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REVIEW: Venus Wars DVD


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Fronzel



Joined: 11 Sep 2003
Posts: 1906
PostPosted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:14 pm Reply with quote
I thought this really failed to generate sympathy for the protagonists. They're all shallow, moody kids unhappy that someone parked a tank on the racetrack so they can't play with their motorcycles anymore. They didn't even care about the war before then. Why should we? It doesn't even give us any reason to want to see the invading army defeated. They don't particularly do anything or seem very sinister except the way their sci-fi armor looks.
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belvadeer





PostPosted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 11:23 pm Reply with quote
Still have this recorded on VHS from years ago. I love the song Shakunestu no Circuit. I know the story was typical weak 80s fare, but there was a certain magic it always held for me. Back then, rebellious young punks were a standard, so it doesn't surprise me.
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pajmo9



Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 630
PostPosted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 12:48 am Reply with quote
I remember getting this movie years ago because I found it for like 2 bucks brand new on DVD. I haven't seen it in a while but I remember it being a pleasant surprise.
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Covnam



Joined: 31 May 2005
Posts: 3644
PostPosted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 1:14 am Reply with quote
belvadeer wrote:
Still have this recorded on VHS from years ago.


Haha, same here. I think I taped it off of one of sci-fi's late night or early morning anime blocks.
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Ladymage Samiko



Joined: 01 Oct 2007
Posts: 36
PostPosted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 2:39 am Reply with quote
Covnam wrote:
belvadeer wrote:
Still have this recorded on VHS from years ago.


Haha, same here. I think I taped it off of one of sci-fi's late night or early morning anime blocks.


Dittos. It may not be a masterpiece, but it was one of the first 'real' anime I ever watched, and it was enough to keep me coming back for more. I miss Saturday Anime!
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trilaan



Joined: 17 Jan 2009
Posts: 1054
Location: Texas
PostPosted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 6:03 am Reply with quote
Yes, I very much miss those days, too. I don't have Venus Wars on VHS but I have several others I recorded off the Sci-Fi Channel when it was still a worthwhile network.
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RapidEyeMovement



Joined: 11 May 2010
Posts: 106
PostPosted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 7:40 am Reply with quote
Well, this is surprising news! Good old Discotek.

Those of us who first heard of it on Buried Treasure years ago--now we can finally see the darn thing!
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walw6pK4Alo



Joined: 12 Mar 2008
Posts: 9322
PostPosted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 2:29 pm Reply with quote
Quote:
This is also the best that the movie has ever looked


I wish Discotek would jump quicker into BluRay, because Venus Wars' is spectacular. Maybe Justin can clue me in, but I think the film must either be 16mm or that low quality 70s stock he mentioned a while back, because the film grain is massive and conspicuous even in 720p, with a good amount of flicker and movement, but not enough to detract from the overall picture. Whatever the case, the BD looked sharp, clean, and relatively bright, one of the top tier transfers I've seen.

As for Venus Wars itself, what an odd movie. The plot seems to drop off and a new one picks up 2/3rds of the way through, with motivations always obtuse and obscure. Still, it's interesting and has some good action.
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penguintruth



Joined: 08 Dec 2004
Posts: 8459
Location: Penguinopolis
PostPosted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 2:54 pm Reply with quote
I remember watching this for the first time on Sci-Fi Channel's Saturday Anime block, and it was during the closing credits that I knew I had become a fan of anime.

I mean, now it's not as extraordinary as it was back then, but it's still a good watch. I've been holding out all these years, but now seems a good time to purchase it.

Got to love Yas.
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belvadeer





PostPosted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 6:23 pm Reply with quote
Covnam wrote:
Haha, same here. I think I taped it off of one of sci-fi's late night or early morning anime blocks.


It was late night for me. I clearly remember that Saturday.

Ladymage Samiko wrote:
Dittos. It may not be a masterpiece, but it was one of the first 'real' anime I ever watched, and it was enough to keep me coming back for more. I miss Saturday Anime!


Tell me about it. Sci-Fi lost it big by removing their anime lineup, but it was good while it lasted.
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CruzMissile



Joined: 26 Nov 2007
Posts: 76
PostPosted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 6:44 pm Reply with quote
Wow I remember watching this early on in my Anime-watching days... I rented it from blockbuster lol. Good to see that I can somehow get a copy of this now.
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khaos1019



Joined: 28 Nov 2007
Posts: 93
PostPosted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 1:41 am Reply with quote
This is so awesome. I'm glad Discotek is around to license rescue stuff like this.
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FLCLGainax





PostPosted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 9:43 am Reply with quote
Watching this new DVD was like watching a completely different movie. The linework was much more impressive this time around. Yeah, it hasn't aged well. The characterization and plot were weaker than I had remembered.

If sales for this are successful for Discotek, they should look into licensing Yoshikazu Yasuhiko's other directorial effort, Arion, which has a more coherent story and relatable characters.
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TokyoGetter



Joined: 28 Nov 2006
Posts: 416
Location: CA. You can tell by the low moral standards.
PostPosted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 2:18 pm Reply with quote
I really dig this flick. It's probably the best example of Yaz' artwork translated into animation, and the colors (especially the reds and oranges) are ridiculous. I'd go as far to say that it's probably one of the highest-quality action sci-fi anime of the late 80s, and I like how it doesn't puke out a ton of plot at you; kids get pissed, people get shot, and there are lots of action set pieces.

Simple stimuli but I'm totally cool with it.

BTW am I the only one who likes how the kids are just petulant little shits? Completely self-serving, snotty little asses all the way through. It works.

Big ugh point: this film features a REALLY questionable (read: shitty) depiction of a gay character as a callow manipulative pervert. Looking at those scenes now gives me douche-chills.
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MaxSouth



Joined: 11 Oct 2008
Posts: 1363
PostPosted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:57 pm Reply with quote
"Not much character or story development" does not deserve "C+" for the story; it is more like "D" or lower. But Theron was always the nicest guy here, so this kindness is to be expected.
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