Macross II - The Movie is a 1992 anime film that is set in the year 2092, about eighty years after the events that took place in the first Macross anime series. In this movie, Earth is once again threatened by giant alien beings known as the Marduk, and a new team of pilots must be assembled to defend their planet. The story follows Hibiki Kanzaki, a reporter who becomes embroiled in the conflict when he is covering a story about a new fighter plane being developed by the UN Spacy. The plane's test flight is interrupted by a surprise Marduk attack, and Hibiki is thrown into the middle of a battle he never anticipated. He is rescued by Ishtar, a mysterious singer who has the ability to control the Marduk with her songs.
Hibiki returns to Earth with Ishtar, who is taken into custody by the UN Spacy, but not before they develop a romantic connection. Meanwhile, the Marduk continue to launch attacks on Earth, and the UN Spacy is forced to rely on their newest pilots, including Silvie Gena and Dennis Lone, to take them on.
As the battles intensify, secrets about Ishtar's past are revealed, and the true nature of the Marduk's invasion is uncovered. The story ultimately builds to a dramatic showdown, with Hibiki and Ishtar at the center of the conflict.
Macross II - The Movie retains the same blend of action and romance that have made the Macross franchise so popular. The animation is a step up from the original series, with smoother movements and highly detailed character designs. The fight scenes are fast-paced and exciting, with giant mechs battling it out in the skies above Earth.
The film also introduces a new element to the Macross universe with the inclusion of the Marduk. These bizarre, otherworldly creatures are unlike anything seen in previous entries, and their designs are both menacing and captivating. The Marduk's connection to Ishtar is one of the film's most compelling plot points, and adds an interesting wrinkle to a story that could have easily been a retread of earlier Macross storylines.
The cast is also strong, with Tsutomu Takayama delivering a charismatic performance as Hibiki Kanzaki. Hiroko Kasahara's Ishtar is a fascinating character, and her singing voice is a highlight of the film's soundtrack. Debra Rogers provides the English dubbing for Silvie Gena, and while her performance is serviceable, it doesn't quite match the energy of the Japanese cast.
One of the standout moments of the film is the musical score by legendary composer Kenichi Matsubara. Matsubara's sweeping orchestral pieces perfectly capture the epic scope of the story, while the pop-infused songs by Ishtar and other characters give the film a distinctively '90s flavor.
The film does suffer from a few pacing issues, particularly in the first act. The story takes a while to get going, and some of the scenes feel like they are treading water. Additionally, the film's romance subplot between Hibiki and Ishtar can feel a bit rushed at times, with their connection not given enough time to fully develop.
Despite these minor flaws, Macross II - The Movie is a thrilling addition to the Macross franchise. Its blend of action, romance, and sci-fi elements make it a must-see for anime fans, while the impressive animation and musical score help to create a fully-realized world. While it may not reach the heights of the original Macross series, it is a worthy sequel that captures the spirit of the franchise.
Macross II - The Movie is a 1992 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 17 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.
