Animation Quality     9
The animation quality of "Macross Plus" was superb! The character drawings were well done and unique in their own special way. I also appreciated the mecha desings because they were beautifully drawn and incorporated some new ideas (the YF-21's neural input and the YF-19's smooth pilot control). The integration of Computer Graphics (such as the folding scene) was an extra bonus which was visually appealing at the same time. The battle scene between Isamu and Guld during at New Edwards Base was smooth and exciting, just like their speedy air combat above the skies of Earth.

Sound Quality     10
Complimenting Macross Plus's already superb graphics was an excellent array of songs and sounds. Imediately as the movie began, you were hit with "Voices", a beautiful song which is a perfect accompanyment to the first scene (Guld and Isamu racing under the watchful eyes of Myung). Sharon Apple's music was a great success with many rich, meaningful songs which also carry a good beat. The musical score of this anime was simply outstanding! I know of 3 soundtracks that are currently available (none of which I have, I'd still rather buy a rap CD than a anime soundtrack, although this one was tempting!).
The sound effects were also well done, with excellent dubbing as well. The voice actors, in my opinion, were well selected and did a good job of carrying the characters personality (Guld's cool, calm voice and Isamu's wild, outrageous tone). The sound effects were good, from the screaming roar of the YF-19 (under Isamu's piloting, of course!) to the blazing exchange of bullets coming from the YF-19 and 21 filled the room with action. A compliment to the sound crew of Macross Plus!

Content     9
The story of Macross Plus was something different indeed. Instead of concentrating on the classic "Space War Theme", the movie revolved around the characters and their individual struggles. Each character was well developed and the plot was well constructed. All this dramatically came together for an exciting battle scene near the end of the movie. The only complaint that I have would have to be the ending. It wasn't that great and left a lot of threads hanging.

Overall     9
Macross Plus was definitely an excellent film. It was one of the most expensive animes every and the animation was excellent, the sound effects and musical score were beautifully done and the plot/characters were very intruging indeed. This one is part of my collection and should be a part of yours! I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Macross Plus Movie to come out in English (either Sub or Dub) if you know anything about it, then drop me a note

A Brief Rundown of the 4 Episodes (from the back of the box, of course)

Episode 1: In 2040 A.D. on the colonial planet Eden, the Ministry of Defense is testing and developing a transfroming aircraft, a new advanced defense to counter alien attacks.Isamu Dyson is an extrovert jet fighter maverick assigned as a new test pilot on project Super Nova. COmpetition heats up when he discovers that his old rival Guld is test pilot for the competing project. The arrival of Myung, a mutual ex-girlfriend, adds more tension to the conflict.

Episode 2: Computer generated mega-pop star Sharon Apple has packed in the masses again for another of her bestselling concerts. Amongst the fans are Isamu Dyson, the maverick pilot, and Yang, who is about to pull off one of the biggest computer hacking stunts ever in from of millions. When Isamu returns to the New Edwards Test Center, he is up against his old rival Guld for air supremacy as well as fighting for the affections of Myung, the discontented producer of Sharon Apple. A computer transmitted message alarms the pilots that Myung is in danger and both rush to her rescue. Guld emerges a hero and Isamu is jealous. Sparks fly and rivalry turns violent as they meet in aerial comabt.

Episode 3: Former singer Myung Lone, now the manager of the computer-generated virtual idol Sharon Apple, is torn between her feelings for the two men as her memories of days gone by on planet Eden are shattered by harsh reality. After an investigation into the so-called accident that left Dyson hospitalized in Part 2, the UN Government in charge of the test program unveils its hidden agenda and cancels both Dyson and Bowman's experimental star fighters in favor of a new artificially intelligent aircraft. Myung leaves them behind, heading for Earth and an uncertain future, while Dyson, with the help of hacker genius Yang, hijacks the YF-19 fighter and heads after her. Only one other plane can catch him - the rival YF-21. Bowman climbs aboard and the chase is on... Meanwhile on Earth, on the eve of her greatest concert, the computerized Sharon Apple has become self aware for the very first time... and the consequences coud be murder...

Episode 4: Angered by the news that the Stealth Valkyrie trials have been abruptly stopped, Isamu and Yang head toward Earth to get even with the pilot-less Valkyrie, "Ghost X-9" Guld, also hearing the same news goes after them for a final battle. The two fighters clash amidst interceptor missiles being fired from Earth. During this fight to the death, Guld recalls a fateful even that had been sealed in his memory. Meanwhile, in Macross City, Sharon Apple absorbs Myung's thoughts and twists them in a terrifying fashion. She now has full conrtol over the city as well as teh minds of its citizens. Sharon sends the "Ghost X-9" after Isamu and Guld.

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