Summary: The Levamme Empire and the Amatsukami Imperium have been engaged in battle for countless years. During this time, the Levamme Prince proposes to the daughter of the del Moral family, Juana del Mora. The Prince promises their marriage a year after; once he has ended the war. Unfortunately, the Amatsukami Imperium caught wind of this and assaulted the del Moral manor aiming for Juana's life. As a last resort, the San Maltilia sends Charles Karino, an ace pilot with blood of both a Levamme and an Amatsukami to bring Juana to her fiancee. And so begins the Princess and the Pilot's journey.
Story 8/10: The story was well paced and written. But unfortunately for majority of romance stories, whether action or just 'slice of life, the male lead and female lead have always met in the past as children and somehow manage to retain that 5 minute moment in their memory. To be honest, the 'childhood friend' is always cute in a romance story, but it can get really repetitive and make an original movie seem unoriginal. This is what seemed to kill the story a bit for me, but possibly not for anyone else.
This film has done well in all aspects (animation, sound etc) but I believe the reason why this film hasn't had a higher rating is because of its realistic ending. Audiences are used to seeing forbidden love grow and strive to survive, but sometimes their endings become unrealistic when compared to real world society. In this film, you have a pilot and a soon-to-be Empress falling in love with one another because they were able to overcome obstacles together with had strengthened their bonds.
Seeing as how comfortable each of the main characters got with each other, normally you'd expect for them to find a way for them to grow their love, but in the film's setting, it is not possible. In the end, they only got so close as a hug.
Art 9/10: Wonderful animation and gorgeous dogfights. No cons for the art really.
Sound 8/10: Most voices seemed to match, but Charles's voice bugged me at times due to its highnes but sound effects and music were still good as well.
Character 8/10: At first, Charles Karino seems like a weak willed man being constantly bullied by his superior officers and comrades accepting everything that gave him (No alternate meaning btw), but even in the presence of the Princess, he didn't hold back his frustration and his pissed-off-ness towards her majesty's fiancee.
Juana del Moral seems like the composed princess she is supposed to be at first... then she seems like a quiet clumsy princess... and then her hair is cut and she seems like you average feisty girl. Not quite 'feisty' but whatever. The princess's character seems to change, really showing how more comfortable she felt being with Charles compared to when they first met.
Overall, characters are enjoying to watch nonetheless.
Overall 8.5/10: I really did enjoy this film but what leaves you feeling empty inside is always due to a film's ending. Even if the movie is a complete masterpiece, writers should always remember that the audience always remembers the beginning and the end the most. Plus the ending is what impacted most ratings for this movie.
I could probably come up with two or more endings that would've suited this kind of romance better. BUUUUT thanks for taking the time to read my clumsy review!
