Sutoraiku uicchîzu: Gekijouban

These comments assume viewers will have seen the first two seasons; while not essential it is highly recommended to watch them first as they introduce most of the main characters.

This film is set after the events of the second season of 'Strike Witches'; the 501st Joint Fighter Wing has been disbanded and the girls have gone their separate ways. Yoshika Miyafuji has lost her magical powers and has returned to Fuso. She is invited to return to Europe where she hopes to become a doctor. She travels back with fellow witch Shizuka Hattori, who may be her junior but constantly berates her for her lack of military behaviour. Neuroi attacks start far from the nearest known nest; the various girls from the 501st get caught up in the fight to learn more about the new threat before destroying it.

If you've watched any 'Strike Witches' you'll know what to expect... teenaged girls, without trousers, involved in aerial combat against aliens in an alternate 1940s. If you haven't seen it before the constant close up of the girls' underwear may shock you; if you have seen it you'll think 'at least they've ended the nudity!' The story is fun with a good sense of danger, injuries are bloodier than the original and at times it looked like characters might die. The animation is solid; especially the exciting aerial scenes and there are some nice funny moments away from the action. Overall this is a film for fans of the series; definitely worth watching if you are a fan, less so if you didn't enjoy earlier series.

These comments are based on watching the English dubbed version of the film. I prefer subtitled anime but this was perfectly acceptable.