Robotech Remastered - Volume 2 Extended Edition

The main attraction of this "new-&-improved" edition is the inclusion of some "new" footage that was originally edited out of the original Macross show `cuz it was considered less than appropriate for the American kidvid audience at the time. The more notable extra bits in this particular collection consist primarily of the extended death scenes of Roy Fokker and Ben Dixon. And thanks to this set containing two flashback/recap-type shows (`Gloval's Report' and `Phantasms', respectively) featuring recycled footage from previous eppies, the viewer is once again treated to Minmei showering (from episode 4), and another scene extension (Zentraedi soldier gettin' shot from behind by Fokker in his Skull Leader rig) that, oddly, wasn't shown first time `round. Otherwise, not much else in the way of visuals has been thrown back into the mix. Well, except for the redone opening and closing credits, which contains new typeface and more Macross footage to replace the excised Southern Cross and New Generation bits. `Course, if you've seen the original Macross show that the first act of Robotech is based on (which I highly recommend if you haven't seen it yet--the second set, which covers the same episodes as this collection, is available for purchase at www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000B1ODN/qid=1080091979/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-0457490-8406223?v=glance&s=dvd), the added scenes won't be all that new to ya, anyway...

My biggest disappointment with this set was the remastered video, which displayed inconsistent picture quality throughout. Fortunately, the picture clarity here is a might better than the even-more-inconsistent video quality of the first Robotech Remastered set (check it out at www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00011ZBRA/qid=1080091881/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl74/103-0457490-8406223?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846). Sadly, Harmony Gold was unable to acquire the footage that AnimEigo painstakingly cleaned and restored for the aforementioned Macross DVD sets, and had to go with the best of what they had on hand. Which was okay for what it was, but not as sharp, clear, and vibrant as I was hopin' it'd be...

This collection's one truly extensive improvement is the sound mix, which has been beautifully remastered in 5.1 channel stereo. Most of the sound effects have been totally redone, especially the various explosion and space fold noises. The only downside to the new explosions is that they're not too varied; most of `em sound like rock slides and crumbling masonry. You know, noises that a metal spaceship most likely doesn't make when it's gettin' blasted to bits (`course, I could bring up the point that there shouldn't be any noises at all in the space battles, but that'd be gettin' too anal-retentive). Other sounds have been "boosted" for better auditory perception. The most noticeable examples of this enhanced audio are the background noises that play during the "battle stations" scenes on the SDF-1's bridge. But the best audio improvement of all is the remastered voice track: they fixed it so that it stands out reasonably well from the background sounds, thus making the dialogue more comprehensible.

As for bonus material and special features-- well, aside from trailers for other ADV anime videos and a cutesy transformable super-deformed Skull Leader Veritech fighter toy, there ain't any. Looks like you'll hafta hang on to those `Elements of Robotechnology' bonus discs that came with the Legacy Collection box sets you bought a couple years back (and don't tell me you didn't buy `em, `cuz I know better!) if you've a hankerin' for supplemental material...

`Late


One of the greatest animated television shows Remastered.   April 27, 2004
Andrew Cross (Minneapolis, Minnesota United States)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

You have heard it before and you will it hear it again. Robotech is a landmark in the history of animated TV shows and few have ever reached such greatness. That is the opinion I had when I was 10 years old and its still the same today. Watching the show now, I am amazed by how smart Robotech is. It's not often that a cartoon show aimed at kids features mane characters getting killed off, smart science, and commentary on war and culture. Robotech was ahead of its time and it still shows that today.

Now Harmony Gold and ADV have finally released a definitive edition of Robotech on DVD (well, maybe not totally definitive). Volume 2 of Robotech Remastered features better picture quality then the previous releases, an enhanced 5.1 audio mix, and small scenes that where cut from the original broadcast of Robotech. The picture quality is the only thing that really didn't come through for the set. There is still dust, clutter, and other problems with the picture. Colors do look better though and picture does look a lot brighter.

The added scenes and sound mix are a great reason to buy this set, but also, this set has some of the best episodes of the series. In the Volume 2, you get `Homecoming', `Battle Cry', `Farewell, Big Brother', `Bursting Point', and `A New Dawn', just to name a few. This is the point in the series where it started to show that it was more then just action mecha extravaganza and was also a show about character, drama, and story.

If you're a Robotech fan who still doesn't own it on DVD, this is the perfect time to buy it.


Robotech in 5.1 makes watching again a new experience   April 17, 2004
R. Barrios (CA United States)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

All I can say is Robotech in Dolby Digital 5.1 makes watching Robotech feel like an engrossing experience. If you have the legacy set, I suggest you Ebay it and buy this set.