Each has it's own unique things that makes it different than the others. The first, foremost and above all, is to actually compare an anime to a real-live movie, specially to American stuff: I hate that shit. I'm sorry, I just can't stand any American movie. I've grown to stop going there now, I go with my friend to him company every Friday. I took like a month and a half off (and he gets a girlfriend, haha!).
But honestly, the movies you mentioned would barely come close to Macross Frontier. Graphics, characters, plot build, technology, and the many other things around it. Go watch Macross Zero if you haven't seen it. It's a prequel.
Lol, first of all I'm not comparing it to a movie but a book series, but not all American movies are bad

, there's a gem every now and then, haha. Anyways, this book which started a whole series was written in the 70's, and from there has grown quite a bit. I want to say that for people who reads quite a bit of SciFi/Fantasy books have heard of Ender or at least the author, Orson Scott Card, but that could just be me.

If you enjoy reading and have the time, I'd recommend trying the series. Everything from the characters, to the setting, the plot, etc is well written and you might find yourself identifying with a certain character(s)...but that's what makes a movie/anime/book good right?
I was thinking about whether to watch the other Macross series before watching MF but I've read many posts that MF was okay as it is to watch as a stand alone series. But I just might watch the others, well, Macross Zero at least.
As to what Borror0 said, I agree, novel and original ideas are rare nowadays and I'm sure most thoughts/ideas/concepts have been touched upon or another. But after watching this series, I can't help but think that the creators have read Ender's Game and played StarCraft, haha.