are great, the fights scenes are stellar, the animation is top tier, the plot is very concrete, and no scene is too drawn out. You can tell the writers understand particular criticisms about the original series and it says allot about how much effort they put into a movie about a mere lost episode. This film presents a very bright future for the franchise as a whole.
However this modern interpretation of the lost episode really seems to cater, not just to fans of the original series, but it can be an enjoyable watch for a broader audience as well. The pacing is very solid and not a single scene dragged on. Nearly every part of this movie felt like it had a purpose and it fulfilled that purpose very well. It even brought a laugh out of me during a particular scene, which not a single series in the entire franchise has done so far.
Even friends I've spoken to, some who don't have a very good opinion of 0079 or the UC timeline as a whole, have enjoyed this movie. Some people may say that Gundam The Origin is not a good way to properly get into the UC timeline, but this movie has shown me that it's completely possible for a GTO remake of the entire original series can exist, while also being a perfect replacement for the original. Both Gundam The Origin and the original series can coexist, but it's clear that a GTO remake could easily be seen as a "more accessible" version of the original series and I'm all for that.
The only thing I would tweak with this film are the antagonists. The Southern Cross Corp weren't terrible antagonists. Their mobile suit designs and actions scenes were amazing, but the characters as a whole suffer a bit from a lack of screen time. If we had just a bit more time with them, I could imagine them to be very compelling characters.
In summary, this movie is great and it's likely one of the best in the franchise. The protagonists are great, the fights scenes are stellar, the animation is top tier, the plot is very concrete, and no scene is too drawn out. You can tell the writers understand particular criticisms about the original series and it says allot about how much effort they put into a movie about a mere lost episode. This film presents a very bright future for the franchise as a whole.
See also
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