Buzz
Grandiose, dramatic yet delicately humane, Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan's Island delivers unexpected nuances to its audience.
Considered as the final Gundam masterpiece by the legendary director Yoshikazu Yasuhiko - the visionary behind 6 parts of the Gundam Origin OVA and the film Mobile Suit Gundam F91. Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan's Island immediately garnered anticipation and regret among fans upon its release.
According to the producers, the screenplay for Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan's Island was adapted from episode 15 of the original anime series. At that time, the creator of the series - Yoshiyuki Tomino, requested Bandai Entertainment to exclude this episode from the official release. Consequently, many viewers missed out on this episode and proceeded directly to episode 16 titled: Sayla’s Agony.
It is precisely because of this omission that the story in Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan's Island becomes even more anticipated, as the screenplay was crafted by the father of Gundam for a long time, yet the filmmaking techniques are very modern.
Will the intersection of the past and the present create a masterpiece?
The film boasts stunning visuals and special effects.
From the outset, critics hailed Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan's Island as a visually striking masterpiece, thanks to the involvement of two visual maestros, Atsushi Tamura (Weathering With You) and Tsukasa Kotobuki (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin). However, it was not until it hit the screen that the true brilliance unfolded, with every detail of Gundam remaining intact, while the effects in the epic battle scenes were upgraded to an unbelievable level.
The nostalgia in the film feels like taking viewers back to the first time they saw Gundam on the small TV screen—exciting, exhilarating, yet somewhat intimidating. Now, watching Gundam on the big screen still evokes excitement, perhaps more suspenseful and tense, as the cinematic storytelling is undoubtedly more dramatic!
The film's narrative goes beyond the struggle between powerful Mobile Suits.
In addition to the action-packed aspect of the film, Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan's Island also delivers an emotionally moving story between Cucuruz Doan - a former Zeon pilot who deserted and chose a modest, peaceful life, and the children on a distant island.
The way Doan and the children learn to rely on each other, survive together, self-sustain on the deserted island truly inspires, providing viewers with a sense of tranquility amidst the tense rhythm of the film.
Despite retiring and leaving behind the life of a soldier, Cucuruz Doan has not lost his sense of self and instinct. When faced with intrusion, Doan immediately makes the outsiders pay a hefty price. This aspect makes the character of Cucruruz Doan unpredictable, full of emotion yet resolute. It promises to offer the audience a fresh perspective on the Gundam story.
Contemporary issues are also dissected
Just because Gundam is a long-standing franchise doesn't mean the film lacks contemporary relevance. The movie surprised many viewers with its emphasis on psychological aspects - issues that are of utmost concern to future generations. Amuro's past is delved into more deeply, the psychological traumas during the character's growth are rightly assessed and handled - though not deeply profound, they carry high cognitive value. This helps viewers with similar stories see themselves in it and find better ways to cope.
Conclusion
With the above, Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan's Island has almost gathered enough elements to become one of the best animated films of the year. Not to mention, the film debuts at the start of a long summer vacation, a time for families to relax and have fun. Surely this will be a sensible choice to share some comfortable moments together!
The film is now showing in theaters nationwide.
