>Just read it for the first time last week, actually. And I think I
>have to agree with most everyone. Derivative, not really in an "evil"
>way but more in a "that was cool, let's put on a show *just* like
>that, only imcompetently" way. And sadly, far too much thrown in that
>was "cool" and far too little that was plot. More things coming
>unexpectedly out of left field than in an early Twister fic, too. It
>wasn't quite fun enough to justify reading the whole thing like I did;
>I think I completed it more out of the kind of compulsive fascination
>that makes people stare at auto wrecks and "Plan 9 from Outer Space".
>
>-- Bob

It's been a while since I read it, but I think you hit it right on the mark. I read it right after first finishing UF, and it just didn't seem as fresh, or as well written, or something. And the plot was boring. "Uh, gee. We found this nifty thing that lets us create powerful anime-based technology. Now the bad guys come after us. Now we beat up the bad guys. Now we sit around and look cool. Now the bad guys bosses come after us. Now we beat them up, too. Now the bosses of the bosses come after us..." etc, ect. Too repetitive.