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Fullmetal Alchemist
Directed by
Fumihiko Sori
PG-13
2017
2h 15m
Fantasy
,
Action
,
and more
5.3
28%
71%
Add to Watchlist
Two alchemist brothers go on a quest for the Philosopher's Stone after an attempt to revive their dead mother goes horribly wrong.
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Where to Watch Fullmetal Alchemist
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Cast of Fullmetal Alchemist
Ryosuke Yamada
Edward Elric
Atomu Mizuishi
Alphonse Elric
Tsubasa Honda
Winry Rockbell
Dean Fujioka
Roy Mustang
Misako Renbutsu
Riza Hawkeye
Yasuko Matsuyuki
Lust
Kanata Hongo
Envy
Shinji Uchiyama
Gluttony
Jun Kunimura
Tim Marcoh
Ryuta Sato
Maes Hughes
Fumiyo Kohinata
Hakuro
Yo Oizumi
Shou Tucker
Kenjirou Ishimaru
Cornello
Natsuki Harada
Gracia Hughes
Natsuna Watanabe
Maria Ross
Fumihiko Sori
Director
Tyler Rhoads
Writer
Yumiko Yoshihara
Producer
Fullmetal Alchemist Ratings & Reviews
jackmeat
November 5, 2024
My quick rating - 5.9/10. I had heard good things about this live-action adaptation of the popular manga and anime series, bringing to life the tale of two alchemist brothers, Edward (Ryôsuke Yamada) and Alphonse (Atom Mizuishi) Elric. Their journey begins with a tragic attempt to resurrect their deceased mother, an experiment that backfires disastrously, leaving Edward without an arm and a leg, and Alphonse's soul bound to a suit of armor. Determined to restore their bodies, they embark on a quest to find the elusive Philosopher's Stone. The film's narrative is steeped in rich lore and alchemical intrigue, reminiscent of the detailed world-building seen in the Harry Potter series. The story's depth and complexity offer an engaging premise, drawing you into a world where alchemy blends seamlessly with the fabric of everyday life. However, the execution of this intricate plot is somewhat marred by the film's tonal inconsistencies. One of the standout elements is its quirky characters, each bringing a unique flavor to the story. Yet, their portrayal often veers into the realm of over-the-top sitcom antics, which can feel jarring against the darker, more serious undertones of the story. This sitcom-like acting style detracts from the gravitas of the brothers' quest and the emotional weight of their personal tragedies, making it challenging to fully immerse in the story's more poignant moments. Visually, the film offers a mix of impressive and lackluster CGI effects. The depiction of alchemical transmutations is a visual treat, capturing the magical essence of the source material. However, some of the creature designs and action sequences fall short, occasionally pulling us out of the experience due to their inconsistency in quality. Despite not having read the manga, I was familiar with its existence, which provided some context for the film's narrative. This adaptation, while ambitious, seems to struggle with balancing faithfulness to the original story and the constraints of live-action filmmaking. The film's pacing feels rushed at times, as it attempts to condense a sprawling and complex story into a manageable runtime, leading to an uneven flow and some underdeveloped plot points. In summary, I found it a mixed bag. It succeeds in introducing the fascinating world of alchemy and its eccentric characters to a new audience. The prime-time sitcom-like acting, combined with inconsistent visual effects and a rushed narrative, makes it difficult to fully engage with the story's emotional core. For fans of the original manga and anime, this adaptation might offer some nostalgic moments, but it falls short of capturing the full magic and depth of its source material. I am still looking forward to checking out the 2 sequels sitting in my watchlist.
Asian Movie Pulse
Panos Kotzathanasis
"Fullmetal Alchemist" is an impressive film to look at (minus the blond wigs), but unfortunately, in terms of narrative, characters, and adapting is a mediocre effort.
Cultured Vultures
Carlos Frigo
Key aspects of storytelling, character building, and presentation are thrown out the window, and the finished product is a frustrating 135 minutes that feels like Chinese water torture.
GeeksHaveGame
Chris Sawin
Just because the visuals are nice in Fullmetal Alchemist doesn't mean we can overlook the lame costume design, the strained acting, or the piss poor representation of a beloved anime and manga series.
Geek
Bob Chipman
An ultra-condensed, very fast-moving yet also sluggish-feeling run-through of the major story points from the Manga and the two Anime series.
Thrillist
John Maher
Even in movies, the laws of equivalent exchange apply: you can't get out any more, or any less, than what you put in.
Common Sense Media
Renee Schonfeld
Violence, gore, peril in live-action manga adaptation.
Nerdist
Scott Beggs
This couldn't have been an easy series to distill into one movie, but even so, the thinness of the plot doesn't do justice to the characters or the jaw-dropping visuals and design.
Den of Geek
Daniel Kurland
This film may be strong enough to create new Fullmetal Alchemist fans out of those who are unfamiliar with the source material, but it's not impressive enough for existing fans of the property to think that this is a home run, either.
The Daily Dot
Danielle Ransom
Although not quite the disaster of previous manga adaptations, the film still falls short of the original story.
The Young Folks
Evan Griffin
It's hard to recommend to anyone but the most faithful of curious fans.
The Mary Sue
Kaila Hale-Stern
Where this version really won me over is with its compelling effects and worldbuilding. It's hard to translate the madcap randomness and outrageousness of anime action into, well, real life, but Sori gives it a spirited go.
Decider
Kayla Cobb
If you're a fan of the franchise, it's worth checking out. It's a watch that pales in comparison to the original, but Fullmetal Alchemist makes for such a good story, even a bad version of it has weight.
IGN Movies
Kaori Shoji
Fullmetal Alchemist has some good things going for it, but needs to fix the leaks and sputtering in the narrative's engine. The movie leaves room for a sequel, so maybe we'll get to see a new and improved Hagaren soon.
The Hollywood Reporter
Deborah Young
Characters come and go quickly, leaving a feeling that there is too much compression of the multi-episode story.
Variety
Richard Kuipers
Following [a] spirited set-up, the story never gains much propulsion or emotional weight.
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Fullmetal Alchemist (US Trailer)
Fullmetal Alchemist (US Trailer)
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