If you've always wanted to see a live-action remake of the classic anime 'Starblazers', your time has finally come.

'Space Battleship Yamato' is an epic of Bay-like proportions, coming complete with a Steven Tyler ballad.

Having seen it earlier this year at the Japanese Film Festival on the big screen, I was delighted by the mix of melodrama, cool production design and nifty special effects.





I was also delighted to learn that Space Battleship Yamato is now available in Australia on Blu-ray and DVD. If you're a bit of a Sci Fi aficionado, and like to collect those 'hey, check this out' movies, then this is a must have.

I also grew up on 'Starblazers' - the central premise being that a wrecked WWII battleship is raised from the depths and reconfigured to fly into space - and into battle. What's not to love?

Seriously - it's got something for everyone. It works as ironitainment of the highest level - should you be in the mood for super cheesy dialogue, acting and general Japanese craziness, complete with 'on-the-nose' cuteness of mind blowing proportions, then this is a must have.

If you're feeling a bit emotional, a bit vulnerable, and are willing to let yourself be sucked in to a space opera that is unwilling to compromise - then this will just sweep you along. There are shadows of the remake of Battlestar Galactica here. No, really.

I enjoyed it on both levels. Insanely ridiculous and insanely cool live together side by side. It's an impressive low budget effort with large budget results. It's also of epic length - clocking in at over two and a half hours.





This live action version of the Starblazers story has been so well received, Christopher McQuarrie is rewriting a Hollywood version, which will probably, in many ways, be better, but in many other ways, not quite so good.

The story of the film - It's 2194, Earth is being attacked by unseen aliens that they call 'Gamilas' who reign asteroid bombs onto the surface, reducing humanity to rats in underground rubble, hiding from a radioactive surface.

Visions of a green past haunt humanity - there is no hope - except for the impossible long shot provided by a mysterious probe - and the Space Battleship Yamato!






An epic adventure ensues as a hot shot fighter pilot must face his past, his captain - and his girl, to become Earth's saviour.

Just when you've think you've seen it all, there's a new twist on a classic Sci Fi action moment - and it's dealt with in an idiosyncratic way.

I haven't enjoyed a film like this for ages. It's pure joy for Sci Fi fans who have their funny bone and their heart in the right places.

The Blu-ray and the DVD comes with behind the scenes extras, a visual effects piece and the original trailers.


Here's the trailer that gives you and idea of the epic-ness.