The movie was initially supposed to be a mini series of 12 episodes. It was then knocked down to a trilogy of films, then a three hour film, then a 1h 45 minute film. If you watch the commentary, the filmmakers were unsure if they were going to get the movie at all. Why all the issues? Bones started production on Brotherhood and wanted to focus on that, leaving Shamballa to the wayside.

@MandukeReviews

5 ай бұрын

Oh nice. I did not know that!

Although the movie was a bit scatterbrained, it had a lot of really good moments, scenes, and characters that carried the movie for me.

@MandukeReviews

Жыл бұрын

I agree. Scatterbrained is a good description but lots of good little bits within.

There's definitely an intentional role reversal they did with the counterpart of each character. The counterpart of King Bradley, one of the primary antagonists of the show, responsible for the genocide of the Ishvalans, is instead Jewish, one of the people under persecution in our world. Meanwhile, the counterparts of Alphonse, Hughes and Rose, characters we've come to know and love, all end up cooperating with the Nazis in some way. The idea that there is a parallel world in which friendly and loving people are willing to allow atrocities for the sake of their own heart's desires... And consider the last thing Alfons tells Edward, that this parallel world is no different from the world he belonged to; it's just as real. Edward wonders during the movie what it's like for people who live their whole lives in a dream. Him and Al's dream of getting their bodies back was used by Dante to lead them to create the Philosopher's Stone, and Al's desire to see Edward again directly contributed to the goals of the Thule society. For the duration of the show (and for Al, the movie as well), Ed and Al were living in their dreams. At the end of the movie, they are ready to live on the rest of their lives awake in the real world, after the consequences of their actions finally dawned on them. I love how the parallel worlds are so thoroughly woven into the message of the story.

@MandukeReviews

Жыл бұрын

It ties back to one of my favorite scenes in show. If you achieve your dream, you will have to face new responsibility. In their case, they reached their goal but they were willing to push aside their needs if it meant hurting others.

Honestly, I was hoping that the bad guy from the prologue was going to be revealed as the mastermind behind everything and the woman was just his right hand, like an evil Hawkeye. Especially after that bomb was shown to Ed, I was thinking that this guy was living his best steampunk life somewhere in WWI Germany. Maybe he feels vindictive and wants to conquer alchemy with steam punk. I feel like as shallow of a motive that is, there is a legitimate struggle of being a visionary, but not being recognized in the setting you find yourself in. Ed lived that for like 3-4 years with his Dad in Germany so they could really relate. Added onto the fact, that Ed got his notoriety and fame from taking that guy down while in his failure, this guy also ended up with fame and glory. Their stories would share a common starting and ending point.

He's back

I didn't hate the film when I first saw it, was really surprised to learn about the backlash against it afterwards. 2003 FMA still remains my favorite version of FMA because of the strong characters and commitment to it's themes about loss and entropy.

@MandukeReviews

Жыл бұрын

I've always like the grounded themes and heavy emotions of the first series. I can understand some issues with this movie, but it's much better than the other FMA films I"ve seen. I also think it benefits from a rewatch.

@Edax_Royeaux

Жыл бұрын

@@MandukeReviews I sort of wish this film got a sequel as it ends open-ended for more adventures and it felt like it didn't have enough time to wrap everything up.

@MandukeReviews

Жыл бұрын

@@Edax_Royeaux After watching again I do think it had potential for sequels. It would have been interesting to see the combat the Nazis. Maybe two villains from both sides try to team up. Might have been limited with less alchemy.

By the way, thanks for making this series. You provided a lot of fun and intriguing insight with the series, far more, than the comment section I was seeing which I found to be very negative and overly critical.

@MandukeReviews

11 ай бұрын

I'm glad I was able to provide some additional fun and insight. I'm also glad the original anime is finding more people to continue to resonate with its story. Thank you for supporting the channel! Let me know if you'd like to see any more FMA or other related video essays, podcasts ect.

@JakeSmith-mq5dc

11 ай бұрын

@@MandukeReviews Well, I got to meet Ed's voice actor at my first convention like last month. The dude was super nice and had an infectious smile. He mentioned how one scene when Ed had a swollen face, he popped a doughnut from the vending machine into his mouth for the line.

@JakeSmith-mq5dc

11 ай бұрын

@@MandukeReviews My mistake, I thought you were asking for recommendations related to FMA so I offered an experience instead. As for content, I would love to see your take on how the Shambala movie could've been spread out over the course of a season as a what if to cap off the series. I totally wanted to see the original villain be the evil mastermind. His storied career would've started the same day as the Fullmetal Alchemist's did. And them meeting on essentially his turf where Ed is at a disadvantage and now knows the pain of being a ridiculed genius/ visionary like the villain felt at the start of the movie. I wonder how their dynamic would've shaped into? I also would love to hear your thoughts on the ova Kids. Where we get to see a 100 year old Ed being visited by his grandkids, who are mirror versions of Ed, Al, and Winry. Which implied he or (less likely Al) married this world's version of Winry. There were so many pictures on the wall as well that implies he's lived a very long and full life like the movie ending implied he would. I really like how he lived up to the (at the time) present day. I also had this concept of Mustang making an offer to use the transmutation circle to send Winry on a one way trip to where the boys are. She might pop out somewhere else if they already destroyed the circle on their end, but this could serve as an interesting redemption as Mustang would offer to exchange his life to reunite Winry with her family. The opposite of when he enticed the boys to leave and join the millitary, and killing her parents. BUT Winry at this point in the story. I could see could go either way. She could join them because the 3 really are a trio and belong together. Finally finding that happily ever after thanks to Mustang. Putting a nice bow on their dynamic as he redeems himself. plus, with her engineering knowledge being revolutionary in our world, especially during the World Wars. She would be more successful and respected than either brother. She could refuse the offer saying her loyalty can only go so far without it being reciprocated by them. The boys kept to themselves and constantly excluded her. This could be the straw that broke the camel's back. She isn't going to sacrifice every connection and everything she's built up to this point just to chase after them, again.

I remember watching this movie back then and didn’t think much of it. I see what the film was trying to do some ideas cool others wasn’t. I thought the film was ok

@MandukeReviews

Жыл бұрын

Hey Von! What's up? Yeah I didn't love the film when it first came out but it does have some cool ideas. I mostly think it's ok too.

Hey, did you see the ova fma kids? It showed an aged Ed in the 21st century, there were a ton of references, but I couldn't make out any of the obscure stuff, like what was on Ed's wall. But I feel there is a lot to dissect there. It makes me think that Ed got together with Winry or at least her double at some point in his life since his Great, Great Granddaughter was a Winry lookalike. Do you have any thoughts or theories from that ending?

Currently looking for a video that I crossed somewhere that said How Conqueror of Shambala should've ended. Thought you made it, but I can't find it.

@MandukeReviews

11 ай бұрын

I made a vid like that.

@MandukeReviews

11 ай бұрын

Did you find it?

@JakeSmith-mq5dc

11 ай бұрын

@@MandukeReviews Yeah, it took me a while tho

About envy its not necessarily a plot hole in the series when people are send into the gate they are not send in the same year hohenhime was send before first war ed was send the first time in 1919 and the second time in 1921 so i think envy was just send in 1923

@MandukeReviews

Жыл бұрын

Oh I see. You think there may have been a delay? Good point. I didn't think about that. Not sure they mentioned anything about it in the show. The other world didn't have much time to establish rules.

Yep it did

@MandukeReviews

Жыл бұрын

Indeed? Lol

@MandukeReviews

Жыл бұрын

Like Arnold lol

Do we have chess club tomorrow?

@MandukeReviews

Жыл бұрын

I believe so

@chunkymilk9107

Жыл бұрын

@@MandukeReviews Great, would you consider rating Vinland Saga?

@MandukeReviews

Жыл бұрын

@@chunkymilk9107 I love VInland Saga! Maybe I'll do a video about it.

@chunkymilk9107

Жыл бұрын

​@@MandukeReviews Please do, I would enjoy seeing it

@MandukeReviews

Жыл бұрын

@@chunkymilk9107 I'll try to get to it when I have the time.