Macross Frontier The Movie: The False Diva Review

24.11.2009 by Adrian A. Lozano

“Macross Frontier The Movie: The False Diva” is a retelling of events that took place in the TV series executed in a slightly different way. Unlike “Macross the Movie: Do You Remember Love?” in 1983, which was all new animation and a major overhaul in terms of settings and costume design, the Frontier movie was done with far less effort. Frontier’s scattered visual aesthetic changes are fairly minor while character plots are turned upside down or just down right non-existent. Before going any further, know that there will be spoilers ahead, so if you plan on coming to Japan to see the Frontier movie during it’s run stop reading here, otherwise you might as well continue as it will most likely never be released theatrically worldwide anyway.

The film’s only tension-filled moment is the opening shot of deep space where somebody is floating alone in an EX Gear suit. Personally I was hoping it was going to turn out to be Michael’s dead body, as I prayed that instead of a retelling we had an actual continuation of the story about to unfold. But alas it just turns out to be Alto staring off into the vastness of space then trusting back to Island 1 as the narration of the Macross colonization back-story starts with very elaborate fine detailed Frontier fleet scenes. The first half is pretty parallel to the first few episodes with Sheryl and Grace arriving on Island 1, only this time they are both aware they are there for the concert and another very important task / target which happens to be finding Ranka. Alto, Chibi-Klan, Luca, Michael and Ranka are an already established tight circle of friends. Nanase is completely removed from the storyline and replaced by Alto as Ranka’s closest friend and secret high school crush. Alto is still the same as always. He treats Ranka like a close friend / little sister and surprises Ranka with the sold out concert ticket (originally given to her by Ozma in the series).

Just like in the series, the boys do their acrobatics for Sheryl’s concert prior to the Vajra attack. Sheryl’s performance is way over the top; even though it’s more elaborate than the series, the concert has far less of an impact. Sheryl is sexed up more than usual –and her g-string booty is shaking in Zentradi size on holographic projectors. Nice touch, but it does nothing to move the story forward. Then all of a sudden we jump to stock footage of the VF-171 squads launching for absolutely no specific reason. It even seems that the pilots are already aware of how vicious this new unseen enemy is, as they are all shaking while in route to intercept. The Vajra are not given any type of introduction. More stock footage of the SMS Skull squad and the Vajra breaking though the defense line and getting into Island 1 in search of Ranka.

During the evacuation of the concert, both Alto and Sheryl flee to the rooftop and knocked to the ground in a blast from the Vajra. Alto fails to rescue her from the fall, so Sheryl instead she uses a pyrotechnical concert prop implanted in her skirt to ease her decent. The rest of this scene is pretty much identical to the series with some slight plot twists. Brera somehow is also there to protect Sheryl apposed to his sister Ranka, who is slowly starting to have unclear flashbacks from her past due to her run in with the Vajra.

Fast-forward a bit and Alto eventually joins the SMS while spending most of his free time running around with Sheryl. In the meantime, Ranka’s girl next-door rise to fame plays out. Ranka’s idol time is brilliant, and probably the only improvement in comparison to the series. The movie Ranka oozes “moe” far less this time around. There are no “kira” gestures and she is no longer a klutz, yet her lolicon side is still very present. Unfortunately, all the other characters are watered down to almost nothing. Michael and Klan’s relationship is not even touched on. It’s even hard to say if Grace or Leon are plotting to take over this time around.

After being suspected as spies, Grace and Sheryl get word that the Galaxy fleet is being overrun by the Vajra and that a SOS distress call was ignored by the Frontier fleet. With little options left, Sheryl pays the private SMS army to assist Galaxy with a swipe of here intergalactic credit card. As the Galaxy rescue mission is underway, Sheryl holds her re-scheduled concert ala “Disney’s Fantasmic.” As Ranka starts to sing along from the stands the Vajra hear it as a call and space fold back to the Frontier to find her. From here on out the pace of the film speeds up into a save Ranka, save Sheryl, repeat mode..

The final battle is great in terms of action and music, and there a few notable elements like a fake out Michael death and a “Macross Zero” Bird Human type Ranka abduction. The film comes to a close as the good guys win and the Vajra retreat. Following the end credits was a very short preview for part two. The clip starts off with a classic VF-1 Valkyrie rising on the launch deck of the Macross Quarter. The VF-1 is fitted with Fast Packs and is covered in a red and orange color scheme similar to Bassar’s Fire Valkyrie from “Macross 7.” Then there is an illustration of Sheryl and Ranka in wedding dresses with the part two title "サヨナラノツバサ “The Wings of farewell.”

“Macross Frontier The Movie: The False Diva” is full of fan service, great music and awesome mecha battles, but there is still plenty of room for improvement. As much as I love Macross and enjoyed the Frontier series, I have to admit that while I enjoyed the film it certainly fell short of my expectations.

Additional points:

Sheryl claims to have never meet Ranka before yet she has pictures of a younger Ranka, her mother and Mao in her cell phone.

Sherly knows the song Aimo and was on Gallia 4 when the Vajra attacked the Gloval Fortress.

After putting on Sheryl 's earring Alto can see and feel Sheryl's painful past.

Ranka's stomach glows after coming in contact with Ai-kun.

The new Vajra cruiser has a force shield that can deflect blasts from Battle Frontier's main cannon.

Sherly is able to emit her own fold wave and can also attract the Vajra.