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REVIEW: Mobile Suit Gundam 00 the Movie: Awakening of the Trailblazer

-snippage-

akizuki minori wrote:

Boy how I wished that the show actually make the whole element you've stated above obvious (at least, easier) to realize instead of having to analyse the compelling elements of SEED to actually get it... And I personally HATED Destiny. Not SEED though, it was actually decent, I'd have loved the show if not because of the constant, annoying flashbacks that were thrown at me...

Jesus Christ dude it's like we think just alike. Totally, agree with you SEED was decent. Although,so as you refuse to analyze certain points (like how the pilots are able to survive death etc.) of the show.

So, we've officially stopped talking about the review and the movie less than 10% of us actually saw right?

Celestial Being does what it does for most of the series acutely aware that they are living contradictions, an idea that is expressed starting with the very first episode by Graham Aker. Cool & Twisted, I think this is something you should consider as well.

Moving right along, a handful of other things have caught my eye....

Charred Knight wrote:

Nations have a right to defend themselves, if they don't then they will weaken themselves and leave them open to attacks. I mean just look at how weak the ESF is by the end of Gundam 00, I mean they can't defend the Earth from an attack.

Well in the film, we are informed that the ESF has been drawing down its forces since the end of season two. They have fewer mobile suits. But its military strength was still considerable and they improved their hardware during the two-year time skip, as shown by the new GN-X model and the Brave mobile suit. spoiler[The Celestial Being spaceship from season two is outfitted for battle to take on the ELS.] Heck, the Gadelaza was a successful attempt to pack enough firepower for a small army onto one massive machine, a significant sign that they thought to use quality to compensate for quantity. However the ELS outclass us regardless, and it was palpable to me that humans wouldn't have had an advantage in numbers even in the best case scenario. Furthermore, I don't think it's much of a spoiler to say that the epilogue shows that we have not abandoned mobile suits (although, how they might have changed is very much up for speculation). Gundam Wing disarmament this is not.

Charred Knight wrote:

GWOtaku's review was basically a softball throw, where he never once challenges Seiji Mizushima for what he was actually trying to accomplish.

Considering that your idea of what the second season & the movie attempt and your opinions about them are pretty much not the same as mine by any stretch of the imagination, I hope you'll understand if I don't worry about this opinion too much. You view is simply very different from mine. My take is an honest point of view; I did not hold back or toss "softballs" to cover up what I thought were debilitating flaws. On the contrary, I described what I considered good and bad points from my perspective and made clear that I ultimately didn't walk away from the movie unfulfilled, so hopefully fans will be interested to buy the movie & check it out & make their own mind up. If I had walked away badly disappointed, I would have said so. Despite some problems I wasn't, so I did not. Trailblazer is neither a flawless film nor the extreme disappointment that its worst critics would suggest--in my opinion, of course.

Charred Knight wrote:

If mankind is to be unified than it's going to be by some brutal and tyrannical rule that suppresses beliefs like freedom. Mankind is a collection of individuals so it's only natural that those individuals do not get along. Do you honestly think China and America would ever unite peacefully? Either America forces their beliefs on to China, or China will force their beliefs on America. Their two separate countries with radically different beliefs.

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Do you think Ribbons, or Ali could be defeated through a hug? Do you think that the allies where wrong from defending themselves again the march of the Axis powers?

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Also peace is created through war [snip]

Not so fast. You single out Mizushima but "a dim view of war", in my words, is something that the entire Gundam franchise has in common. If you think that angle is thin and lame, that's fine, that's your opinion. But it's not something unique to 00. Gundam Unicorn's first episode has idealistic rhetoric coming from Cardeas Vist concerning Laplace's Box that is roughly on par with anything said anywhere else. In Char's Counterattack, Amuro Ray is optimistic that people can eventually change for the better and grow. This is just the tip of the iceberg, given how so much of AU Gundam tends to lean toward the idealism you find so absurd in contrast to the more somber and perhaps cynical (realistic?) tone taken by Universal Century. One distinct difference between the UC and the many AU Gundams, really, is that UC's protagonists are flawed-but-good heroes in spite of the world around them whereas in AU stories the main characters usually end up fighting to actually reach that better tomorrow. Whether the relative optimism that characterizes G, Wing, X, Turn A, Seed and 00 is ultimately an improvement or not is something reasonable people can disagree about. There are significant differences between each of course, but step back and take a look at the big picture--the status quo changes for the better to one degree or another every time, in contrast to how history repeats itself in so many ways during the Universal Century. Just some food for thought, take it or leave it.

As for that "Ribbons and Ali and the Nazis could never have been defeated with a hug!" comment: Of course not, and the series never says otherwise. There's a distinct difference between doing what's necessary and saying that the necessary thing was good. This is a simple concept that really shouldn't be difficult to comprehend. WWII was both a necessary fight and a tragic event in world history that cost many, many lives. Celestial Being does what it does for most of the series acutely aware that they are living contradictions, an idea that is expressed starting with the very first episode by Graham Aker. Cool & Twisted, I think this is something you should consider as well. One could look at Celestial Being's actions in season two and take it as one big crusade to clean up the mess they helped create and reclaim Aeolia's plan from Ribbons' hijacking. On smaller scale, take Setsuna in season two, who goes out of his way to help Saji and eventually snaps Graham out of his "Mr. Bushido" funk. The Gundam Meisters themselves (especially Lockon and Alleujah) would be the last people to put themselves on a pedestal for what they did.

The scene where Celestial Being attacks the Enact to me seems to me to come off as basically Celestial Being attack Europe not because of something they did but for something they could do. It's a radical behavior that I frankly don't agree with, I don't think individuals have the right to take justice into their own hands, especially against governments.

As for Celestial Being not being put on a pedestal, in the first season, yes, absolutely you're right, in fact Celestial Being comes off as worse than the super powers, with people like Alejandro Corner, Laguna Harvey, and Wang Liu Mei using Celestial Being for their own agendas.

The part where Sumeragi uses Billy shows that even the Celestial Being we know has a dark side.

The problem is that these aspects are removed in the second season, the World super powers combine into a world government that creates an organization that is the Titans under a different name

, Billy begins to work under the innovators,

Sergei becomes a minor character

, Soma Pieres's role is severely reduced 1/3 of the way through.

and Graham begins to cosplay as Wodan Ymir

out of the first season's enemies only Katie, and Patrick are not thrown under the bus.

Instead of the sympathetic world powers, the main villains are now a bunch of smug asses who spend most of their screen time mocking humans.

The intention is quite clearly to turn the story from a gray vs gray battle of idealism vs pragmatism into a Black vs. White story of an evil government vs the heroic rebels.

As for optimism, I have no problem with it when used correctly like with Mustang in the Fullmetal Alchemist manga/Brotherhood

or Lacus' speeches in Gundam Seed

War isn't so simple that theirs an easy answer to how to end it.

As for the strength of the ESF, do you honestly think they could actually repel an alien invasion when they can't defeat Celestial Being.

Their dependent on Celestial Being much like how Japan is dependent on America. Not exactly a great situation to be in.

You do realize that, that's what the United Nations do...right? Hell,that's what the purpose of Lacus little organization that she and the few remaining members of the Archangel did in the second part of SEED. But rather then your beliefs being made of common sense it's a result of your inability to forgo your pride.

Alejandro Corner, Laguna Harvey and Wang Liu Mei were CB agents with their own agendas and weren't following the original plan. Had they all three of them had a lust of power then there wouldn't have been the side effects of Graham being distorted by their existence and Saji losing his sister and his girlfriend Louise losing her arm and whole family. CB main crew however were in no way directly responsible for those unfortunate events.

*facepalm*

For gods sakes man! Sumeragi was not working under CB when she was staying with Billy. The reason she was crashing at Billy's house was because she couldn't take it anymore feared that she was making the same mistake she did around the time she was in the AEU.

Sumeragi had a botched a mission and received poor intelligence that had resulted in a friendly fire from both her and Katie Mannekin's parties. This incident not only was one of the worst friendly fires in the 00 verse but also cost the life of her boyfriend Emilio Ribisi. That's the reason why Sumeragi is so hard on herself and only vies for success when coordinating missions for Celestial Being.

So what? SEED DESTINY created a copy of Kamille Bidan, Shinn Asuka only he was more of a butt monkey for Mitsuo Fukuda. Only difference being is that he's stomped on by nearly everyone in the series and suffers ridiculously fail character development.

Because Sumeragi trampled all over his feelings and wanted comfort. In a since Billy was using them.

The hell are you talking about? He made more appearances than any other soldier working for the Earth Sphere Federation (aside Patrick Kati).

Geez, I can't believe GwOtaku is even acknowledging you when it's quite clear YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!

He's parodying the char clones

Funny, that's what Rau spends most of his screentime doing. - _-


The Federation wasn't evil it was it's private army the A-laws that were. Everyone in the federation were regarded with much respect.

In Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood/manga Mustang barely seems like anyone. Not to mention that most of the characters personalities actually go to "unrealistic levels".

That was the funny part of SEED to me. To grow a bigger brain Lacus had to go into SEED mode and try to arouse the crowd with one of her speeches yet everyone keeps on fighting.

Now explain to me how the what part of what Celestial Being is doing is considered EASY? As I've been saying before but you've been closing your ears singing "La la la la la" that Aeolia Schenberg's plan spanned longer then the time that transpired between season one and two.

It's worth trying, part of being human is fighting to the bitter end. Regardless of whether CB did it's interventions they still wouldn't have been able to combat the alien force. It's like humanity in Dragon Ball Z believing that Mr. Satan/Hercule was their last hope rather then Goku.

Ummm...Yeah no. Even during the movie when CB and the federation were working together the aliens still held the advantage. If anyone was to be depended on it was Setsuna.

Lacus did not start the Second Bloody Valentine War, Gilbert Durandal, and Logos where the ones who started it. Celestial Being started the war when they attacked the Enact and then basically declare war on the the world super powers. I don't agree that you should attack people who don't agree with you.

While the Celestial Being crew we see for most of the series is not responsible for the problems the agents caused, the agents are part of the plan and they are abusing it.

You just can't claim that Celestial Being is just one ship and her people.

The agents while not a public face of Celestial Being is still part of Celestial Being.

I was talking about how Sumeragi used Billy when she got the data from him, and didn't refuse it.

She didn't mysteriously quit during the middle of the first season.

Not when she stayed with him during the break which certainly was really cold by her also.

The problem isn't that 00 copied Zeta Gundam, every AU Gundam series except for G Gundam copies previous Gundam series. Hell Gundam Seed was a remake of MSG.

The problem is that the ESF created an evil army that it refuses to control.

So since Sumeragi was an ass towards him, Billy was right to join the Innovators out of jealousy?

If some girl uses you, you're not going to join the Neo Nazis or some terrorist organization are you?

In the second season several other members of the Earth Federation got a lot more screen time than Sergei. He appears early, get some screen time with Soma Pieres than re-appears to spoiler[die]

Ok so Mr. Bushido was supposed to be a parody of Char Clones, his not funny, nor is he competent. To see a really good parody of a certain char clone play the game Super Robot Wars OG2.

Rau spends most of his time spoiler[manipulating the Natural and the coordinators to kill each other.]. He doesn't start ranting until the end of the series.

A-Laws are an official part of the Earth Sphere Federation, and the Federation are responsible for the actions of the A-Laws.

How was a small group of people defeating the world's armies relatively easily (a couple Celestial Being members die but that's it)

, then the Earth uniting with limited complaints(NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN), then the small group returns and once again defeat the world's armies relatively easily with minimal casualties, and then the world is at peace.

How was that hard? A massive complaint against Gundam Seed Destiny and to a less degree Gundam Seed was the fact that the battles where one sided affairs in which the heroes defeated the enemies without a scratch.

Gundam 00 was barely better than the C.E series on that account. Most of the battles especially in the second season became predictable

with the various gundams battling than winning when they go Trans-Am.

It would be a whole lot easier to fight off aliens if the people actually had confidence in their government instead of relying on an army not affiliated with the government.

You do know that Setsuna is a member of Celestial Being right? The fact that they rely upon Setsuna the most has to do with the fact that Seiji Mizushima tends to concentrate on one character

, compare how much Ed accomplishes by himself in the first anime to the original manga which is more of an ensemble piece.

and constantly insulting people for their different opinions is how to win a debate?

Not once have I insulted you because frankly I now know that's not how you talk to a human being.

Just because people have different opinions doesn't mean you need to confront them with hostilities.

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The scene where Celestial Being attacks the Enact to me seems to me to come off as basically Celestial Being attack Europe not because of something they did but for something they could do. It's a radical behavior that I frankly don't agree with, I don't think individuals have the right to take justice into their own hands, especially against governments.

You do realize that, that's what the United Nations do...right? Hell,that's what the purpose of Lacus little organization that she and the few remaining members of the Archangel did in the second part of SEED. But rather then your beliefs being made of common sense it's a result of your inability to forgo your pride.

......


Ummm...Yeah no. Even during the movie when CB and the federation were working together the aliens still held the advantage. If anyone was to be depended on it was Setsuna.

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You do know that Setsuna is a member of Celestial Being right? The fact that they rely upon Setsuna the most has to do with the fact that Seiji Mizushima tends to concentrate on one character

And you do realize that Mitsuo Fukuda cut Shinn Asukua's character development in half to spend time ravishing Kira. Yeah, that's real smart. Can't let go of his preciousss like Masashi Kishimoto can't stop dickriding Sasuke for a minute to focus on Naruto. And even when he does it's sloppy work. Kira was one of the most over-powered characters in the series that it's ridiculous. It's like dialogue was traded in favor of mecha battles.

All the characters received equal attention you're just being curmudgeon.

Jesus Christ CK even on here you make zero sense. The world in 00 is unbelievably and indefinitely stupid. Yes, you can respect that they're building weapons, but the fact they're using it to war with one another so far into the future when by the 2030's they should be able to understand one another. It's so stupid to the point it's just plain sad. Hell, by this times aliens could emerge at any time and they're at each others throats.

Celestial Being's interventions brought the world together because they had a common enemy: Celestial Being. Kinue Crossroad uncovered it and she was right: It wasn't just to end the war it was to bring people together. And it did, the war was at peace for 4 whole years until the in-fighting between both companies began. Not just the war because of the atrocious behaviors of the A-laws but the shadow organization covering up their actions and further distorting the world: the Innovators.

By acknowledging their faults both the Celestial Being and the rest of the world have a better understanding one another. That they're both flawed human being with innumerable mistakes made. For Celestial Being it was driving Graham insane and Louise losing her entire family and Saji's sister dying due to trying to investigate Celestial Being. For the world it was the A-law the independent military employed by the Earth Sphere federation.

And you know what? Both groups confronted and solved their problems. Kati Mannekin working under the orders of the federation got them to point their guns at the ones responsible for the discourse caused in the world and responsible for groups that opposed the Earth Sphere Federation like Katharon and the mistreatment of the middle east. Celestial Being, namely Setsuna confronted and helped people like Saji face their problems and bring Louise back to her old self and understand CB's trying to atone as well as they're sincerity. And lastly there was Graham they cured his insanity caused by his lust for fighting the Gundams. Not only did it work too but helped him realize he didn't have to dedicate his entire life to defeating them but live for the future.

And at the end of the TV series what do we find out? That this was all in Aeolia's calculations.

Had the world been this way before Celestial Being intervened everyone would be dead and the world would annihilate itself. The Middle East would eventually bare arms against the rest world but the 3 superpowers would destroy each other. The Middle East was persecuted in the same way it is today and received zero help from the rest of the world. Hell, Katharon would've formed back then season one as well had this carried on.

Also is a malignant, aristocratic, charming marvelous character. He represents the pure idea of extreme vicious contempt for the world and a more violent interventions that Celestial Being performed in season one. Not just them but akin to the Trinity's style but a billion times harsher. He's a far more educated and a more total bad-ass then Gilbert and Rau from *cough* gawdy awful *cough* *cough* SEED.

Cool & Twisted, please. It's one thing to go off-topic (something virtually everyone in this thread was guilty of, including me), but you could at least be civilised about it.

I'm surprised I didn't have an aneurysm going through his post.