This sci-fi film is a hit on Amazon, 11 years after a multi-million dollar box office failure

News culture This sci-fi film is a hit on Amazon, 11 years after a multi-million dollar box office failure

A cult work, marker of the 80s

Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Paramount+, Max… As many platforms as subscriptions which provide access to a huge catalog. Since variety is the priority, these platforms compete for the rights to broadcast more or less current series and films. At the same time, they produce their own content with exclusive content to attract viewers. For several yearsThey are even used as supplements, with productions enriching a main universe shown in the cinema. In some cases they even make it possible to breathe new life into a production that has failed on television or in the cinema, sometimes contrary to expectations.

That's what's happening right now Harlock: Space Pirate'''''', an animated film from 2013 that we know at home as ''Albator: Space Pirate''. Inspired by the legendary 1969 manga and anime by Leiji Matsumoto, the film follows the famous character's footsteps as he is betrayed. The earth, whose resources are almost exhausted, must expect a massive influx of people. A war for resources breaks out between the factions and Albator prevents repopulation.

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Albator's revenge?

Unfortunately, a treaty allows the diplomatic elite to re-enter the atmosphere, which enrages Albator. He decides to enclose the Earth in an antimatter bubble, making the planet uninhabitable. To make up for his mistake, he steals space-time warheads to destroy the temporal bonds of the universe. Without knowing it, he is being hunted by Yama, Admiral Ezra's little brother, who works for the enemy… If you want to spot him or give him another chance, know that it is him It's easy to find on Amazon Prime Video because, contrary to expectations, it's currently on the podium of the most-watched films 'the platform and that he is at the 9th place in the French ranking.

However, in 2013 it was not attractive. With a whopping budget of $30 million (a record for Toei) Albator: Space Pirate had only earned $18.6 million. It had actually worked better in France and Italy than in Japan… However, the use of computer-generated imagery was praised by James Cameron, director of Avatar It won the Lumières Prize in the Best International 3D Feature Film category. The film even received a nomination for the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year. If the trend continues, it could be this Albator: Space Pirate is gaining a new cult status more than 10 years after its release.