The brothers are looking for the Philosopher's Stone. So here's a movie that very few people believed in in development. Even in the trailers, wigs seemed too artificial, people dressed as their characters were caricatured clowns, and special effects seemed to be the main protruding virtue. It was as if they were trying to tell us from the very beginning: “Well, you know that nothing good will come out, so at least you have an action, enjoy it.”
It’s not entirely clear for whom the film was shot: for outsiders, there are a couple of confusing moments that even me, who is familiar with the two series, stupored; for fans, this is a too simplistic version of their favorite story.
Plus of the picture:
Thank God for cinema, these smart people decided to make several films, rather than shove everything into one. It is not known what would have happened to the story of the alchemists if the events of the manga had been adapted for two hours. In this film, they focused on some key points: the Tucker family, Dr. Marco, and the N5 lab. Events are more than enough for one movie. It’s a pity that there was no, for example, Scar, but would the film win if the writers tried to cram his line?
Decorations and costumes. Wigs with wigs, but suits for five. Especially in the military, to watch. And the setting - all these cobbled streets, steam trains, flags with familiar anime signs - contributes to the immersion. And the similarity of the characters to the originals is more pleasant.
Some characters. It's not just externally recognizable. Hughes was not pressed, but he is still such a sweet and smiling uncle that every appearance in the frame is like the sun coming out from behind the clouds. Homunculi are convincing. Alphonse... it’s hard to find fault with him, but to me he seemed the same as always. Roy Mustang delighted with determination and courage, and Lisa Hokai is still a devoted smart girl. An unexpected expansion of Tucker's role. Not that it’s a big influence, but I don’t mind looking at this character.
Sequence of action: I did not see Sumbura. Things are going on consistently, and that’s interesting. I would be lying if I said that the film was not interesting to watch, even knowing the story in advance. Although there are problems with the plot, but more about this below.
Minuses:
Stupid. There is so much stupidity and absurdity. He borrows some of the things that I don’t like directly from The Brotherhood instead of correcting them (the flat-tempered Passion, Ed’s hypocritical attitude to the philosopher’s stone), but he also grumbles a lot from himself. Al flies on a piece of floor into the sky like Ellie's house during a hurricane - what? Ed gets angry a couple of times when he's called a little guy, even though he's almost as tall as a grown man -- really? One character in excitement taunts the solution under his nose and draws on the map, and immediately an enemy appears behind his back and threatens to kill him for finding - did they graze through the wall there, that after a second they already came to meet him? Homunculi do not check if their victims are dead and leave, and they still have time to tell other characters important information before they die. Oh, and homunculi seem to collect bullets, judging by the fact that they remain in the body after wounds are healed.
Some characters. Especially Edward. I didn’t like his emotional image in the film. There was a lack of cynicism and tenacity, which he showed with enviable constancy in the series (in the 2003 version so exactly). Here all his virtues pale and shredded.
Actor's play. Not everyone, but sometimes you notice overplay. The curvatures of the local Vinny made me feel bad.
What was that?
Strange twist with envy. Fans of this character will be disappointed. The general's line is also questionable, and he himself is somehow superfluous and pathetic. Ed's dream with an admixture of memories can confuse anyone.
I can’t call it the worst anime/manga adaptation I’ve ever seen. It didn’t hurt to watch this movie. In some places it was interesting, in some places ashamed of the creators. And yet, if they're planning to shoot any further, I'd like to see a sequel.
6 out of 10