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Americans know Super Dimension Fortress Macross (Chojiku Yosai Macross, 1982) as the first of the three series that were combined to create Robotech in 1985. (The others were Genesis Climber Mospeada and Super-dimensional Cavalry Southern Cross). Although there are story differences between Robotech and Macross, the basic plot remains the same: a gigantic derelict spaceship crashes on an island in the Pacific, changing the course of human history. After a decade of restoration, the Earth forces re-launch the flying fortress now called the Macross, just as the alien Zentraedi attack, hoping to recapture their ship and its long-lost technologies.

For this reissue, ADV prepared a new translation and English dub. These actors offer performances that are livelier and less stilted than the casts of Robotech and the previous version of Macross. Vic Mignogna makes brash young pilot Hikaru Ichijo more likeable and his relationship with his ex-trainer Roy Fokker (Brett Weaver) more believable. Mari Iijima, the original Japanese Lynn Minmay, re-creates her role in English, but her thick accent doesn't help the already brittle pop-diva in-the-making. ADV has restored the faded visuals, pumping up the color and restoring warm flesh tones to the ghostly white faces. But there are trade-offs: the increased color saturation gives Roy pumpkin orange hair.

Ultimately, the historic significance of Super Dimension Fortress Macross outweighs the quality of its animation, direction, and storytelling. (Rated TV PG, suitable for ages 10 and older: mild profanity; violence restricted to spaceship and robot battles) --Charles Solomon

• Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.33:1
• Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
• MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.75 x 5.75 x 0.5 inches; 3.2 ounces
• Director ‏ : ‎ Noboru Ishiguro
• Media Format ‏ : ‎ Color, Dolby, NTSC, Multiple Formats, Animated
• Run time ‏ : ‎ 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Actors ‏ : ‎ Arihiro Hase, Mari Iijima, Mika Doi, Tsutomu Fujii, Sh Hayami
• Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English
• Language ‏ : ‎ Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Studio ‏ : ‎ ADV Films
• Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1