Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17645 in VHS
• Released on: 1997-06-20
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Formats: Animated, Color, EP, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 83 minutes

Customer Reviews

Not your usual 'animation'
Light Years (I never understood the US title), or `Gandahr' as it's called out of the US is not your usual run-of-the-mill animation. The animation is good for it's time and has a unique style that is dissimilar from the usual animation types of the time (Disney, Rankin & Bass, and Anime).

Gandahr is more of a `thinking' animation. I'll admit I didn't understand a lot of what went on in the movie until I watched it again as an adult. There are action scenes, but they are toned down by the fact the enemies are robots. If you're looking for beat-em-up knock-em-down action, this isn't the film for you. If you want something that makes you think, this is right up your alley.

I would note, for parents' sake, this movie does contain mild nudity, although it is tastefully done and does not detract from the film itself. There are some creepy sequences, but it's not your usual bloody-gorey animation you see these days.

Overall, I still really like this film.

under appreciated classic
Light Years, while not as flashy as the animated movies of today is a marvelous story that bridges the gap between fantasy and sci-fi. As a child the story and its amazing visuals captivated me. The movie is full of symbolism. For example the incredible irony that the villian of the film is a creation of the peaceful kingdom that genetically engineered him and that said villian (a giant brain) employs an army of mechanical men to wage his wars in the pursuit of more power. Then, seeing that his waring ways are leading to an ugly apocalypse of sorts, the villian is his own downfall as he sets in motion the events that will ultimately be his undoing. It speaks to the ever present conflict between nature and industrialization and perhaps how humankind may be its own worst enemy. My only gripe is that I wish they would re-release it on dvd. Oh well. A fantastic movie experience if you can get your hands on it. It is sure to please viewers of all ages.

Light Years ahead of it's time.
This is one of the best animated movies of all time. The artwork is superb, the sound track is very well suited to the story and theme, and the story is even better. A true classic. Some people don't like the animation, but I find it much better than the garbage 'anime' that is produced today. I wish that it would be produced in DVD format. This is a must for any SciFi fan's collection.