Watch Negadon: The Monster from Mars

Negadon: The Monster from Mars is a 50-minute computer-animated science fiction film produced by Central Park Media Corporation in 2005. The movie is directed, produced, and written by Jun Awazu. The film takes place in the year 2025, where humans have successfully colonized Mars. One of the Martian colonizers, Dr. Narasaki, discovers a strange metallic object beneath the planet's surface. Upon further investigation, it turns out to be a massive alien creature named Negadon, who has been trapped beneath the Mars surface for centuries.

Dr. Narasaki is a brilliant scientist who has built a revolutionary spacecraft called the GX-131 to defend Earth from any potential alien threat that may appear in the future. In a twist of fate, Negadon turns out to be that very threat.

The film has a unique visual style, with the animation having been created using a technique called "cel-shading." This technique, used in video games and animated shows, gives the 3D models a hand-drawn, flat look akin to traditional anime.

Negadon, the eponymous monster, is a fascinating character. He has a robotic design with a variety of elaborate weapons, including a drill-like tail and an energy beam from his mouth. He has a meteorite body, making him exceptionally strong and durable. His goal is to destroy Tokyo, and no one can stand in his way.

The sound design is by Kenji Kawai, a renowned composer who has worked on some of the most iconic anime feature films of all time, including Ghost in the Shell and Patlabor the Movie. The film's soundtrack perfectly complements the fast-paced and action-packed visuals, bringing a sense of heightened energy and urgency.

The movie's dialogue is delivered in both English and Japanese. The English voice cast includes Kether Donohue as Dr. Narasaki, Dan Green as Ryuichi, and Chuck Franzetti as General Morino. The Japanese voice cast includes Masafumi Kishi as Dr. Narasaki, Jun Awazu as Ryuichi, and Kazuki Yao as General Morino.

Negadon is a thrilling movie that captures the spirit of the classic kaiju films of yesteryear. The action is in abundance, and the tension stays high throughout the entire runtime. The animation style is a great callback to the anime aesthetic, and the cel-shading technique helps make the viewer feel like they are watching a 2D animated feature film.

The story is straightforward and easy to follow, making it a great entry point for both hardcore and casual sci-fi fans. The film's runtime is perfect; it doesn't overstay its welcome, and it doesn't leave the viewer wanting more.

Overall, Negadon: The Monster from Mars is a gem that deserves to be watched by anyone interested in sci-fi and anime. The movie's visuals and sound design are a perfect match, with the English and Japanese voice acting choices adding to the film's overall viewing experience. It's rare to find a computer-animated film that is both well-executed and visually stunning, and Negadon: The Monster from Mars accomplishes both with ease.