Finally seen the wing movie, couldn't force myself into it for over a month. It felt a bit unnecessary as a sequel. The bits about the past and how operation meteor was supposed to go were nice but it was awkward to explore this in a sequel and not the show. The animation was good but I didn't like the fights much, dogshit directing I guess? and the wings were retarded.

Anyway since the thread I was posting with died before I finished the show - as for the OG, people were right about the pacing - it was okay up until nearly EP 30 or so, but then it fucking DRAGS so bad. It did feel necessary to have all of it for character development but still.. And the ending somehow still completely lacked impact despite all that dev? Really dropped the ball. I think I had a gripe or two more with the end but I forgot.
At least it was very solid thematically - I've still AU that aired after wing to go through but so far this was a high point of the series (kind of? very unpolished gem vibe and enjoyment was lower [in second half due to pacing] than show's quality, reverse to what g reco was like), felt very 'gundam' thanks to the philosophy/theme stuff.

Makes sense why people are so split on it.