Ahh yes, saw this movie when I had time during the COVID-19 epidemic. I noticed that I had this movie in my plan to watch list, of which I remembered adding because I saw some amazing sakuga clips of machinery and airplanes from this feature film. Gave it a try.

As Gainax's first feature length film, the quality of animation holds up as probably the best of its era. The music and sound design also fit well to this show, making big climactic moments pop and tense moments even more dramatic. Gainax has historically been known for making great shows, but also running out of budget near the end of each show, dropping the quality. Since this is a feature length film, I am proud to verify that this movie has very consistent quality. However, great animation and sound design is just a bare minimum to prevent your audience from loosing their immersion in your fictional world.

This film stars Shirotsugh Lhadatt, a young and dumb protagonist with his eyes set on the sky, flying in planes through the cloudy seas. However, because of his not-so-great grades in school, he was not allowed to join the Navy or Air Force, the only places you can learn to and fly planes and jets. He is redirected to the Royal Space Force, a sketchy research group set on sending an astronaut to space. That's where the adventure begins.

This story is most essentially about the spiritual awakening of an astronaut, and if that interests you as a concept, please watch this amazing movie. Many religious and spiritual themes are at the forefront of the movie, especially through Lhadatt's interactions with his love interest, Riquinni Nonderaiko, a young spiritual girl both charming and forgiving. As Lhadatt becomes more of a celebrity, he becomes more aware of his own actions, as well as the social disparity in their society. At first Lhadatt is misguided about what is "good" and "bad" through his own perspective, yet Riquinni guides him to understanding that these terms are only subjective, helping him reevaluate his actions and understand his place in the clockwork system of society.

Another interesting element to this story is the involvement with the military, specifically post-Cold War era politics, revolving around war and weapons of mass destruction. During this era, the US and USSR competed in a space race, a competition to send people outer space. Much of the politics in the movie mirror that of real world events surrounding the space race, like whether things like satelites and rockets would be used for war, reconnaissance, or nuclear weapons. Lhadatt even becomes the sacrificial lamb to entice a war between several nations. If you like political twists, especially those often seen in the Gundam universe, this movie might be for you.

Overall, I'd give this film a solid 10/10, and will forever be one of my favorite standalone films, even better than Laputa, Castle in the Sky, a favorite for many years. If you are a fellow nerd to have witnessed the mystique and glory of the space race, the flight of Sputnik, the launch of a rocket ship, or Neil's first steps on the moon, this is a must watch.