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Title (English) Lensman

Title (Japanese) SF Shinseki Lensman

Advertising
Fantasy Novel

Notes Movie, 107 mins, Kodansha/MK Company, 1984
US: Streamline
Based on novel by EE 'Doc' Smith.

Classification -

Synopsis The Galactic Patrol is pitted against the evil Boskone Horde.

Review LENSMAN (Manga Video), 107
mins, cert PG, ｣12.99
This movie is based on 'Galactic Patrol' the third novel
in EE 'Doc' Smith's space adventure series. Note that it
isn't the same as the Japanese movies 'Power of the Lens'
and 'Secret of the Lens'
As the story opens, young Kimball Kinnison is
preparing to leave for Earth on an old space cruiser with
his friend Buskirk. An out of control spaceship appears
and Kim boards it and lands it. The craft contains a dying
Lensman, and a mysterious device, the Lens, which
contains vital data on the location of the Boskone bases.
The Lensman tells Kim to get the Lens to Admiral
Haynes of the Galactic Alliance at all costs, and the Lens
attaches itself to Kim's hand. The Boskone turn up and
start wrecking the planet. Kim's father sacrifices himself
and Buskirk's clunker to distract the Boskone while Kim
and Buskirk escape in the Alliance ship, Brittania. The
Galactic patrol contact them and Kim meets his love
interest, Chris McDougall, for the first time. (Actually
she seems a bit old for our impetuous boy). Various fast-
paced escapades ensue, as our hero and his companions
are pursued by the evil Boskone. They encounter an
assortment of oddlooking alien creatures and a crazy old
DJ who specialises in inciting riot.
It's all rather adolescent stuff but moves along briskly,
it's often funny, and the designs of the alien creatures are
rather good. My favourite baddie was Gigeek, a little
scarlet bell-shaped alien that flits and floats around spying
on things. Not so much SF but, with its Good vs Evil and
super gadget scenario, more of a space fantasy with SF
trappings.
The book is reputed to have been a major influence on
STAR WARS, and on watching LENSMAN it's easy to
see some Star wars influences. The much vaunted Cray
computer animation sequences are a bit of a let down;
though quite pretty they look like... computer animation
and don't advance the plot much. I was more impressed
by the hand drawn creatures. The music soundtrack also
seems uninspired and rather inappropiate for an action
movie.
The movie might appeal more to younger viewers;
fortunately it has a PG certificate.

Credits Dir: Yoshiaki Kawajiri

Episodes

Release UK:VHS, US:VHS

TV Showing See the whole series for free? This series may be syndicated to regional cable, satellite or terrestial TV stations. For Europe click here.

Date 1984

Production

Broadcaster

Animation

References & Help Look up the latest data on this title at:
Richard Llewellyn's Animated Divots, or
Anime News Network (see Encyclopedia section) ,
or in "The Anime Encyclopedia" (Clements & McCarthy, Stone Bridge Press, 2001).
Help & further information.

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Information
Title (English)	Lensman
Title (Japanese)	SF Shinseki Lensman
Advertising Fantasy Novel
Notes	Movie, 107 mins, Kodansha/MK Company, 1984 US: Streamline Based on novel by EE 'Doc' Smith.
Classification	-
Synopsis	The Galactic Patrol is pitted against the evil Boskone Horde.
Review	LENSMAN (Manga Video), 107 mins, cert PG, ｣12.99 This movie is based on 'Galactic Patrol' the third novel in EE 'Doc' Smith's space adventure series. Note that it isn't the same as the Japanese movies 'Power of the Lens' and 'Secret of the Lens' As the story opens, young Kimball Kinnison is preparing to leave for Earth on an old space cruiser with his friend Buskirk. An out of control spaceship appears and Kim boards it and lands it. The craft contains a dying Lensman, and a mysterious device, the Lens, which contains vital data on the location of the Boskone bases. The Lensman tells Kim to get the Lens to Admiral Haynes of the Galactic Alliance at all costs, and the Lens attaches itself to Kim's hand. The Boskone turn up and start wrecking the planet. Kim's father sacrifices himself and Buskirk's clunker to distract the Boskone while Kim and Buskirk escape in the Alliance ship, Brittania. The Galactic patrol contact them and Kim meets his love interest, Chris McDougall, for the first time. (Actually she seems a bit old for our impetuous boy). Various fast- paced escapades ensue, as our hero and his companions are pursued by the evil Boskone. They encounter an assortment of oddlooking alien creatures and a crazy old DJ who specialises in inciting riot. It's all rather adolescent stuff but moves along briskly, it's often funny, and the designs of the alien creatures are rather good. My favourite baddie was Gigeek, a little scarlet bell-shaped alien that flits and floats around spying on things. Not so much SF but, with its Good vs Evil and super gadget scenario, more of a space fantasy with SF trappings. The book is reputed to have been a major influence on STAR WARS, and on watching LENSMAN it's easy to see some Star wars influences. The much vaunted Cray computer animation sequences are a bit of a let down; though quite pretty they look like... computer animation and don't advance the plot much. I was more impressed by the hand drawn creatures. The music soundtrack also seems uninspired and rather inappropiate for an action movie. The movie might appeal more to younger viewers; fortunately it has a PG certificate.
Credits	Dir: Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Episodes
Release	UK:VHS, US:VHS
TV Showing	See the whole series for free? This series may be syndicated to regional cable, satellite or terrestial TV stations. For Europe click here.
Date	1984
Production
Broadcaster
Animation
References & Help	Look up the latest data on this title at: Richard Llewellyn's Animated Divots, or Anime News Network (see Encyclopedia section) , or in "The Anime Encyclopedia" (Clements & McCarthy, Stone Bridge Press, 2001). Help & further information.