It isn't bad per se, but that doesn't mean it's good. Originally released in 2017 in Japan, Netflix's "Fullmetal Alchemist" is a live action adaptation of the popular anime and manga series. The story follows the brothers Ed and Al as they search for the mystical Philosopher's Stone. They require its power to restore their bodies after they attempt to resurrect their mother using alchemy and pay the price for committing such a taboo.
I'll do my best to avoid spoilers, but first some context.
There are two anime series based on the manga "Fullmetal Alchemist". The first was produced in 2004 and was simply titled "Fullmetal Alchemist". 51 episodes long, it diverged from the source material partway through and had its own, original ending. This version provides the basis for the Netflix film. The second series came in 2009 and was called "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood". This followed the original manga very closely, spanning 64 episodes in length.
I Liked:
The visual effects... at times. The CGI at times reminded me of a SyFy original movie, and other times was better than the recent Power Rangers film which still isn't saying much. In spite of that, the movie does well to try and adapt the stunning, otherworldly science-fantasy visuals of the anime, and I'd say it did a passable job.
I also really enjoyed the cheesy, over-exaggerated acting. This isn't a knock on the actors or the direction. Anime is known for the excessive, expressive, energetic characters and keeping that spirit in the live-action version was simultaneously embarrassing and entertaining.
I Didn't Like:
Pretty much the rest of it, which is a shame because I really wanted to like this movie. It does the best it can to cram a 51 episode show into a two-hour film, but that ultimately leads to its downfall.
The success of this movie presupposes the audience has a familiarity with the source material, thus hoping the viewers can fill in the massive gaps in the story. It also suffers from poor pacing, as it races through the lengthy and detailed plot to try and wrap things up in its limited runtime.
This also means that many of the intricate subplots and character backstories are lost, and some of the best characters are completely removed. What makes "Fullmetal Alchemist" one of my favorite series of all time is its characters and the depth of its complex story.
In The End:
It's a valiant effort to produce and release a live-action version of a beloved anime, and I think fans of the original will be, or should be, mostly satisfied with the end result. Unfortunately, I don't think that newcomers to the series or genre will appreciate it in the end.
I still highly recommend watching either "Fullmetal Alchemist" or "Brotherhood" as both are fantastic shows with amazing English dubs in case subtitles just aren't your thing. Don't let the fact that it's "anime" stop you from enjoying it.
