MARIO GAUCI
Note: This review also concerns the following "Goldrake" feature films - GOLDRAKE L'INVINCIBILE, GOLDRAKE ADDIO! and MAZINGA VS. GOLDRAKE.I grew up watching the original series and a handful of similar anime on Italian TV; consequently, re-acquainting myself with it on DVD via an Italian 5-Disc Set proved extremely nostalgic...but, at the same time, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it generally held up after all these years! Admittedly, I'm averse to today's children's programmes from what little crosses my path while TV zapping, the style of animation itself has largely gone to the dogs: even if the "Goldrake" series dates from the mid-1970s, the detail is incredible with beautiful colors, imaginative settings and an action-packed narrative. The four films (compiled expressly for Italian consumption where Goldrake was, at the time, a phenomenon) package together a number of episodes, so that they feature a battle (designating the climax of each programme) every 20 minutes or so. Characterization is not exactly one-note, but certainly clearly-defined (especially the villains); it was also interesting to note the changes made to characters, robots, vehicles and settings throughout the films which in the series was, obviously, done more gradually. The comic relief is the most dated and childish aspect about it, though this is thankfully downplayed in the last 2 films.The third film is the longest and best with the villains more engrossed in doing in one another, and which includes scenes that never made it into the series as originally broadcast on Italian TV! The fourth, then, was exhibited in the widescreen format: it brings together a plethora of robots/mutants (Devilman, Mazinga Z, Mazinger, Getta Robot) and villains but results in being extremely muddled in development (and disjointed in effect) by trying to cram too much in a mere 75 minutes! Other DVDs of these type of animated series such as Mazinga Z and Mazinger (the latter being a continuation of the former, and both among my personal favorites) are available for rental and I'd love to check them out eventually...
lefrelonvert
OK, the animation may be stiff and the characters cardboard, but this show carries great memories for thousands of people around the world. Mildly successful in Japan, "Grendizer" aka "Goldorak" or "Goldrake" was one of the first Japanese cartoons to achieve such great success and retain a cult following for such a long time. Even today, the struggle of the hero Actarus (aka Duke Fleed) against the evil hordes of "Great Strateguerre" Vega give me shivers down my spine! BTW, among the corny aspects of the show, which add to its appeal : why the heck does Vega keep sending his giant robots ONE BY ONE (gettings their asses kicked by Grendizer episode after episode) instead of sending them all in one big assault? Beats me. Talk about a lousy galactic overlord! Seeing a Grendizer episode is like a fountain of youth to me ! I just can't get enough of its cheesy charm!
whamontree
There are at least two United States versions of this series. One (the superior in my opinion) was part of Jim Terry's Force Five, a show composed of five different animated series from Japan. Another is a feature-length "movie" composed of four or five of the show's pivotal episodes spliced together. The Force Five version went all the way through the original series while the "movie" only covers the first "boss villain's" introduction and defeat.Either way you get it, Grandizer is a fun show. The hero, Duke Fleed (aka Orion Quest) is an experienced pilot right off the bat so they can skip the tedious training and such that seems to be the mainstay of most super and giant robot shows. Grandizer is also interesting in that he doesn't triumph because he is much more powerful than his foes (though he is powerful), he wins because he's *better* than they are.Duke himself is an alien, physically superior to humans. Also, he is the reluctant hero type. However, he knows it was his fault the Vegan empire came to Earth and it's his responsibility to fight them. He only hesitates for the briefest of moments before unearthing Grandizer and heading into combat once more. His angst is there but not the alpha and omega of his character. Contrast this to shows like Evangelion, in which the characters' angst was all there was to them.The supporting cast, including Koji Kabuto from "Mazinger Z", come off well with the exception of a midget cowboy apparently put in just to make fun of Americans. Fortunately, he doesn't do much. It's a lot of fun to see how Duke will prove himself superior to Koji from episode to episode. It's as if Go Nagai, creator of both "Grandizer" and "Mazinger Z", didn't really like Koji and wanted to humiliate him at every opportunity.If you can find the "movie" version, pick it up. It's a lot of fun especially if you enjoy "old-school" super robots. The Force Five version is more satisfying, if you can get ahold of it. I am unaware of any subtitled in English versions of the original Japanese unless you can track down a fan sub.
bebebert
Cult series across France, Belgium, Italy, Quebec, as well as some part of the Arabic world, like Tunisia. The show was a huge hit for children growing in the late 70s or early 80s. Adults may find it somewhat repetitive, unless they have an interest for anime and mangas. It has been designed with a target audience of 5 and 6 y.o. boys in mind.Crappy English tranlastions can account for part of its lack of success in the English-speak world. One UK translation is supposed to be correct, more respectful of the original.A web search should reveal more than a few fan sites. The series ran on French tv (FR2, FR3 and TVA) from 1978 to 1989.A lot more imaginative than what most shows offer today--although its not a family show, just a children show. ;-)))