Decoding the Controversy: Fullmetal Alchemist Movie's Bold Style and Original Story

A New Adventure

Fullmetal Alchemist has only seen two animated films, The Conquerer of Shamballa and The Sacred Star of Milos. While the former follows the storyline of the original 2003 anime, the latter is part of the Brotherhood series and has received mixed reviews from fans. Despite its impressive visuals and production team, many consider it to be a letdown.

Set in the middle of the Brotherhood series, The Sacred Star of Milos tells an original story where Edward and Alphonse Elric embark on a mission to capture an escaped convict. Their journey leads them to Table City, situated on the border between Amestris and Creta, where tensions between the government and the original inhabitants of the land are brewing. These inhabitants were once the rightful owners of the holy city of Milos, but were forced down into the valley below.

While Brotherhood was already a complete series, the film's storyline was an original creation. However, the absence of Hiromu Arakawa's involvement in the writing process has been a major point of criticism. The film seems to rehash familiar themes without bringing anything new to the table.

This is a common challenge faced by anime films that are part of established franchises. However, it is particularly difficult for Brotherhood as the original series had a conclusive ending. Any movie set within the series' timeline would have to navigate through its already dense plot. Furthermore, the lead characters, Ed and Al, would not have much room for character development.

The lack of major character development in the Sacred Star of Milos did not hinder its success as a good story. The addition of new characters with their own unique narratives made the movie entertaining for viewers. The film's quality, however, is subjective depending on the viewer's perspective. The opening scenes were marred by awkward editing and a mediocre introduction of the new characters, Julia and Ashleigh. However, the appearance of the Elric Brothers breathed new life into the plot and elevated the film's potential.

A Bold Style

The film's visuals are truly stunning, a departure from the familiar style of Brotherhood. Chief animation director Kenichi Konishi's character designs and effects are markedly different, and some viewers may find it jarring. However, while there may be some negative reviews regarding the art style, it would be unfair to dismiss it completely. The shading, line art, and attention to detail are purposeful and effective, and it is worth noting that the character designer also served as the animation director.

The animation style of this film is distinct from the TV anime, prioritizing overall animation over art quality. Movement is constant throughout the film, particularly in the fast-paced and action-packed early scenes. One standout moment is the chaotic prison break in Table City where the rebels utilize wing suits and grappling hooks while the Elrics navigate elevated pipes. Interestingly, despite being produced by Studio Bones, known for their work on Fullmetal Alchemist, the animation at times resembles that of a Ghibli film with subtle character movements and realistic animation. In the climax, Julia's powerful alchemy causes her hair to stand on end, a classic Ghibli animation technique for female protagonists.

The animation and visuals in this film deserve all the credit. While some may argue that this style doesn't fit the series, there's no denying the excellence of Yoshimichi Kameda's work. His use of heavy brush strokes is a signature of his sublime style. It's also worth noting that the film was co-directed by Shingo Natsume, known for his work on Space Dandy and One Punch Man.

An [Un]Original Story

The film boasts stunning visuals and the first half is captivating enough to make one question the critics who wrote it off. However, the story fails to live up to the hype built in the beginning. It lacks originality and fails to evoke the same emotional response as the main series when portraying the impact of Death and Imperialism on the oppressed. Characters like Julia attempt to convey the story's moral message, but their words lack impact and feel uninspired. The plot twists, double-crosses, and reveals aim to shock the audience, but they involve characters who are poorly established or appear out of nowhere. The constant twists become exhausting, with one imposter character revealing their true identity without any meaningful introduction, while another masked villain fails to play a significant role in the story.

The film falls short in its originality, but what's even more disappointing is the abundance of fascinating ideas that are not explored in a coherent manner. The climax, for instance, showcases the creators' plethora of remarkable concepts that could have been brought to life. Julia's use of a philosopher's stone to battle the antagonist is nothing short of impressive, especially when she dons Ed's red coat, a small yet significant gesture that adds to her charm. However, the brilliance of the idea is lost in the film's lackluster execution. As the story progresses towards its end, the convoluted plot and betrayals become comical.

The Sacred Star of Milos, despite the talent behind it, falls short of expectations and its reputation as a polarizing film is well-deserved. It is a disappointment, especially considering the potential of the creative team. While it is comforting to know that the artists have moved on to better projects, it doesn't change the fact that this film was a missed opportunity. Perhaps it was inevitable that it would struggle to follow in the footsteps of the beloved Brotherhood series, given the law of equivalent exchange.