This could have been an interesting adaptation of the classic "War of the Worlds" in not only anime form but also in its incorporation of elements of steam punk, giant robots, and alternate history. In other words, it is definitely not for everyone; but if you enjoy any or all of the above sci-fi troupes then at least you might want to give it a try.
The animation is serviceable and the characters not particularly well-drawn. No cutey anime girls or guys here, but the facial expressions are noticeably limited and the movements a bit wooden. The voice-acting is passable if not inspired. Probably this is due to the use of non-Japanese actors who do not have a lot of voice-acting experience. Had the movie made use of more talented actors, this would have greatly improved the final product. Instead, much of the dialogues sound more like people simply reading their lines without much if any emoting.
The story itself is loosely based on "War of the Worlds" - yes, there are the Martians and their war machines. But everything else is different. This actually makes for an interesting take on the classic, and had the story been better executed it could have really taken Goliath to the level of perhaps memorable genre-blending anime such as "Ghost in the Shell" or "The Sky Crawlers". Instead, one is left feeling disappointed and wondering what was the point of making this movie.
In other words, despite the initial promise of something unique in the blending of different genres, the end result is nothing more than a slightly entertaining but ultimately forgettable version of "War of the Worlds". In the end, nothing about this anime - whether its nod to sci-fi, steam punk, or mecha heritage - brakes any new ground. Final verdict: Maybe worth watching once, but you won't remember why afterwards.
The animation is serviceable and the characters not particularly well-drawn. No cutey anime girls or guys here, but the facial expressions are noticeably limited and the movements a bit wooden. The voice-acting is passable if not inspired. Probably this is due to the use of non-Japanese actors who do not have a lot of voice-acting experience. Had the movie made use of more talented actors, this would have greatly improved the final product. Instead, much of the dialogues sound more like people simply reading their lines without much if any emoting.
The story itself is loosely based on "War of the Worlds" - yes, there are the Martians and their war machines. But everything else is different. This actually makes for an interesting take on the classic, and had the story been better executed it could have really taken Goliath to the level of perhaps memorable genre-blending anime such as "Ghost in the Shell" or "The Sky Crawlers". Instead, one is left feeling disappointed and wondering what was the point of making this movie.
In other words, despite the initial promise of something unique in the blending of different genres, the end result is nothing more than a slightly entertaining but ultimately forgettable version of "War of the Worlds". In the end, nothing about this anime - whether its nod to sci-fi, steam punk, or mecha heritage - brakes any new ground. Final verdict: Maybe worth watching once, but you won't remember why afterwards.