Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Movie Trilogy Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Movie Trilogy Blu-ray Movie Review

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion movie trilogy adapts the anime series and condenses it in to three feature-film segments (or ‘episodes’) and covers the main storyline. The animation showcases original character designs by CLAMP (Cardcaptor Sakura, Chobits). Featuring the story by Goro Taniguchi and Ichiro Okouchi, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion brings together the series tale for viewers who might be seeking a condensed version. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Movie Trilogy features animation produced by Sunrise (Mobile Suit Gundam, Cowboy Bebop).

Lelouch Lamperouge (Jun Fukuyama) is a former prince who was exiled from his country. Lelouch is the son of a beloved emperor and he had an important standing in the upper-class as said prince. An antihero character (with a much darker side), Lelouch also has an alter-ego known as Zero – and his alter-ego decides to annihilate the Holy Britannian Empire. The stakes are high with Zero working alongside the group known only as The Black Knights.

Suzaku Kururugi (Takahiro Sakurai), son of the prime minster of Japan, becomes best friends with Lelouch. The duo finds themselves as allies in the saga. During a terrorist attack, Lelouch finds a mysterious girl named C.C. (Yukana) and is given the power of Geass – a rare power that ultimately provides Lelouch with the “Power of Kings” and the ability to manipulate anyone to do his bidding (as wide a range as fighting for him or dying for him). As Lelouch Lamperouge leads a rebellion, will things ever be the same?

The series explores its dark story through a dark central protagonist. Lelouch is a anti-hero character who fights for his rebellion with a steadfast dedication to the mission at hand. With the character of Lelouch also going by the alter-ego of Zero, the character goes on a dark path that only an anti-hero character can fill.

The character designs are excellent. Designed by Takahiro Kimura (Ghastly Prince Enma Burning Up, Jungle Emperor Leo), Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion movie trilogy showcases the series cast (providing the same animation that made the series a success). The designs are distinctly original.

The animation direction on Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion movie trilogy showcases the original style of the series. Featuring animation direction by Eiji Nakada (Turn A Gundam, Overman King Gainer), Takahiro Kimura (Godannar, GUNxSWORD), Yuriko Chiba (Flower Witch Mary Bell, Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096), and Seiichi Nakatani (Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Gundam Reconguista in G), Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion movie trilogy provides epic art that capably showcases the characters, layouts, and background art.

From the story by Goro Taniguchi and Ichiro Okouchi, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion movie trilogy condenses the main story into a three-part arc. The episodes are “cliff-notes” versions (so to speak). It doesn’t offer the full scope of the original version but it does offer fans an alternative version of the storyline that is shorter and more to-the-point. The editing sometimes could have been a bit more polished and one can feel the absence of scenes.

Directed by Goro Taniguchi (Maria the Virgin Witch, Infinite Ryvius), Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion movie trilogy delivers fans a new viewing experience – a re-telling of the series by bringing together the segments deemed most essential to the original series run. Re-using the animation from the series, the feature-films might not seem as necessary, but die-hard fans will want to check out the feature-films to compare and contrast the versions.

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Movie Trilogy Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Funimation, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Movie Trilogy is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The video presentation on the release is worthwhile. The encoding capably handles the action-packed animation and the encode doesn't struggle to preserve detail. There are no major issues with regards to animation compression. The encoding on the release is solid and handles the material. Color reproduction is also impressive and the vibrancy of the animation looks nice in high-definition.

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Movie Trilogy Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround sound in 24 bit high-resolution. The English subtitles are exceptional and are free from any egregious spelling or grammatical errors. The surround sound soundstage is immersive and engaging. The release has a lossless audio encoding that preserves detail in the sound-mix. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand. The Japanese language 5.1 surround mix uses the surround effects to good effect (and it makes the experience more engaging). The release does not include an English dub option.

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Movie Trilogy Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release includes collectible steelbook packaging. The set also contains a collection of art cards highlighting character art. The steelbook design is impressive and the art-work selected for the steelbook release is worthwhile. The illustrations are perfectly well-suited to the saga. This is unfortunately a standard matte finish steelbook and the print quality isn't quite as high as one might hope to find (as standard matte steelbooks can tend to be more prone to paint chips and aren't as nice as full-gloss steelbooks). Nonetheless, the steelbook packaging is nice enough and fans will be pleased it received a collectible release.

The on-disc supplements are as follows:

Promo Videos (HD, 4:31)

The release also provides a selection of trailers (HD, 4:38) promoting other releases available from distributor Funimation Entertainment.

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Movie Trilogy Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion movie trilogy condenses the original anime and brings viewers a new telling of the saga. Condensing the original animation, this shortened version of the saga should appeal largely to original series fans who want an alternate/condensed version of the story. While it might not appeal as much to those outside of the core base, the release does contain a solid video presentation and audio sound mix. The 5.1 surround audio is especially engaging and noteworthy. Funimation has also provided the release with a well-designed collectible steelbook. Recommended.