Title: Fullmetal Alchemist The Movie
Category: Movie
Total Episodes: 1
Year Published: 2005
US Distribution: FUNimation
Format: Movie
Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Drama
Length: 90 minutes
Rating: PG-13

Synopsis:

The Fullmetal Alchemist theatrical feature, The Conqueror of Shambala, takes place two years after the last episode of the popular broadcast series. Edward Elric has been transported to Earth and is living in Weimar-era Munich with Alphonse Heiderich, a young engineer who reminds him of Al. This Alphonse is working for the Thule Society, a group of Aryan fanatics who hope to cross dimensions to the world they call Shambala and acquire weapons that will ensure a German victory in the next war. Back in the world where the broadcast series took place, a restored Alphonse Elric searches for a way to bring Ed back. A combination of science and alchemy finally reunites the brothers--with unexpected consequences. Although the film is an exciting adventure that includes many of the familiar characters, viewers who haven't watched the TV series may have trouble sorting out who's who and what's where. Sadly, The Conqueror of Shambala marks the end of director Seiji Mizushima's and screenwriter Shou Aikawa's work with the Elric brothers: together, they preserved the essence of Hiromu Arakawa's winning characters while adapting them to a new medium. Arakawa is continuing the manga, so fans may one day see further animated adventures of Ed and Al.

Anime Review:

Fullmetal Alchemist and the Conqueror of Shambala is the movie sequel to the beloved Fullmetal Alchemist series, and it ends it with a bang. Literally, at times. Be prepared for explosions, blood, historical references, brotherly love, gypsies, Hitler, and plenty of close up time for fan favorite Edward Elric. (Sorry, I just HAD to say that, for the fangirls.) Now if that didn't scare you off, let's get on with the review.

Oh, and the review may contain some spoilers for the series. Proceed with caution--you have been warned.

The movie takes place in two worlds--Shambala, the world that the Fullmetal series took place in, and our world, more specifically, Germany in the year 1921. Eighteen year old Edward Elric lives here, along with seventeen year old Alphonse Heiderich, a young man that greatly resembles Alphonse Elric, Ed's sweet-natured little brother of the same age. Ever since bringing his little brother back to life at the end of the series, he has closed himself off from other people of the world, haunted by the question of his sacrifice to bring his little brother back--was it for naught?

He works with Al Heiderich on rockets, until one day, they offer their home to a young gypsy girl named Noa, who was to be sold. Her greatest (and most coveted) talent--she can read the minds of people my merely touching them, something Ed fins out early on, when she senes a heavy past from him.

In Shambala, seventeen year old Alphonse Elric has a great desire to reuinte with his brother, whom he brought back from the dead at the end of the series. Although Al is human now, he cannot remember anything from the four years he and his brother spent together travelling for the Philosopher's Stone. Now donned in a cosplay-esque outift resembling the likes of what Edward wore those four years, he seeks ways to reunite with Edward.

One day, he fuses part of his soul to a suit of armor similar to the one his soul had been bound in for so long, and is able to contact Ed in Germany, but only for a few minutes. He tells Ed that they will find each other someday, and to wait for him. It is this meeting that causes the brothers to find the portal that can take them to each other's worlds.

Now as you can see from my description, the story keeps with tradition of the series, suspenseful, a bit weird, and heartwarming in some instances. However, it is highly recommended that you are familiar with the events before World War II, and Adolf Hitler's reign. And if you have not seen the whole series, it is strongly recommended that you do before viewing the movie.

If not the whole series, then at least the final two episodes, for the movie will make references to it. I have recieved many complaints from people who have seen the movie and didn't like it, merely because they had not seen that series, didn't know the facts about post WWII Germany, or both. With this knowledge, confusion should be minimal.

The visuals are relatively unchanged from the series, but who says that's a bad thing? Old favorites are instantly recognizable and new characters have looks that correspond with the time period. BONES has done it again.

As with the visuals, they have remained virtually unchanged, but the music fits well with each siutation. All the voice actors from the series return and reprise their roles wonderfully and triumphantly.

And now, for the ending. Without giving too much away, the ending was fitting, but felt rather hollow. It was almost as if it was saying that there was more FMA to come, even though the series ended prior to it. I am now hearing that an OVA is being made, so maybe that will fill in some holes.

Overall, the Fullmetal Alchemist movie is a wonderful addition to the series, and no true FMA fan should miss it. It may seem confusing at first, and the ending may dissapoint some, but trust me, stick with it and you will be rewarded.

Grade: B(plus) - If you’ve seen the TV series you will adore this film. If you haven’t seen the show, you’ll like all the pretty animation, but the story will go completely over your head.

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