Lensman

Original Title: SF新世紀 レンズマン
Romanized: SF Shinseiki Lensman
Literal: Science Fiction New Era Lensman

Plot Synopsis

In the year 2500 the Galactic Alliance is threatened by the menace of the Boskone empire and its tyrannical ruler Helmuth. When the Galactic Patrol ship Brittanica crashes on the planet M'Quie, a dying Lensman gives young Kimball Kinnison, son of a former Galactic Patrolman, the powerful Lens containing information vital to the survival of mankind. Joined by his faithful friend Van Buskirk, young Galactic Patrol nurse Clarisse "Chris" McDougal and fellow Lensman Worsel the Velantian, Kim must travel across the galaxy to bring the Lens to Galactic Patrol HQ, evading the pursuing Boskonians who will do anything to stop him.

Quick Review

Rating: 3 / 5
Reviewer: Arcane
Review Date: 2001-08-26

Based on the seminal space opera stories by E.E. Smith that eventually inspired Star Wars, directed by the famed Yoshiaki Kawajiri, and one of the earliest anime movies to combine computer animation with hand-drawn cels, Lensman certainly has the pedigree. While the animation is very '80s, the plot entirely familiar to anyone who's seen Star Wars, and the pure sci-fi story far less hard-edged than Kawajiri's usual catalogue, Smith's sense of adventure and Kawajiri's personal style still shines through in places. Lensman is first and foremost an action film and is quite a good one at that. People who take one look at the box cover before shrugging and looking elsewhere are advised to take a second look.

Lensman doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is--a good enjoyable space adventure. Hardly Kawajiri's best film, but excellent fare for fans of the genre who want to check out something retro and still worth a look for the rest of you lot.

US DVD Review

No licensed US DVD exists as of this writing.

Content Guide

About 10-up for a bit of violence.

Violence: 2 - Nothing disturbing.

Nudity: 0 - Not even a hint of skimpy clothing.

Sex/Mature Themes: 0 - Nothing more than some (very) light romance.

Language: 1 - DJ Bill says the "S-word" once. That really is it.

Notes and Trivia

Based on a series of novels from the late 1930s though the '40s (specifically Galactic Patrol, completed in 1938) written by E.E. "Doc" Smith (who did, in fact, hold a PhD). Smith is generally considered the father of space opera, although oddly this is the only film adaptation of his work (and not a particularly faithful one, apparently). The movie spawned a 1987 anime TV series, as well, which has even less to do with the original novels. There is also a series of US comic books based on the Lensman universe.

It's also a historically interesting film as Yoshiaki Kawajiri's directorial debut; he has since gained fame for dark and usually very violent stylish horror/action movies, including Wicked City and Ninja Scroll.

Availability

Originally available in the US from Streamline pictures on dubbed VHS; they also released a laserdisc that, apparently, included Japanese audio on the analog track. Both have been out of print for many years.

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