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SCMP Reporter

Fullmetal Alchemist The Movie - Conqueror of Shamballa begins where the popular TV series ended.

The Elric brothers, who have lost their body parts after a failed attempt to revive their deceased mother through alchemy, face a new adventure that has plenty of action and magic in store.

But the new story is more gripping and gloomy because of its strong moral messages about war and human nature.

Directed by Seiji Mizushima, the action begins in 1920s Germany where Edward Elric is living with a rocket scientist and a beautiful gypsy girl Noah (right) after he is transported to the real world.

Younger brother Alphonse has no recollections of his memories and remains in Amestris, the world of alchemists.

The Elric brothers think they will never see each other again as the gateway between the two worlds is firmly shut.

But an opportunity comes as a secret organisation related to the Nazi party plans to conquer Shamballa, the legendary magic kingdom also known as Shangri-La.

Mistaking Amestris for Shamballa, the organisation kidnaps Noah, who possesses psychic powers and is about to open the gateway.

As the organisation's soldiers, aided by the inventions of the rocket scientist, pour into Amestris.

Edward teams up with Alphonse again to bring peace to his homeland.

Visually, Conqueror of Shamballa is no match for the other works of anime master Hayao Miyazaki such as Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away.

But it has a strong anti-war message to make up for its lack of artistic finesse and puts it above ordinary Japanese anime.

The scenes in which the monstrous air-fighters drop bombs on the citizens of Amestris and tear down buildings are powerful reminders of the horrors of war. The portrayal of ordinary Germans - blinded by nationalism and militarism - transforming into blood-thirsty killers sends chills down your spine.

To fans of Fullmetal Alchemist, the animation is a blessing. But to those new to the story, the film may seem as much a potent study of militarism as escapist entertainment.

The film opens today



Fullmetal Alchemist