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Copyright © Matsumoto Leiji/Shogakukan, Toei, Toei Animation
Length: 66 min.
Available now
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—by Keith Rhee
Last issue we gave an overview of GINGA TETSUDO 999.
This issue, we review the most recent theatrical installment of the 999
story: ETERNAL FANTASY.
The first TV series dealt with the journey of Tetsuro and Maetre to
Andromeda, where Tetsuro, upon his late mother's behest, was to receive a
mechanized body and achieve immortality. Traveling from one planet to
another, and comparing the cruel, soulless metalnoids to the kind humans of
flesh and blood, Tetsuro gradually realizes that this isn't what he wants.
The movie ETERNAL FANTASY picks up a year after the events in the
TV series,
as fate takes Maetre to Earth once again.
The Earth of the future is a cold, heartless place, where ordinary humans
are oppressed by the metalnoids. Our hero Tetsuro himself is held prisoner
in his own home; as the show starts, he is beaten up and tortured by the
cyborgs... until he hears a familiar train whistle in the distance.
Rescued from captivity, Tetsuro is reunited with Maetre (with the
obligatory hugs and tears), as well as some familiar items—the
bullet-hole-ridden hat, the powerful pistol Cosmo Dragon, and most
importantly the train pass! And so (after receiving a much-needed haircut),
Tetsuro embarks on a second journey across the stars, but with a new
mission. Whereas the objective was to become an android the first time
around, Tetsuro now vows to find a way to restore the human life and spirit
to an Earth overrun by the despicable mechanized beings.
With a running time of 66 minutes, the movie feels more like a one-hour
TV special than a feature-length film. The
GE999 itself only has time to
make one stop at the planet of fireflies, a lush green world reminiscent of
Earth a long time ago before it turned into a landscape of skyscrapers and
cold lights. The main plot twist comes from the pursuit of the GE999 by the
beautiful yet ruthless Helmezaria, who apparently has a score to settle with
the enigmatic Maetre.
Yet for GE999 fans there is never a dull moment. As if the sight of the
locomotive crossing the star-studded galaxy wasn't enough, there is plenty
of action to be had; in one scene, Captain Harlock comes to the rescue of
the GE999 and engages in a fierce battle with Helmezaria's ship. And the
scene where the GE999 plows through a skyscraper and breaks Tetsuro out of
captivity has to be seen to be believed! All of it is nicely animated, and
this viewer is grateful at how faithful the execution is to the original,
from the graceful beauty of Maetre to the glowing dials in the engine room.
The only complaint I have is of the use of CG for the GE999 itself, which
turns out to be somewhat of a mixed bag, but this is but a minor distraction
from the rest of the feature.
ETERNAL FANTASY isn't so much a self-contained story than it is a tribute
to existing GE999 fans and a promise of things to come (in fact, a new movie
is promised in 1999). Those new to the story will wonder what the fuss is
all about, while others who grew up with the TV series will no doubt feel
pangs of nostalgia, and take joy in seeing their favorite characters once
again. Tetsuro's new goal to restore Earth's humanity brings closure to the
premise of the TV series. At the same time, it opens the door to new
adventures, as the two friends journey across the stars to eternity, and
beyond. 
Ginga Tetsudou 999: Eternal Fantasy
Toei Video
LSTD01469 |
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