Despite seeing owning a series and a couple of movies about the character, I still find myself feeling a little bit like a novice when it comes to a seemingly archetypal anime character like Space Pirate Captain Harlock. I think I had seen the character in bits and pieces over the years (certainly recognized him visually), but my first real viewing was maybe an episode of the Nibelung series during anime clue in college, before picking up "The Endless Odyssey" series on DVD about 7 years later. Since then I've also seen him in "Arcadia of my Youth" and the Galaxy Express movies - although sadly, not the original tv series yet (hope to change that soon).
To be fair though...anyone can come at the 2013 movie with no background of the character. It's essentially a reboot as much as director Shinji Aramaki's "Appleseed" movie (and it's 2007 sequel). Really, that's kind of a good thing. Classic characters such as Kei and First Mate Yattaran appear recognizable - in somewhat less traditionally-Leijiverse shapes and sizes, while others such as Mimay have very different appearances. The Arcadia itself has even a deadlier aspect than it does in the anime - to my eyes at least - and ably carries out it's mission.
Of course, the meat of the movie is in Harlock's mission - his overarching century-long quest to find personal peace. The timeframe involved seems a little screwy given a number of the characters (although it could be related to relativity) - and the backstory and origin seems very different than what I recall from previous iterations. That said, the parallel stories of Harlock and Yama/Logan - each seeking redemption for tragic past mistakes - gives a little more drive to the somewhat generic (if visually thrilling space combat).
While the graphics are incredible for the space battles - especially on blu-ray, the deus-ex machina for some of the encounters (explained well after the fact) as well as the somewhat belated way the Gaia Coalition keeps trotting out new "ultimate weapons" from mothballs in a repeatedly futile way to stop the Arcadia - is really a little overdone.
Still though - it's a fine return to a classic character - although this iteration doesn't seem to really have a lot more drive to it - perhaps a reboot in a more traditional animated series telling an earlier period of the history - or even delving off into a farther corner of the galaxy - as we are repeatedly reminded that there were never any intelligent aliens discovered over the centuries aside from a few of Mimay's race. (and yet somehow the human colonies keep dying off.....)
The HK 2D/3D blu-ray is a beautiful release. I'll admit though - still only able to review the 2D version on my current system but you get an excellent picture and sound for a fracture of the price of the Japanese version - and being Region A - is fully compatible with US machines (Unlike the Australian release).
Personally this was a must-watch for me, but YMMV. For folks who aren't hardcore Leijiverse fans - probably better to rent first. Recommended!
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