Review "Fullmetal Alchemist" (Netflix): a faithful adaptation but not very original!

For our new live movie review, our choice fell on Fullmetal Alchemist released a few months ago by Netflix. Many comments have been made about this adaptation, whether good or bad.We will therefore try to be as objective as possible.

Check out our full review of the long-awaited 2017 live-action film, Fullmetal Alchemist.

Fullmetal Alchemist

Original title: 鋼の錬金術師 – Hagane no Renkinjutsushi

Alternative title: Fullmetal Alchemist

Gender: Action – Military – Fantastic

Country: Japan

Release date: December 1, 2017

Streaming platform: Netflix

Director: Fumihiko SORI (Ashita no Joe)

Writers: Fumihiko SORI – Takeshi MIYAMOTO (The Supporting Actors)

Original work: Arakawa HIROMU (manga)

Synopsis

Amestris is a country, ruled mostly by a military force. This army is supported by State Alchemists possessing the power to transform matter. But, however, it takes an equivalent exchange to carry it out. Edward (Ed) Elric is the eldest of two brothers, nicknamed the Fullmetal Alchemist because of his mechanical arm and leg. His younger brother, Alphonse (Al) is imprisoned in metal armor. Both have the common goal of finding the Philosopher's Stone. In order to return Ed's missing limbs and Al's body. But the quest promises to be fraught with pitfalls.

Main cast

This review contains important elements from the film and may therefore contain spoilers. To be read at your own risk.

In search of the philosopher's stone

Adapting a work like Fullmetal Alchemist was a big challenge, given its success and the many fans already crying foul when the project was announced. However, despite some scripted weaknesses, some errors of taste in clothing or lengths, we find visually the manga. Discovering the first chase scene between Edward, our young alchemist and the priest Cornello, there is no doubt that we are in Liore. Ed soon uses his power to overcome it with obviously, this dear Al. Moreover, this scene where he destroys part of the city is reminiscent of a certain Natsu from Fairy Tail !

The importance of the special effects brought to the specificities of the characters are to be emphasized because, very correct and satisfying making the whole coherent and harmonious. A point that could have been a blow to the franchise in case of the opposite effect. On the other hand, you will need to know a minimum of the original work if you want to understand the story of the film. And for once, we have little explanation in this film, which may lose those who would like to see it. Especially since the two-hour format doesn't really help the plot. Everything goes too fast and not always in the right direction, especially when you know the manga. Apart from these few worries, overall the adaptation is faithful and makes us have a good time by raising the level of other films of the genre.

Characters too faithful to the manga?

Now it's time to tell you more about the credibility of the chosen actors and whether they respected their characters. First of all, Ryosuke YAMADA (Edward Elric) is an actor that we see a lot in this kind of film. His character is rather faithful to his model, except for the wig that ruins everything. Although we end up getting used to it a little (or not)… It was mainly on the side of facial expressions that we had some doubts, but although it is a light hair, it is not inexpressive. Atomu MIZUISHI (Alphonse Elric) lends his voice to the armor in which Edward has locked his younger brother to save his soul. The tone of his voice and the emotions felt by the latter are interesting, bringing to the screen a sympathetic chemistry between brothers, but something is missing to really feel this unique connection between them.

Tsubasa HONDA (Winry Rockbell) disappointed us, with this character too bland and erased. So, whether Edward's irreplaceable mechanic is present on screen or not does not change the plot, since associated with a role of extra. The same goes for the Homoculus (Lust, Envy, Glutony) which leave us with a bitter feeling because poorly exploited. Kanata HONGO (Envy) is a good actor but here, just the disguise we have decked him out makes him bad: we have already seen more successful cosplay!Regarding Yasuko MATSUYUKI (Lust), she plays her role quite well and yet she lacks malice and combativeness.Shinji UCHIYAMA (Gluttony) meanwhile, is faithful to the character of "simple glutton" who thinks that to fill his stomach.

Finally, we briefly return to the army corps with Dean FUJIOKA (Roy) and Ryuta SATO (Maes) who are two actors followed by the editor. They are both convincing, without overdoing it. However, some will be surprised that they lack important protagonists, including Scar, Alex Louis Armstrong, King Bradley or Rose, essential to some changes in Edward and Alphonse in the manga. 

A bet not really successful

At first glance, Fullmetal Alchemist 's feature film is not as catastrophic as we expected, since the important points have been met. The screenwriter wanted to play it safe by not taking any risks, forgetting to give free rein to his imagination. Wewould have appreciated a new pitch. But there, he simply summarized the first volumes of the manga and then moved on to the last, thus making the film wobbly. At the level of realization, the plans are rich in details and the emblematic scenes of the first volumes of the manga well present. We find indeed, Father Cornello, Shou Tucker and the chimeras, Dr. Marco, the Homunculus, laboratory number five or the Gate of Truth.

The choice of casting is only Japanese, as too often, which is not a good point. Especially in this work, where various nationalities are represented and which takes place in an invented universe. This kind of production also suffers from many constraints, whether budgetary or due to an audience that recognizes itself better in actors of their nationalities. Too bad that the production remains too standard and cannot, therefore, stand out or raise the bar.

The special effects used to illustrate the powers of the alchemists are less impressive than the anime.Another small flat on the armor of Alphonse which remains too rigid once in motion, the same for the chimeras lacking emotions especially when they speak … In addition, it is better to know a minimum of manga or anime to understand the stakes and the speed of the sequences of situations not always fair or obvious. In short, if the film is far from perfect, it is nevertheless an adaptation that can be watched.

Fullmetal's feature film Alchemist has bet on a faithful adaptation to the work. Yet, despite good special effects and key passages, as a nod to fans of the series, the adaptation does not take risks. And that's a pity. 

For those who want to know more about the original work, we can only recommend the manga or both versions of the anime.