Welcome To The Space Show...
I wasn't sure what to make of Welcome To The Space Show, but, it called for me to take it home, so, I did...
On the moon, the students discover that the dark side of the moon houses an immense alien space port. Pochi checks in with his superiors and advises that two aliens were attempting to poach plant life on Earth and recommends increased security around Earth. Afterwards, Pochi escorts the students around the space port and shows them all of the wonders within. But, when the time comes to return the students to their home, Pochi, realizes that the increased security around Earth will actually prevent the students from returning to their home. After some brainstorming, Pochi comes up with a plan to get the students home, but, they’ll need to raise some money and the students will need to embark on an epic quest to Pochi's home world before making their way back to Earth.
Meanwhile, the two aliens that were attempting to poach plant life from Earth have crossed path with Pochi and the students and the aliens realized that one of the students, Natsuki, just happens to have the plant that they've been looking for. So, the two alien poachers pursue the students and Pochi across the galaxy trying to get the precious plant. The tension in the feature escalates nicely as the students make their way to Pochi's home world. But, then, at a critical moment, the aliens attack and kidnap Amana and steal the plant. Now the students have to somehow rescue Amane and get back to Earth before their parents discover the students have gone missing from their camping trip.
Welcome To The Space Show has a lot of frenetic energy as the students explore the universe and meet interesting people in a variety of exotic settings. The feature evokes a sense of optimism and child-like wonder while still managing to be a fast-paced and entertaining adventure. The students make friends easily and really represent humanity reasonably well in their first tentative steps into the universe. Of course, there are no naughty bits or bloodshed to be found in the feature. Overall, I enjoyed Welcome To The Space Show very much. I would give Welcome To The Space Show a 4 out of 5.
According to Wikipedia...With an intergalactic cast of thousands, Koji Masunari's colorfully explosive debut feature sets a new high for visual spectacle and sheer inventiveness of character design.
It seems like just another lazy summer is in store for Amane and her older cousin Natsuki. Lolling about the Japanese countryside, the days are blithe and boundless. But boredom quickly vanishes when they find an injured dog in the woods and bring him back to the cabin only to discover he is not a dog at all, but Pochi, an alien botanist sent to Earth to track down a rare and powerful plant called Zughaan. Before long, Pochi has whisked the kids away to a space colony on the dark side of the moon, an interstellar melting pot with a non-stop parade of humorous alien creatures, jellyfish spaceships and dragon trains, marking the beginning of a glorious and wondrous adventure.
The production staff of Welcome to the Space Show was announced in the February 2008 issue of Newtype magazine, and the film was originally given the working title The Space Show. The film reunites the production staff of R.O.D the TV (2003–2004), including director Koji Masunari, writer Hideyuki Kurata, and character designer Masashi Ishihama. It was animated by Japanese studio A-1 Pictures.Welcome To The Space Show opens with a dramatic battle between aliens, at night, in a sleepy countryside setting. One of the three aliens manages to drive off the other two, but, is injured during the course of battle. The next morning, humanity seems completely unaware of the alien battle that occurred the previous night. In the morning, as part of their summer vacation, a group of students are planning to spend the weekend camping in the local school building. While out in the woods near the school, the students come across an injured dog, who, as it turns out, isn't really a dog, but, in fact an alien botanist, Pochi, studying plant life on Earth. The students found Pocji and treated his injuries and in thanks for their assistance, Pochi offers to take the students on a short visit to the moon.
Masunari decided to cast child voice actors for the film's main characters through a series of auditions. The film was conceived with the themes of entertainment and friendship among children.
Scottish singer Susan Boyle, who became famous after her television performance in Britain's Got Talent, contributed the song "Who I Was Born to Be" as the film's theme song. Prior to the announcement, the film had been screened without a theme song.
On the moon, the students discover that the dark side of the moon houses an immense alien space port. Pochi checks in with his superiors and advises that two aliens were attempting to poach plant life on Earth and recommends increased security around Earth. Afterwards, Pochi escorts the students around the space port and shows them all of the wonders within. But, when the time comes to return the students to their home, Pochi, realizes that the increased security around Earth will actually prevent the students from returning to their home. After some brainstorming, Pochi comes up with a plan to get the students home, but, they’ll need to raise some money and the students will need to embark on an epic quest to Pochi's home world before making their way back to Earth.
Meanwhile, the two aliens that were attempting to poach plant life from Earth have crossed path with Pochi and the students and the aliens realized that one of the students, Natsuki, just happens to have the plant that they've been looking for. So, the two alien poachers pursue the students and Pochi across the galaxy trying to get the precious plant. The tension in the feature escalates nicely as the students make their way to Pochi's home world. But, then, at a critical moment, the aliens attack and kidnap Amana and steal the plant. Now the students have to somehow rescue Amane and get back to Earth before their parents discover the students have gone missing from their camping trip.
Welcome To The Space Show has a lot of frenetic energy as the students explore the universe and meet interesting people in a variety of exotic settings. The feature evokes a sense of optimism and child-like wonder while still managing to be a fast-paced and entertaining adventure. The students make friends easily and really represent humanity reasonably well in their first tentative steps into the universe. Of course, there are no naughty bits or bloodshed to be found in the feature. Overall, I enjoyed Welcome To The Space Show very much. I would give Welcome To The Space Show a 4 out of 5.
