 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT | | | ▪ | ASPECT RATIO: | | 4:3 FULL SCREEN | | | ▪ | AUDIO: | | ENGLISH DD 5.1 / 2.0 AND
JAPANESE DD 2.0 | | | ▪ | RUNNING TIME: | | 264 MIN | | | ▪ | RATING: | | TV PG | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 03/11/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 03/29/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
SYNOPSIS:
What are you willing to sacrifice?
As the chaos surrounding the quest for the Philosopher’s Stone boils over, Edward Elric is left to face his destiny and bear the burdens of his actions alone. Scar, determined to reenact the horrors of the past, must be stopped at all cost. But when those who sought to save lives are instead sought as fugitives of the State, the Elric brothers will be forced to flee… Alliances shift and factions fracture as undeniable truths glare in the light of day and the rumor of civil war drives unrest. And yet all seek the Philosopher’s Stone. Al has been changed into something impossible to comprehend and as the brothers are separated, his suit of armor begins to disintegrate. Ed has precious little time left to find his sibling. The weary young men have traveled a long and difficult path, seeking to regain what was lost. Enemies have been toppled, friends have been buried and the State will be remade. Even the one inevitable truth will be called into question – The Law of Equivalent Exchange. Contains episodes 41 to 51 on 3 discs. REVIEW:
The finale of one of the greatest series in anime comes to an unforgettable close in the climatic conclusion of these final episodes of the TV series. Confrontations, harsh truths and even harder reality come to bear on all who seek the Philosopher’s Stone. For many long, hard years Ed and Al have been looking for it, and now…they have it. The end begins with Ed confronting Scar. Warped by his hatred and desire for revenge, Scar has decided to go to the most extreme lengths possible to have his vengeance on the military. He has chosen to make a Philosopher’s Stone knowing full well the cost in human lives. Ed will try his all to stop Scar’s plan while the various Homunculus, fracturing from within due to their competing agendas, will do everything they can to see Scar’s hateful wish become reality. The outcome will change everything for everyone and set the path for one of the most astonishing finales in all of anime. The military changes tact and those in control send the soldiers after the Elric brothers. Now fugitives, they will discover the ultimate horror and tragedy of the Homunculi and what lies beyond the Gate of Truth. In possession of the stone all seek, the brothers will prove their devotion to each other in their efforts to halt this heinous act from ever being repeated and save each other. Rarely has an anime been so moving, so epic, so tightly woven and powerfully told to leave such a lasting impression on the viewer. Fullmetal Alchemist achieves all this and more. The animation is as incredible and astounding as ever in these final scenes, and final moments, between the varying characters, Ed confronts Scar, Al must face the psychotic Kimbley, Lust, Wrath, Sloth, many of these Homunculi battle others or face ach other in fights where only one can walk away, if even that. Meanwhile upon learning the truth about who in the military has been yanking his strings and planning a repeat of the horrors of Ishbal upon Lior, Roy plans his own move against the very state he has so loyally served at great cost. He faces the Homunculi Pride in a battle where survival is unlikely and a very personal stake is at hand: to avenge his friend and comrade Hughes. In the end, it is Ed and Al battling the remaining Homunculi and their master in a bid to save their world and each other that is done with masterful storytelling and striking visuals. The last three episodes of this box set are an experience in heightened suspense, high emotions and a gripping finale that will pierce the heart of every viewer. Tragic, beautiful, lined with such rare hope, Fullmetal Alchemist has proven to be a mastery of animated storytelling at its finest. With this being the end of one of the most phenomenal TV series in anime, you’ll want to run and get your copy of the movie – The Conqueror of Shambala. It is set after the TV series and wraps up the remaining questions TV viewers may have and holds the final outcome of the brothers’ quest. EXTRAS:
The final box set continues in the tradition of the rest with its striking box art. DVD bonus features include production art, image gallery, clean opening and ending animation, FUNimation trailers, character profiles, an inside look featuring video interviews revealing the thoughts and reflections of many of the English cast and the ADR directors, and there is also commentary on the final episode with Mike McFarland (ADR Director/ADR Adaptive Script Writer/voice of Havoc) and Colleen Clinkenbeard (ADR Director/voice of Riza Hawkeye and Rose). The box set is has a glossy hard slip case with more great art work. Within are two different things. First is a fold out that holds the disc. This is in shining gold foil on the inside with the discs coolly detailed with alchemist symbols while the outside of the box holds glossy splash art. The other box within the slip case is a silver foil box with an alchemist mark that holds the final three Fullmetal Alchemist Guidebooks for the series. Each book is about twenty pages each, done with hard card page stock and in full color. Inside are commentaries by Ryutaro Okiayu (Scar), Mayumi Yamaguchi (Envy), and a special commentary on the final booklet by the English cast and crew including Mike McFarland (ADR Director/ADR Adaptive Script Writer/voice of Havoc) and Colleen Clinkenbeard (ADR Director/voice of Riza Hawkeye and Rose). The books also have a look at the settings, the story, and the characters in the anime with accompanying full color images from the anime as well as design art and black and white sketches and amazing full color splash pages. The guides also include episode summaries. But don’t read the guidebooks until after you’ve seen the episodes as they do hold some spoilers. IN SUMMARY:
With the astonishing climax, Fullmetal Alchemist proves itself to be one of the most phenomenal anime ever.
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