Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie - Conqueror of Shamballa (DVD, 2009)

It was a long three year wait for this movie to be released in an English-dubbed version. But I’m glad I waited to see it with the same voices & cast of Full Metal Alchemist I’m familiar with and believe other fans of the TV series will also be thrilled. This film continues the story of Edward & Alphonse Elric, two youngsters who pursue alchemic knowledge and the mastery of the Philosopher’s Stone. (And don’t worry, I won’t be giving any major spoilers in this review.)

The film jumps right back into Ed and Al’s struggles, beginning with a flashback that has them battling a semi-mad scientist type who has invented a dangerously destructive bomb. Then the story picks up with Edward in pre-war Europe, working with his brother Al’s modern-day alternate. Ed is seriously into rocket research, believing it might be his ticket back home to the Alchemic world and to his brother. Concurrently back in the Alchemic world, Alphonse has spent his time studying to improve his skills. Thanks to his unique experience within the gate, Al’s alchemic talents are exceptional, exceeding even those of his brother Edward’s. He’s surpassed everything Izumi can teach him and has moved on to become quite a master in the art. The plot jumps back and forth between Edward’s efforts in the ‘real’ world (1920s era Earth) and Alphonse struggling to reopen the gate in the Alchemic world.

One aspect of the movie I really liked was that all the main characters are essentially doubled; Ed meets up with almost all of his past acquaintances as ‘alter-egos’ in the modern day world he occupies now. But virtually all the characters on both sides of the gate have undergone major transformations and no one is doing what you’d expect them to be. For instance, Colonel Roy Mustang has turned hermit, living alone in a mountain cabin far away from the military and refuses to use his alchemy... OK, so the man has issues. One shocker for me was how many of the main players were killed off in this movie, but of course, I’m not telling which ones bite the dirt.

The pivotal battle scene in the film is partially revealed in previews: an epic fight involving a very mutated and grotesque Gluttony, the homonculus who creeped us out so bad in the series. Yes, the inhuman, eating-disorder guy is back in an even creepier form. Envy returns too, in a much-transformed state.

The inclusion of Nazi evildoers and an attempt to illustrate prejudice against Jews and minorities didn’t really shine, but only felt like the creators’ stilted attempt to make a point about social injustice. Even so, there’s enough plot twists, action scenes and special effects to keep any FMA fan on the edge of the couch cushion. And the ending promises more to come, so now I'll impatiently wait for the second Full Metal Alchemist movie.

I want to start by saying that if you don't know Fullmetal Alchemist, go to Youtube or Veoh and absorb as much of it as you can. It's a great show, has its moments of dullness but everything does. Though the story is watered down from the manga, the cartoon is a GREAT watch with a cast of fascinating characters and a deep story. The reason I say this is because this movie will confuse the hell out of you if you don't know the series that well.

For those like me who love the series and know the main gist of the story, this is a great buy. I had seen it in Japanese online before I bought it, but there's this rare quality about the series where the American versions are NEVER short of the original quality. True artistic integrity. The story is great, and the animation is top-notch (Though I think they hold back sometimes). The fights are sick, but a bit short, but that may just be my own taste getting in the way. Anyway, FMA fans give it a look, even though I can't see any real fan of the show not having seen it before it was even released in America. (It's a BUY)