War of the Worlds: Goliath

War of the Worlds: Goliath is a 2012 sci-fi, animation-action, and steampunk movie that features the voice talents of the ensemble cast, such as Adam Baldwin, Beau Billingslea, and Kim Buckingham. In a captivating blend of history, science fiction, and steam-punk gear, the movie envisions an alternate history that adds a thrilling twist to H.G. Wells' timeless classic, The War of the Worlds.

Set in 1914, War of the Worlds: Goliath sets a resounding pace leveraging a captivating imagination in an alternate universe history. Fifteen years earlier, in 1899, Earth faced an invasion attempted by the Martians – an event that caused catastrophic destruction and loss of countless lives. However, they fell prey to their lack of immunity against the planet's bacteria, and their attack was halted, giving mankind a chance to rise from its ashes.

Relentless, broken but not beaten, humanity salvaged the remnants of the Martians' sophisticated and deadly technology, gifting them the opportunity to leap years ahead in terms of technological advancement. Mankind learned from the fatal mistakes of the past and prepared for an anticipated return of their extraterrestrial foes, leading to the development of giant steam-powered tripod battle machines, infantry armed with heat-rays, and giant zeppelins patrolling the skies.

At the heart of this technology-driven combat readiness stands the multinational Allied resistance force called the Earth Defense Force (EDF). It comprises international soldiers, pilots, and steamboat captains who are bracing themselves for an imminent Martian invasion. The story places special focus on the film's main protagonist, Lieutenant Eric Wells, voiced by Adam Baldwin, grappling with his past trauma from the first Martian onslaught, and is now heading the resistance force, the EDF, on the frontlines.

Furthermore, the voice cast, led by Baldwin, Billingslea, and Buckingham, bring a commendable vigor to their roles. Their tower of strength lies in its brilliant voice cast, whose performances infuse the characters with a life that is distinct, be it Baldwin's Lieutant Eric Wells battling his inner demons, Billingslea's hard-nosed Captain Sakai, or Buckingham's dynamic Lieutenant Jennifer Carter.

The animation style showcases a blend of traditional 2D and 3D imagery that significantly enhances the distinctiveness of the film. The movie's visual style and treatment paint a compelling yet grim image of a world caught amidst an impending alien attack. Striking visuals build an aura of fear, anticipation, resilience, and determination synonymous with the movie's storyline.

Although draped in heavy machinery and steamboat gear, the narrative of the movie also places significant emphasis on personal resilience and unity across borders. This sci-fi action-thriller uses an alternate history to explore thought-provoking themes like unity in adversity, human resilience, dealing with trauma, and triumph against near-impossible odds.

Also notable is War of the Worlds: Goliath's sound design, which aids the setting of an environment that's both edgy and thrilling. It complements the animation beautifully by lending a certain sharpness to the visuals, and the background score, especially, intensifies the overall mood of the narrative set against an impending war.

While the war machines and battle sequences steal much of the limelight, it is the human heart at the center of the story that makes the narrative engaging. War of the Worlds: Goliath cleverly juggles all these elements and delivers a well-rounded story that will please fans of animated action films, war movies, sci-fi, and even those who appreciate deeper emotional narratives. It's a futuristic, technology-driven world, interspersed with relatable human stories, and a collective, multinational force that unites against existential dread.

It is worth mentioning that the movie is not directly recommended for younger audiences due to its depiction of warfare, however intriguing, might be construed as intense. Regardless, it is a vividly imaginative combative spectacle that brims with staunch energy, steampunk aesthetics, and stirring humanity – a riveting addition to the canon of The War of the Worlds adaptations. It brings you a steam-punk rendition of a treasured classic, painting a melange of human bravery and innovation stirring against an alien invasion.

Overall, War of the Worlds: Goliath is an ambitious movie that pushes the boundaries of animated films to create a viewing experience that is thrilling, imaginative, and visually gripping.