Movies / Animé and Toons

Gurren Lagann the Movie: The Lights in the Sky are Stars

By Chris Zimmerman
January 27, 2011 - 09:11

Ask any anime fan to create a list of the ten best anime of the last ten years and chances are good Gurren Lagann will be on there. The mecha series that turned the giant robot genre on its head has spawned a legion of loyal followers for its willingness to take risks, juggling touching moments and hilariously outlandish characters to create something all its own.  

The first film managed to condense the first half of the series into a two hour run-time with the second half being squeezed in here, spliced with new animation to keep it fresh and appealing to fans who are already familiar with the story.

The previous film saw our main protagonist Simon undergo a coming of age when he and his best friend sprung from beneath the earth and challenged the Beastmen for their freedom. Over the course of the movie, Simon faced many trials and tribulations, losing his friend in battle and reluctantly accepting his position as leader of the rebels.

The events in the Lights in the Sky are Stars picks up right where the first movie left off. Simon defeats the Spiral King and seemingly frees the human race, however the malevolent lord leaves a chilling warning that something worse is awaiting humanity. As it happens, there is a race worse than the Beastmen and they arrive to declare the Earth their own. The fight spreads beyond the Earth, concluding among the stars in grand style, offering a fitting ending to a series rife with epic battles and touching moments.

While the franchise is among the best to come out in recent memory, the films threaten to undermine its popularity. New comers to the show are likely to feel the pacing to be rushed and frenetic. The amount of material that needs to be covered is too much for two films and would have benefitted with a third to pad things out. Those familiar with the series won’t necessarily have a problem as the story development moves along faster but is also familiar.

This is one of Aniplex USA’s first forays into the American anime market and as such, there is no dub to be had. While it does hurt the release somewhat, the Japanese cast is more than suited for their characters. The real drawback is the lack of extras. I understand there was a limited edition of the film released alongside the standard version but a commentary would have been nice.

Gurren Lagann is a franchise that easily captures the hearts of its viewers. The characters are a blast to watch and the action coupled with the humor make it a wholly enjoyable experience to sit through. That said, the film’s stunted pacing will make it difficult for newcomers to get into. The new animation is appreciated but this is hardly the best way to view the franchise. Think of the series as a main course with the movies acting as a satisfying desert to top off an exquisite experience.

B

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12