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ADV Films presents

Robotech #13: New Generation: Genesis (1985)

"That has got to be the weirdest hive I've ever seen."- Scott Bernard (Greg Snow)

Stars: Greg Snow, Reba West, Jonathan Alexander, Drew Thomas
Other Stars: Deanna Morris, Thomas Wyner, Brittany Harlow, Donn Warner, Alex Roberts, Tony Oliver, A. Gregory, Noel McGrath, Sandra Snow
Director: Robert Barron, Ippei Kuri

Manufacturer: JVC
MPAA Rating: Not Rated for (animated violence)
Run Time: 02h:13m:52s
Release Date: 2002-03-19
Genre: anime

Style
Grade
Substance
Grade
Image Transfer
Grade
Audio Transfer
Grade
Extras
Grade
B BBB- D

 

DVD Review

Another six installments in the Mospeada section of Robotech comprises the second to last disc in the series. While the team led by Scott Bernard is still heading towards the Invid stronghold, they manage to get side-tracked at every opportunity. The episodes here are pretty much self-contained with tie-ins from previous shows; still, I'm finding the continuity a bit imaginative. Having not seen the original Japanese version yet (which is coming later this year from ADV), I can't say whether this is due to the English rewrite or was part of the Mospeada plot as well.

The Invid have a new trick up their sleeve with an improved shocktrooper mecha. Meanwhile, our crew wander into an area of the Invid biofarm inhabited by humans, who have only primitive weaponry and accuse the freedom fighters of angering their river God, which is actually a dam. Among these tribesmen is the young warrior MacGruder, who captures Lancer as his wife-to-be, not realizing he is a man! Embarrassed by this mistake, he sets off to conquer the Invid who are approaching, but Annie decides to help out. MacGruder's success on his mission will allow for the choosing of any woman as his bride. Could this finally lead to Annie's Wedding?

The toil of their battle with the Invid is taking its toll, as the weary warriors continue their journey to Reflex Point. Trapped underground after an attack, the fragile tendrils holding the group together begin to fray, as its members consider going their Separate Ways.

Disturbed that their infiltrator into the human camp hasn't been reporting back, and still unable to quell the rebels who are fighting against them, the Invid come up with another ploy. Two Invid undergo Metamorphosis into human form, to pilot battle armor. At the same time Scott and his crew discover an old naval base, which offers a sea route into the Invid stronghold. When Lancer first encounters the new humanoid Invid, he causes an unexpected emotional reaction in the female.

As the troupe crosses an icy mountain pass that only a few days ago was experiencing summer, Marlene's ability to sense the oncoming Invid attackers results in a painful warning. Sera, the new female Invid, leads an assault, but because of some strange force, is unable to fight against Lancer. The crew split up to defend themselves, as they try to ward off their enemies. Lancer begins to have suspicions about his Invid nemesis, and wonders why Marlene seems to be known to her in The Midnight Sun.

The freedom fighters become unwelcome guests in a Ghost Town, where they discover the remnants of Rick Hunter's first wave of warriors. When a gang of thieves steals their mecha, Scott and company find a storehouse of ancient weaponry, and a band of veterans from the first Robotech wars, who have now given up their cause. Scott's crew have to destroy an Invid transmission tower, but can they do it on their own?

In the final installment, suffering from Frostbite, the team discovers a city beneath the icy surface of a mountain pass. When they crash down on top of it, the crew gets a chance for a brief vacation in the abandoned metropolis, where foodstuffs and clothing are left intact. Their reprieve from battle won't last for long, but does offer a bit of recreation, here where it's warm, and out of the cold world above.

The action continues in Robotech, though the journey seems overly disjointed. The stories each have a unique personality, but don't really fit into a linear continuity—in one episode the team is on the other side of a body of water from their objective, then the next three episodes they are traversing a mountain range. The Invid are supplied with ever-strengthening mecha, and battles continue to be waged. The character development continues, keeping things interesting, especially with the introduction of our new humanoid Invid, who, like their alien predecessors, are not accustomed to emotions. Only one more disc to go as we make our way to the finale of the Robotech series.

Rating for Style: B
Rating for Substance: B

 

Image Transfer

 One
Aspect Ratio1.33:1 - Full Frame
Original Aspect Ratioyes
Anamorphicno


Image Transfer Review: Image quality is on par with the rest of the New Generation portion of the show. Colors are generally strong, however they do seem a bit inconsistent from shot to shot, and there are also some color shifts within scenes. Black levels are pretty good, though a little weak in places. There is a bit of ringing in the image, some minor color bleeding, and mild, but unnatural grain. Defects are primarily in the source art, with dust and dirt on the cells evident. Better than parts of this series by a long shot.

Image Transfer Grade: B
 

Audio Transfer

 LanguageRemote Access
DS 2.0Englishno


Audio Transfer Review: Audio quality doesn't change much from previous installments. Frequency response is limited, sibilance is only slightly exaggerated, and hiss is audible though not overpowering. Dialogue is intelligible, but does get a bit edgy at times. All of these issues seem source-related.

Audio Transfer Grade: B- 

Disc Extras

Full Motion menu with music
Scene Access with 30 cues and remote access
6 Other Trailer(s) featuring Soul Hunter, Those Who Hunt Elves, Farscape, Dirty Pair Flash, Power Stone, Princess Nine
Packaging: Scanavo
Picture Disc
1 Disc
1-Sided disc(s)
Layers: dual

Extras Review: Trailers once again are the only extras. Included on this disc are Soul Hunter, Those Who Hunt Elves, Farscape Dirty Pair Flash: Random Angels Power Stone and Princess Nine.

Extras Grade: D
 

Final Comments

Disc thirteen contains another six adventures in the Mospeada based New Generation segment of Robotech. Quality is even throughout, and the stories are varied, with a decent amount of character development. Fans of the series should be pleased, with only one more disc to go to complete the set.

Jeff Ulmer 2002-03-13