[Contemplation] Fullmetal Alchemist (2017)
I've seen Fullmetal Alchemist Anime but I wasn't able to finish it. So when I saw that Netflix was broadening their horizons and started investing onto anime live actions, I knew the heavens gave me a chance to look at Fullmetal again because I knew it was really something. I just needed that push to start - and this was it.
Here is the synopsis of the movie:
The plot takes place at the beginning of the 20th century, in a reality where alchemy is real, extremely developed and respected. The plot features brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric who, after attempting the forbidden technique of human transmutation, suffer the consequences. Alphonse loses his entire body while Edward loses his left leg. Edward then sacrifices his right arm to save his brother's soul by attaching it to a metal suit of armor. Edward is then given mechanical prosthetics known as "automail" in place of his missing arm and leg. Upon acceptance into the State Alchemists, he is given the nickname "Fullmetal Alchemist", all while searching with Alphonse for the legendary philosopher's stone, that will repair their bodies.
I'll start this review off that by stating it has been years since I've watched the original anime (which I didn't finish) so in a way, I think that helps the enjoyment of an adaptation because I wasn't constantly comparing the new to the old. Annndd I'm not gonna lie. It's basically just okay. Nothing is so horrible that it jumps out at you, but also nothing so good that it elevates the film.
It's been given that the movie condenses a huge manga and anime down into a very long feeling 2 hours, nevertheless it does a commendable job hitting the key points and dropping the dead weight that isn't needed for the story. That isn't to say that those unfamiliar won't be confused, because they will be for sure! There were times I take a pause and look for the meaning of a jargon then proceed back again. There's just too much lore to go over, and terminologies, for the movie to cover for the average audience viewer.
The actors did a great job of portraying the characters we have come to love but because of that, it feels a little off. It is clear that the creators of the film wanted the characters to have the same quirks as their anime counterparts, but in doing so they made some characters over-act so badly that it feels out of place. It doesn't seem so jarring at first but if you make a human get irrationally angry over being called short it comes off as odd.
It hits story beats fine but at the same time it feels like you have been watching this movie since the beginning of time when the 60 minute mark hits. There are some major story moments that broke your heart the first time around that are still here to gut-wrench you once more. The CGI isnt the best, but outside of Hollywood it rarely is. You get the feeling that things have the wrong weight or consistency quite frequently. I found the earthquake in the beginning so fake after they kept rolling on flashbacks.
Fullmetal Alchemist live action is not exactly insulting to your eyes and ears, but it's also not going to be pushing anyone who doesn't already have Netflix to subscribe. Its not bad but it feels like more of a rough draft than a final release.
My Rating:
Plot: 9.5/10
Characters & Dialogue : 7.9/10
Structure & Pacing: 7.5/10
Theme: 8.0/10
Style & Tone: 6.5/10
OVERALL RATING: 7.8