A better movie than its predecessor, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Revenge of Scar makes for an intriguing second chapter in the trilogy. The story flows much better, with events and characters coming together more easily and efficiently than before. Plot continues to take precedence over depth, but when the darker scenes hit, they strike the right emotional chord. Overall, this is a fun and exciting watch, more for new fans than old ones.
Adapted from the 64-episode anime, this installment introduces the audience to Scar and his quest for revenge against all of the State Alchemists. The brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, must oppose him as they continue to investigate the existence of the mysterious homunculi. In the process, they meet several new characters, including Ling Yao, the 12th crown prince of the eastern nation of Xing, as well as Mei Chang, a rival princess from the same country.
The movie starts off a bit shaky with a seemingly random train hijacking scene. But what he does well is introduce us to Prince Ling Yao and his two bodyguards of his, Lan Fan and Fu. We also see that Envy is alive and well.
Director: Fumihiko Sori
Writers: Hiromu Arakawa, Fumihiko Sori, Takeshi Miyamoto
Stars: Ryôsuke Yamada, Tsubasa Honda, Dean Fujioka
The rest of the film is a much more coherent piece of work. Instead of jumping from event to event like in the first movie, this one seamlessly ties them together. It's easy for new audiences to follow the story, which is an engaging journey that immerses them deeper into the world of alchemy.
Scar's narrative, in particular, is handled well. It is clear that he is the true protagonist of the film and the slow reveal of his motives and history makes him a compelling character. Towards the end, we really see him come face to face with his blind revenge and begin to reevaluate her. Although, Scar being played by a brown-faced man makes the whole thing a bit off-putting.
Winry's arc is also well executed and his journey to forgiveness is a mirror image of Scar's. Tsubasa Honda's portrayal of Winry was a bit over the top in the previous movie, but she does a fantastic job of portraying Winry's angst in this one.
While the characters have an interesting dynamic with each other, the plot is overwhelming. Since this is an adaptation of a TV show, it's only natural that they had to compress events and information. The way they changed the timelines to fit a tight script with all the important milestones is commendable. But the result is that the depth of the story on the big screen is still missing. Without spending time with the characters and learning to love them, the big questions about race, patriotism, and family don't land with the impact they might otherwise.
It's important to note that this movie and the final installment are meant to be two parts of a whole. So the loose ends that remain are done for a good reason. The ending is also a cliffhanger that is compelling enough to make people want to see the next installment.
The costumes and sets continue to be one of the highlights of the film, with all the characters looking like they came straight out of the anime. Even Ed's hair is much better than in the first movie. An exception would be Major Armstrong, whose physique and hair feel too cartoony for live action.
The visual effects are also a bit higher in quality. Although the creators missed an opportunity with the different types of alchemy in the movie. With the introduction of Xing's alkahestry or "purification arts" and with Scar's personal brand of alchemy and alkahestry combined, a unique display of each would have made for a more exciting watch. It would also help provide better understanding for new audiences.
For long-time Fullmetal Alchemist fans, this movie could be a good reminder of a beloved story, as well as a chance to see live-action versions of favorite characters. But otherwise, it really is made for new audiences who can enjoy this captivating world and its characters without having to spend hours and hours in it.
Watch Fullmetal Alchemist: The Revenge of Scar 2022 Movie Trailer
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