GORE IN THE STORE
REVIEWS BY FANS FOR FANS
5 STAR FAB - 1 STAR RUBBISH

The Hole
Outcast
Outcast
(Second Opinion)
Choose
Resident Evil: Afterlife
Mirrors 2
Puppet Master - Axis of Evil
Deadly Crossing
Death Race 2
The Last Exorcism
The Last Exorcism
(Second Opinion)
The Expendables
The Chatroom
The Garbage Pail Kids Movie
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Splice
Peeping Tom - Re-issue
A Town Called Panic
A Nightmare On Elm Street
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2
Night of the Demons
Lawnmower Man (Blu-ray)
Siege of the Dead
Psych 9
Big Tits Zombie
Exquisite Corpse
The Collector
The Collector
(Second Opinion)
The Tortured
Zombies of Mass Destruction
Tears For Sale
Higanjima: Escape From
Vampire Island
I Spit On YOur Grave (1978)
Twelve (XII)
Dead Cert
[REC] 2
Mother
Killer Pad
Rin – Daughters of Mnemosyne
Death Tube
Death Tube
(Second Opinion)
7 Days
Death Note
Beyond The Rave
Hunter Prey
7th Dimension
Army of the Dead
Splintered
Basement
Meat Grinder
14 Blades
Manson Girl
The Blackout
The Torment
The Torment
(Second Opinion)
Hierro
Psycho - Blu-Ray
Pet Shop of Horrors
Kaiji:
The Ultimate Gambler
Shelter
Fullmetal Alchemist:
Brotherhood Part 1
The Final
Bubba Ho Tep - Blu-Ray
Picnic at Hanging Rock
Vampire
The Dead
Resurrecting
The Street Walker
The Haunting Of
Molly Hartley
Soul Eater: Part One
Rozen Maiden:
Traumend Vol. One
Bikini Girls On Ice
Diary of a Bad Lad
Satan's Baby Doll
Feast 111
Phobia
A Lizard in a Woman's Skin
Valhalla Rising
City of the Living Dead
Dorothy
Daybreakers
Daybreakers
(Second Opinion)
Harpoon: The Reykjavik Whale
Watching Massacre
Harpoon:The Reykjavik Whale
Watching Massacre
(Second Opinion)
Feast 3:The Happy Finnish
Raging Phoenix
His Name Was Jason
Left Bank
Ju-On: White Ghost/White Ghost
Spiral
Ghost Machine
Stag Night
Bitch Slap
The Descent 2
The Descent 2-Second opinion
Dance of The Dead
Henry Lee Lucas: Serial Killer
House Of The Devil
The Twilight Saga
New Moon
Salvage
Salvage-Second opinion
Dread
The Haunted World of
El Superbeasto
Saw VI
The Horseman
Triangle-Second opinion
Triangle
Cabin Fever 2-Third opinion
Cabin Fever 2-Second opinion
Cabin Fever 2
Stan Helsing
Pandorum
Pandorum-Second opinion
Open Graves
Paranormal Activity
Growth
Growth-Second opinion
Train
Antichrist
Wrong Turn 3
Coffin Rock
Orphan
Sorority Row
Drag Me to Hell
Staunton Hill
Summer Moon
Driftwood
Messengers 2

 

DVD/Blu-ray – Manga Ent. – 23rd Aug 2010 – Blu-ray: £34.99, DVD: £24.99(Directed by Yasuhiro Irie / Anime / Cert. 15)

Although the first Fullmetal Alchemist anime, which first aired back in 2003, was a major hit with both Japanese and Western audiences, quite a few viewers were annoyed by its somewhat… um… pragmatic adaptation of the original manga. So when Studio Bones announced that Yasuhiro Irie was to direct a much more faithful reboot named Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, fandom rejoiced.

Now the first 13 instalments of the 64-episode series have made their way on to Region 2 DVD and Blu-ray courtesy of Manga Entertainment, and we get to find out whether Brotherhood actually cuts the mustard. Before we do so, however, it’s worth giving a spot of background for anyone who didn’t catch the first Fullmetal Alchemist.

Set in the fantasy nation of Amestris – a militaristic state where magic rubs shoulders with 1900s level tech – the story follows brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, whose attempt to bring their mother back to life with alchemy backfires horrifically, costing Ed a couple of limbs and leaving Al’s disembodied soul bound to a suit of armour.

Once Ed has been fitted with weaponised prostheses known as automail, he and his brother set out to discover the secret of the Philosopher's Stone so they can undo their mistakes and recover Al’s body. Along the way, however, they uncover dark secrets, stumble upon sinister conspiracies and generally get into an awful lot of fights.

If the first 13 episodes are anything to go by, all of this happens at a breakneck pace in Brotherhood; presumably so that Fullmetal Alchemist veterans aren’t bored by what is essentially retreading old ground. Generally, this is all to the good – I felt the first anime series dragged at times – although the first couple of episodes are overstuffed with foreshadowing and character introductions.

In any case, I suspect that Brotherhood will slow its gallop through the storyline to a steady canter when we reach those parts of the original story that the 2003 series skipped or heavily adapted. Speaking of which, those fans who wanted an anime close to the Fullmetal Alchemist manga certainly won’t be disappointed – some of the early scenes follow the source material practically panel-for-panel.

When it comes to visuals Brotherhood has the edge on its predecessor, which was itself a rather good-looking series. Higher production standards are present throughout and although the characters are quite simply drawn – and frequently super-deformed for comic effect – the artists pack in a lot of detail when it’s required. The action scenes are also excellent, with fights slickly animated and garnished with a healthy dose of bloody violence. Artistically, Brotherhood may not be as inventive as Soul Edge or as stunning as Strike Witches, but it’s definitely in the premier league.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is well worth checking out whether you’re a fan of the old series or not – in fact, the series is a pretty good gateway title for people who may not have seen much (if any) anime, with its interesting setting, cast of colourful characters and well-animated action scenes. Part 1 is not without its flaws, especially in the first few episodes, but soon hits its stride with promise of even better to come.

Special features: English 5.1 Surround and Japanese 2.0 with subs; Episode 1 commentary; Episode 10 commentary; textless opening and closing.

Dave Axbey

© London FrightFest Ltd. 2000-2010
__________________________________________________________