This is the first in a trilogy of films adapting the original Mobile Suit Gundam series in a paced up yet still incredibly long format. This can very safely be watched in the place of the series, but you do trade some scenes for better overall animation quality. The first film covers the events of Amuro Ray's first flight in the Gundam all the way up to the fight with Garma Zabi.

The animation is passable, improving on the original in terms of avoiding stock animation (mostly) but still keeping the charm of the original's very saturated colours, large, blocky mobile suit designs and cute characters. I do prefer this approach to redoing the original, and I would say this means that the film generally gives the same experience as the series.

The films are edited a bit strangely, with very harsh cuts at times that don't give you much time to process what is happening. For example, in the early scenes a hole is blown in a colony and Amuro's father just gets sucked out into space, which happens insanely quickly and is barely brought up later. Characters die, jump between battle and being onboard, in and out of mobile suits and all around white base with very little warning from the score or dialogue. I have decided to optimistically take this as a way of showing how war does not allow people to take proper time to grieve or something, just make sure to not look away from the screen too long or you'll find yourself missing the whole battle.

Mobile Suit Gundam's greatest suit (lol) is by far its characters. Char particularly is THE character for most of MSG, and I am always glued to his presence and the incredible VA work. Amuro is a very interesting protagonist, subverting the expectation of a wide-eyed kid who wants to give his life in a cool robot to fight for justice, instead he is far more aware and sensitive, the first flight in the Gundam ends with him being visibly disturbed at his capability to kill. Amuro is often insubordinate to anyone he can be to, particularly Bright, the 19 year old captain of the white base who by far is the most relatable character, embodying the complaints of the viewer at Amuro and the other (child) soldiers aboard the white base by beating respect into them often.

The mobile suits are just cool. I like the Zaku II. Nothing more needs to be said without being unoriginal, big robots are cool and I very willingly assembled many gunpla after watching this film. They look cool, they sound cool, and they fight cool.

The original series and the film trilogy certainly hold up today. Maybe not as anybody's first anime, but I had plenty of fun experiencing an absolute classic in a faithful but revised form. Available on netflix brah.