It’s been two years since Edward Elric was transported to
Munich, Germany, the ultimate price of restoring the body and soul of his
younger brother, Alphonse. As a
potential new globe spanning conflict looms, a secret society seeks to unlock
the gate to a world known as Shamballa…which happens to be Ed’s alchemic homeworld. As two worlds begin to collide, Ed sees his
chance to return home and just in time too.
It’s going to take two prodigees of Alchemy to stop a menacing force
seeking to conquer their home. Once
more, the Fullmetal Alchemist and his brother head into battle, reunited
again…possibly for the last time.
Fullmetal Alchemist’s first Anime series back in 2003 was
a huge hit both in Japan and in the US.
Naturally, such success meant that FMA would find its way to the big
screen and did so a year after the series concluded. And while it does have a lot of the magic
that made the series work, mostly thanks to its indomitable lead brothers,
Conqueror of Shamballa ultimately collapses from too much expectation, too many
ideas clashing, and a need to satisfy fans and newcomers which results in a bit
of a mess, an entertaining one but a mess nonetheless.
I’ll just say this right away: you have to watch the
series before you see this movie. Though
the movie tries to get viewers up to speed on why Ed is in 1923 Germany and
kicks things off with a nice montage of series events (complete with a L’arc En
Ceil theme song, they also supply the end theme as well). But let’s face it, there’s more to Ed’s
predicament than a couple of short scenes can explain. Likewise, characters appear throughout the
film who are here for little more than fan service. Characters like Roy Mustang, Alex Armstrong
and Riza Hawkeye barely have anything to do other than be there for the fans to
cheer on occasion (though Mustang’s entrance into battle is bad ass). If this is to be the absolute final chapter
of this iteration of Fullmetal Alchemist, I guess the writers wanted to wrap up
everything thread they left dangling at the end of the TV Series (which I think
ended pretty well considering). Still,
people looking for a stand alone story will find themselves lost and wondering what
the heck is going, for the most part anyway.
As I said, there are some really good ideas here trying
to fight for room in a very crowded movie.
Ed being a wanderer in 1923 Germany is fascinating and seeing him
interact with some familiar faces isn’t without its rewards (though Hughes as a
Nazi will never sit right with me).
Likewise, there’s a lot of potential in Eckhart’s storyline, being the
wide eyed explorer who ends up transforming into the titular Conqueror of
Shamballa. Their clash of ideals makes
for some great back and forth. And yeah,
the concept of two Earth’s heading into a conflict is definitely a movie level
event. But again theyre competing for
time when we need to check in with characters like Winry, Wrath and even
Gluttony back in the Alchemic World. If
anything, this is why Conqueror of Shamballa might’ve worked better as another
season of the show, to give everything room to breath, get its messages out
fully and wrap everything up on a satisfactory note. Really, this story could have gone to just Ed
and Al on both worlds with one or two characters popping in. But I guess to make this an epic world war
level conflict, everyone has to get involved somehow.
Where Conqueror of Shamballa does work is where Fullmetal
Alchemist has always worked: The Brothers Elric themselves. Ed and Al continue to boast some of the most
likeable moments of “Brotherhood” in any Anime.
My favorite moments of the film though did happen when we got a bit of
retro Ed and Al (Al in his armor and Ed reacting to being called small). Their reunion isn’t a letdown and its clear
that time has not dulled their connection.
If anything, you can always see one beside the other, even when
apart. I did like Ed’s relationship with
Alphonse Heidrich, the Al of Germany.
He’s a lot like our Al but a bit naieve when it comes to who he ends up
working for. Still, he and Ed do have a
good report when it comes to stories about other worlds. The action is also pretty stellar, much like
the TV series. Though he does play an
important part that doesn’t get explained until much later, Wrath does get in
an epic fight scene with a mutated Gluttony.
And Ed, Al and Mustang are all on the ends of really good showdowns of
their own. When the action is happening,
it’s easy to forget the films shortcomings but they don’t stay forgotten for
long. Also, a special shoutout goes to
the films soundtrack. Many of the shows
themes return, including the tear inducing Elric Brothers Theme. But we also get the two aforementioned L’arc En
Ceil themes plus the Gypsy songs are gorgeous (helped a bit by a cute Noah
dancing to them).
Overall, if you’re just wrapping up the 2003 TV Series,
then Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie-Conqueror of Shamballa will no doubt fulfill
your desire to see the loose ends from the series tied up, along with a tale
that fits nicely for the universe. For
newcomers, I think the clash of new ideas and fanservice wont do you any
favors. This is a movie for the fans and
fans alone and the effort made to be accessible to anyone else is poorly
done. The action and some of the story
will keep you watching til the end, along with that good old Elric Bros
magic. In the end, this is a fair movie
level event that should have been as mindblowing as the TV series. Better luck next time I guess.
6/10
Speaking of better luck, will the Elric Bros. second
round at big screen stardom be the success Conqueror of Shamballa ended up not
being? Check back tomorrow for my review
of Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star
of Milos.
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