Uchû shô e yôkoso

This film has some of the most incredible vistas and production design I've ever seen in any film, animated or live action. Unfortunately, the plot has all the problems people have said, and the overall tone is very much that of a kids movie. What I would give to see a live action version of this universe, or even a Pixar remake (this is sort of like Monsters Inc. with aliens instead of monsters). When they first arrive on the "dark side" of the moon, the amount of detail is astounding. From architecture and buildings to vehicles and clothes and aliens... it's like a dream brought to life, and it's an overload in all the best ways. Every shot offers something new. If this had a better story - better thought out and a bit more maturity, like a Pixar film or a Miyazaki film - this really could have been a classic for the ages. Along with Tekkonkinkreet, I put this as the best anime I've seen as far as world-building and showing me places I wish I could walk around.

Group of school kids camping out for a week find a wounded dog and rescue it. It turns out that the dog is actually an alien studying earth plants. As a reward he takes the kids to the far side of the moon and beyond. Its complicated plot involving the title space TV show, poachers looking for Wasabi, a lost world and several other tid bits. Amazing feast for the eye has a plot that moves very slowly making it a long haul. It doesn't help that the film has sense of back story that often makes you wish it was even longer. I liked the ideas but found it a tough go. Watching the film at The New York International Cildrens Film Festival this afternoon I was struck by how restless the kids were.I've been going to the festival since it started and this was the most restless audience I've run across. Yes I and they liked it but it seemed like it took forever to get to the rousing climax. Worth a look but I's wait for DVD.