Sailor Moon R The Movie - The Promise of the Rose (VHS, 2000, Dubbed; Edited Version)

I'm an avid fan of anime, and especially of Sailor Moon. But by the time the movies were released, I was in full-on subtitle snob mode, despite having been raised on and obsessed with the English dubbed version of the series. In any language, it's a great movie. However, I really denied myself an experience by getting only the subbed version. A recent trip down memory lane made me realize that I was disappointed with the 3rd and 4th seasons of the show because the production had changed hands, and many of the original voices were replaced, including my favorite: Sailor Moon. What a big kick in the nuts to have the voice you'd come to adore be replaced by somebody who couldn't hold a candle. I admire Linda Ballantyne for trying her damndest to fill some really big shoes, but in the end, it was a big step backward for the whole production. (Her voice is just too damn goofy.) I hadn't realized that the movies were a reunion of the original voices, so I avoided watching them for years. Upon watching this version, I must say I am pretty pleased. The use of the American music is pretty spot on, and adds some great dimension and familiarity to the movie. The voices, too are great. The editing wasn't anywhere near as bad as I had heard, so overall it was a pretty great movie.
My biggest beef is the apparent lack of direction for the voice actors. Lines that should have been delivered with some extra feeling or pause are rushed through and thoughtless. A good example is Amy's line about peeking on Serena and Darien. "No! We mustn't! It's bad!" becomes "heeeey guys, we shouldn't be doing this...", with no interest in the scene when she turns back around to peek anyway. It was like they all could have used a refresher course on their characters, and what was going on in the movie.
Also, it may have just been my imagination, but the death of Princess Serenity seemed a little rushed. I was really moved in the Japanese version, where the crystal breaks, and her eyes go blank, and you see her fall backward. Somehow, it didn't really seem like much had happened in the English version.
Oh, but good use of song material during that scene as well. I actually like the use of that song, "Power of Love" in the scene more than I do in episode 81.
Overall...a great movie, and great experience re-discovering my love of Sailor Moon. Recommended if you're not a sub-snob. :p