[monster]

Ok, I just got back from the second viewing, this time with English dub instead of sub, and I like the movie even more.

Originally Posted by Obi-Wan

Yes, there is a new dub cast for the HD Remaster release of the TV series that came out on Blu-Ray within the past few years. There are a lot of comments from people online bashing this dub, but I think it's mostly a knee jerk reaction from people who wanted the old cast back. Personally I like it. The actor performances are a little better and the script is closer to the Japanese. I'm also going back tonight to see it dubbed.

Is this the same remaster where they cut the episodes into like 48 or is there a new remaster?

I actually also like the English version, especially Kira's and Lacus's voice actors.

I also like how they pronounce the name of Lacus. It's still close enough to how I would pronounce it if I were just to see the spelling, although sometimes it can also sound like they're saying locust.

And speaking of Lacus, was I mistaken or did I see in the credit that her English voice actor is also the English casting director?

One thing that I like regarding the difference between the Enlish and Japanese voice actors is that the English voice actors sound more normal to me (less overly emotive/expressive in delivery), which makes for a nice contrast when they do get to be expressive depending on the situation. On the other hand, the Japanese voice actors make the characters more unique with their expressiveness.

I personally can appreciate both types and like it if both options are available.

Originally Posted by Renegade334

Spoiler:

There is (at least in the novel) a rather heavy emphasis on how the entire, never-ending fight against terrorists (and his obsession with shouldering most if not all of the burden) is slowly but surely whittling him down, to the point where it is negatively affecting his relationship with Lacus (missed dinner, etc.) and he even starts wondering whether Durandal actually had the right answer to the problem.

He is stuck with a really Sisyphean challenge where he internalizes all of his issues and, when Lacus seemingly betrays him, it just becomes too much to bear and he at long last starts spiraling. All in all, the Kira seen in the movie is one that has fought for so long that he is on the verge of giving up.

Hell, in the novel (dunno if the movie shows this), Kira and Lacus do just that at the end after the final battle - they go AWOL, almost Shiro Amada and Aina Sahalin-style. They realize they have given too much of themselves and need to heal by themselves. The world can go hang itself in the meantime.

Spoiler for Kira:

I do think the movie portrays that, but after seeing the movie a second time, I think it makes more sense to me that, in addition to what you said, Kira's mind manipulation was also still having some lingering effect, as it seems some of his words echoed the words that those guys were saying to him.