Lensman: Secret of The Lens

Lensman: Secret of The Lens

Japanese theatrical poster
Directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Kazuyuki Hirokawa
Produced by Michihiro Tomii
Tadami Watanabe
Masao Maruyama
Screenplay by Sōji Yoshikawa
Based on Lensman by
E. E. Smith
Music by Akira Inoue (Japanese version)
Peter Davison (American version)
Edited by Osamu Tanaka
Production
company
Madhouse
MK Productions
Distributed by Toho-Towa
Release dates
  • July 7, 1984 (1984-07-07)
Running time
 107 minutes
Country Japan
Language Japanese

Lensman: Secret of The Lens (SF 新世紀 レンズマン SF Shinseiki Lensman) is a Japanese animated film based on the Lensman novels by E. E. Smith. It was dubbed by Harmony Gold USA in 1988. This was re-dubbed by Streamline Pictures in 1990 and some of the voice actors were the same in both versions.

There are differences however between the two versions in terms of story and the length of the movie where the Harmony Gold version deleted some scenes that were kept in the Streamline version. Harmony Gold also arranged a whole new soundtrack for their version, with some tracks carried over from their previous movies Robotech II: the Sentinels and Robotech the Movie: the Untold Story whereas Streamline used the original Japanese Soundtrack.

Plot

The story is about a dying Lensman who transfers his Lens to a young man named Kimball Kinnison. To his best knowledge, Kim wasn't aware of how big the responsibility of holding the Lens is. This Lens contains vital information that would enable the Galactic Patrol to face the deadly DNA weapon created by the Boskone Empire. The Arisians initially were the ones who created the Lens in order to stand up to the evil Eddorians, because in spite of their great power, they alone could not vanquish the Eddorian menace. Through the Lens, the Lensmen minds were merged with the cosmic conscientiousness of Arisia. On another side is Lord Helmuth, the ruthless, merciless Boskone leader, who would stop at nothing to get his hands on the Lens.

Kim finds himself escaping from the boskone battleships with the assistance of his friend Van Buskirk. Afterward, the Boskone blew up the Planet Mqueie (an agricultural planet) where Kim and his father Ken lived. Ken was one of the founders of the Galactic Patrol; however, he lost an arm during battle, and if he hadn't, he would have been a Lensman himself. Ken always dreamed of becoming a Lensman, so when he found out that his son became one, he sacrificed his life to save him.

Through the movie's events, Kim meets Clarissa MacDougall, who is a nurse working with the Galactic Patrol and there is an immediate attraction between them.

Eventually Kim realizes that the Lens has the answer, and within it lies great power as well, providing the key to Helmuth's defeat, and he transmits the formula to the Galactic Patrol fleet that is waiting to attack, knowing that they will lose without the answer.

English Cast

Reception

The movie received a mixed reception.[1][2][3]

References

  1. ↑ Solomon, Charles (1990-09-27). "MOVIE REVIEW : 'Lensman' Focuses on Jazzy Effects, Not Plot". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-06-09.
  2. ↑ "Lensman". Washington Post. 1990-08-31. Retrieved 2012-06-09.
  3. ↑ "Lensman". Deseret News. Retrieved 2012-06-09.

External links

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