Knights of the Zodiac Movie: When a headstrong street orphan unwittingly taps into hidden powers, he discovers he might be the only person alive who can protect a reincarnated goddess who was sent to watch over humanity.Review…..Trailer…….
Live-action adaptations of anime have a bad reputation, much like wearing a Star Trek shirt at a Star Wars theme park. They often fail to capture the distinctive and exaggerated qualities that make anime enjoyable.Review…..Trailer….
Release date: April 28, 2023 (Japan)
Director: Tomasz Bagiński
Adapted from: Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac
Box office: $6.8 million
Music by: Yoshihiro Ike
Knights of the Zodiac Trailer
Knights of the Zodiac Movie Trailer:
Kurumada’s vibrant source material is diluted into a flavorless, noisy, and empty concoction.
Knights of the Zodiac Movie Review:
The writers of the adaptation introduce characters and concepts without establishing a clear foundation. The portrayal of Sienna as Athena’s reincarnation and Seiya’s role as her protector is evident, but the inclusion of random perils, supporting characters, and new challengers’ abilities lacks coherence.Review…..Trailer….
The story frustratingly relies on the vague concept of “Cosmo” as the source of everyone’s powers. Director Baginski fails to adequately explain this power, resulting in missed opportunities for effective exposition. Characters showcase new abilities without proper context, leaving Seiya and the audience confused about their significance.Review…..Trailer….
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For a supporting cast that includes Sean Bean and Famke Janssen, Knights of the Zodiac leaves little impact.
The supporting cast of Knights of the Zodiac, including familiar faces like Sean Bean as Alman Kido and Famke Janssen as the antagonist Guraad, fails to make a significant impact. However, Mark Dacascos stands out with his impressive swordplay as Alman’s right-hand, Mylock. On the other hand, Nick Stahl’s portrayal of fight club champion Cassios lacks the convincing ferocity it requires. Review…..Trailer….
The other characters are sidelined while Seiya trains with Marin, who wears a silver mask. This storyline feels like a weak imitation of Karate Kid, with levitation and thrown boulders added. When Seiya returns to the main plot for the finale, important details seem to have been missed, leaving the audience questioning the sudden transformation of Guraad’s henchman, Nero..Review…..Trailer….
Knights of the Zodiac Review
Knights of the Zodiac Movie Review:
Even visually, Knights of the Zodiac lacks inspiration. Guraad’s army of supersoldiers resembles rejected designs from the 2014 Robocop remake, and Seiya’s battle armor loses its appeal when transitioning from practical choreography to computer-generated models. Characters infused with Cosmo energy exhibit signature colors, such as Seiya’s blue wings and Sienna’s purple starburst, which occasionally add a touch of fantastical charm. Review…..Trailer….
However, these glimpses of potential are overshadowed by Seiya’s final battle, which feels like a cutscene from a mediocre mid-2000s video game, in stark contrast to the shorter yet more skillfully executed fights featuring Mylock. It falls far short when compared to visually stunning works like American Gods, which effortlessly exude style and flair.Review…..Trailer….
Verdict
Knights of the Zodiac fails to generate enough excitement to warrant anticipation for future sequels, leaving viewers feeling indifferent. It falls short in effectively introducing newcomers to Masami Kurumada’s imaginative world, as it fails to capture the essence of the manga creator’s vision. Director Tomasz Baginski succumbs to the pitfalls of over-animated blockbusters, resulting in a disjointed and unnatural experience.Review…..Trailer….
The film also suffers from being an underdeveloped franchise starter that prioritizes setting up future installments rather than delivering a compelling standalone beginning. Despite its focus on magical powers and divine entities, Knights of the Zodiac is like a lost voyage at sea, lacking any captivating allure.Review…..Trailer….