Act 1. Usagi - Sailor Moon
So here we are again. It has been awhile since I first saw it and either thanks to a more positive mind set, the episode is actually not bad at all. I watched with it my 9 year-old niece, so I can see raw first reaction as well. She was glued to the screen from start to finish, despite the fact she had to pause a lot to read the subtitles here and there, she didn't get bored with it at all. The opening scene is gorgeous. I have always been a fan of the ost, and it really added to the overall epic feel that you are watching a classic. The Usagi''s fall of the stairs, despite animated kind a clumsy, the way she met Luna by stepping on her and her spacing out, thinking of her dream really sells the unlikliness of this self-absorbed, clumsy and unreliable girl to become a super heroine. I really dig the backgrounds that give this story book kind of feeling as well. The first meet between Usagi and Mamoru, while a bit cheesy for a cynical adult, made my niece being all aww. And once again the music was well used. The Dark Kingdom with the green fire and cold feel really makes ita perfectly moody place. It was nice seeing the formation of the youma out of clay as well. What I really like about this first act is how Usagi actually named herself Sailor Moon. Yes, it was Luna telling her, but not with words. This Luna being a wolf scene was very well done. I have to admit I am not a fan of the transformation, but only because it was CGI. Otherwise it looked new, fresh and beautifully choreographed, Usig interesting angles. The prism background is also really nice. I'd love to see this done in 2d even a fan rendition. Then I really liked the way Usagi's attack was integrated in the scene. It didn't drag, it didn't put us out of the scene and it looked kinda need. I will never forgive the fact Morga wasn't decapitated, but I can understand why they did it this way. The fiNal scene with a glimps of Ami and the rain drops is a nice tease, showing both herand alluding to her element. The title cards, the commercial breaks and the A bientot cards are very nice nods to Utena, either intentional or not. There were some nods to the old show, though I really wanted to see blue eyed Luna... I didn't comment on the opening as I have seen it too many times. As for the ending - I love the visuals. Yes there is not much going on, but the scenery is gorgeous, as well as the kiss in the end. I, however, will never like the song. Despite sharing a composer with Tuxedo Mirage, it lacks that romantic feeling. MomoClo are not a good fit for this song either. Speaking of that I would love to hear Moon Pride done by the new cast... Anyway. Even though it is obvious from episode1 that this is on a low budget, animation and character designs are not very consistent, it still got me in the Sailor Moon magic. My niece was beging me to let her watch episode 2, which is a good sign, but we are saving it for next Wednesday.