A superior sequel but with the same lack of depth
The Fullmetal Alchemist: The Revenge of Scar is a well-made sequel to the popular Fullmetal Alchemist movie series. The story flows better and is more efficient than the first film, which was a bit slow. Plot takes precedence over depth, but when the more somber scenes strike, they hit the right emotional chord. Overall, this is an enjoyable watch for new fans as well as old ones.
As the 64-episode anime series concludes, Scar begins his search for revenge against all State Alchemists. The Elrics must oppose him while also continuing to look into the existence of the mysterious homunculi. In the process, they meet several new characters including Ling Yao, the 12th crown prince of Xing; Mei Chang, a rival princess from the same country; and Edward’s younger brother Alphonse.
The film starts off a bit shaky with a seemingly random train hijacking scene. But what it does well, is introduce us to Prince Ling Yao and his two boydguards, Lan Fan and Fu. We also see that Envy is alive and kicking. Prince Ling Yao is the heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Wu, but he’s been living in exile since his father was overthrown. When a train is hijacked by terrorists, Ling Yao and his two bodyguards - Lan Fan and Fu - are forced to return to Wu and take on the terrorists. Along the way, they meet Envy, who has been plotting revenge against Ling Yao for years. ..
The film is more cohesive than the first. Instead of jumping from event to event, this one stitches them together in a fluent manner. It’s easy for new audiences to follow the story, which is an engaging ride that draws them further into the world of alchemy.
The writing in Scar’s narrative is well done. The author makes it clear that Scar is the protagonist and the slow reveal of his motives and history makes him a compelling character. Towards the end, we see him come face to face with his blind revenge and begin to re-evaluate it. Although, Scar being played by a man in brownface makes the whole thing slightly off-putting.
In Winry’s arc, she is also on a journey of forgiveness. This is a mirror image of Scar’s journey. Tsubasa Honda’s portrayal of Winry was a little over the top in the previous film, but she does a fantastic job depicting Winry’s heartbreak in this one.
The story is compelling, but it feels too compressed and truncated. The characters are interesting and the plot is compelling, but the film feels like it could have been much more. The depth of the story is missing, and without spending time with the characters, we don’t get a full understanding of their motivations.
After watching the final installment of the movie series, many viewers were left with unanswered questions. For example, what happened to Rey’s parents? And what is Kylo Ren’s plan? The loose ends left behind are meant to be resolved in the next installment, which is set to release in 2020. The ending is also a cliffhanger that is sure to keep viewers interested in the next installment. ..
The movie is great, but some of the sets and costumes feel a little too cartoonish for a live-action movie.
The visual effects in “The Alchemist” are of a higher quality than in previous films. However, the creators missed an opportunity to introduce alkahestry, or the ‘purification arts,’ from Xing and Scar’s personal brand of combined alchemy and alkahestry. This would have made the film more exciting for viewers and provided a better understanding for new audiences. ..
This movie is a great reminder of a beloved story and a chance for new audiences to enjoy the captivating world and its characters without having to spend hours and hours on it.
