Gundam 00 - A Wakening of the Trailblazer

GUNDAM 00 - A WAKENING OF THE TRAILBLAZER

The theatrical fim release that completes the Gundam 00 story.

OVERVIEW - Set 2 years after the end of season two of the series, The world is slowly coming to peace and understanding, and signs of the first Innovators, the Evolution of humanity caused by reaction to the release of GN particles, are starting to show.

REVIEW - Starting off with the return of several of the science crew of Celestial Being from a journey to Jupiter, constructing new drives for use in Gundams, The opening titles feature an abandoned probe being hit by something, and starting to re-activate. As this ends we're treated to a "Super-robot" style show that appears to mix the events of the end of both the anime seasons. Revealed to be a movie "Based on a real story" about the actions of Celestial Being, watched by Saji and a friend, we see that Saji has returned to his normal life, Louise still in hospital being treated for the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that caused all her breakdowns in the second series. Via Saji's narration it is revealed that the current peace is likely a reaction to the fear created in people by the overpowering strength and cruelty demonstrated by the A-Laws in the second season. 

We're then shown the military investigating the 15km "space arc" that houses Veda, used by Ribbons and the Innovades at the end of the second season, and much exposition is given directly regarding both the innovades, Biological terminals for Veda, linked via quantum brainwaves to it, and Innovators, as we meet Humanities first officially recognised Innvator, a captain in the military. The probe from Jupiter is found to be on a course for earth, and when conventional means of stopping it from hitting the earth fail, the Innovator captain heads out and destroys it, the fragments expected to break up during re-entry to the Earth's atmosphere. 

Setsuna, Lockon and the other bridge crew of Celestial being are shown, keeping a low-key approach but still protecting the peace. Setsuna has a "feeling" about the probe, and asks the others to look into it, finding out at around the same time as the Earth government does that not only did fragments fall to earth, but they appear to be moving and attacking anyone with high levels of quantum brainwaves, potential innovators. Setsuna and Lockon head to earth to locate and protect their friends. 

While protecting Saji and Louise, targetted because of Louise's quantum brainwaves, Setsuna appears to encounter Ribbons, but has a strange flash of something when the figure approaches, In the mean time, Allelujah and Soma/Marie investigate why the solar power plant has stopped working, only to be attacked by driverless vehicles. Eventually saved by the arrival of Lockon they rejoin with Setsuna then with the rest of Celestial Being. As they head off to try and work out what the strange metal objects are, the new Gundam Mecha's are revealed, once again appearing to be evolutions on the same designs as the series had. 

Around the time that Celestial Being encounter a copy of the destroyed probe, The scientists at the Earth Government realise that the metal objects are intelligent and completely alien. Mankind has encountered its first Extra terrestrial lifeform, and it seems bent on assimilating and destroying them. 

While the plot for the movie is weaker than the series, especially the second season, its a straight forward issue that doesnt really need an "outside the box" approach to it. The aliens absorb anything they come into contact with, infecting people and machinery alike, often copying its form. While the Earth government take the approach of defending themselves against a lifeform they cannot understand and that threatens them, Setsuna attempts to communicate with them using the GN field-enhanced telepathy that is a hallmark of an Innovator. As the story builds to a climax its ultimate outcome is somewhat predictable, but presented in a typical movie-style final confrontation thats visually appealing in that "summer blockbuster" manner, and is also reminiscent of the end of the Earth/Minbari war from Babylon 5. 

Stay watching past the end titles to see not only the reasons for the creation of "The Plan", but also the ultimate fate of humanity, Setsuna and Marina as well.. in a good example of that oh-so-japanese bittersweet manner. 

 SUMMARY -

Story -  Nowhere near as strong a plot as the series, its a first for any Gundam show, featuring actual alien life forms. Has a very linear story, with little room for surprises but manages to give a few none the less. Not exactly a great film to stand on its own but is an excellent "P.S." to the series. 7/10

 

Production - On Par with the second series, but on a much larger scale. excellent cinematic shots, top rate CG work once again really making use of the effects possible with 3D rendering and the voice cast working just as well as in the series too. A faultless display of how an anime feature film should be done. 10/10

 Music - Plagued by the same issue the second season had, with the opening and ending themes feeling out-of-place and at odds with the feeling of the film, its score however manages to take the epic feel of the series and bring it up to feature film levels with many pieces feeling much like upgraded versions of pieces used in the series. My only other niggle is the insert song used for "Setsuna's out of body experiences" which seems to kick in about 30 seconds too early, making its start take place in the middle of a large action sequence completely at odds with its folky/soft rock ballad style that suits the rest of the section. 8/10

Accessability -   Much like the second season, The film is set mostly in space or around the world, and again doesnt impose Japanese culture into areas and locations where it doesnt exist or is out of place, making the film accessable and easy to follow in this respect. 10/10

Overall Impression - A wonderfully action packed post script to the series, finally giving us a demonstration behind "The Plan" in all its parts, the need to unite humanity in understanding and peace, how leading humanity to innovation helps create and sustain that and the importance of the ability to honestly understand the mind and heart of another without misunderstanding. The plot isnt as impressive as the series but the subject matter is less complex, and part of me feels that the story was rushed somewhat, it easily could have been split into two or three films and expanded upon a little more. Not something I'd suggest people watch without having seen the series, its a nice ending to the saga. 6/10

 
Final Score - 41/50