Fullmetal Alchemist (2017)

20180831:
Overall, the movie lacked action and was dense in story. I think it better caters to anyone who has either read the source manga or seen either anime series, Fullmetal Alchemist or Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. To be clear, this means that full knowledge of any one of the three is sufficient background improve one's enjoyment of the movie, because otherwise the plot points of the movie go by far too quickly for someone unfamiliar with the series. However, with respect to the plot, then the movie deviates in several ways to save time while also sticking close to the primary story of the original manga (and hence the story of FMA:B*).

In any case, I don't think this movie is worth watching. If you haven't read the manga or seen either anime, then the movie attempts to show too much in too little time. If you have read the manga or seen either anime, then this movie adds very little with respect to plot. In fact, fans might get upset at how the film might be butchering the plot. However, what this movie does offer to fans is the novelty of seeing the interpretation of the manga/anime as live action.

*The plot of the first anime series, FMA, diverges from the plot of the manga (which at the time was still being completed) and has a different ending (Wikipedia says this was by request of the manga's author, Hiromu Arakawa).

[20191014]

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20191014 Comment:
I was going through the list of movies which I've seen and looking for ones which lacked a blog post. I was surprised when I came down to Fullmetal Alchemist, because I thought it was an error - I thought I was referring to the anime. At first I pulled up a trailer for the movie and it looked familiar, but I could have just watched the trailer. So then I pulled up my collection of notes and I discovered that I had already seen this movie.

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Instant Comments:
English subtitles seem to be for Japanese audio.
I already finished the series so I just... In my mind, I don't want to see Nina's fate.
What a beating.
Tucker.
It takes me a long time to semi-adjust to Ed's blonde hair. (After he beats up Nina's dad)
This scene of Al's memories.
Ada cries when Al says "Brother. It hurts... to see you hurt." [The corresponding caption is "Ed. I do. It does hurt." Prior to the line, Ed resumes attacking Al and Al says "It hurts." Ed responds, "Liar! You don't even feel pain!" After the line, Ed promises Al he'll get Al's body back.]

Credits:
During the credits, the brothers, when they are kids, are shown mixing ingredients and doing research for human transmutation
After the credits an ambiguous scene is shown with Envy and Chameleon.

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Watched 20180831 (Netflix, Instant) (English audio, English subtitles)
Fullmetal Alchemist* (2017) Fumihiko Sori. 135 min
*Hagane no renkinjutsushi

Relevant Links:
Fullmetal Alchemist (IMDb.com)
Fullmetal Alchemist (Hagane no renkinjutsushi) (RottenTomatoes.com)
Fullmetal Alchemist (film) (Wikipedia.org)