22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is an amazing anime series. *no spoilers*, July 2, 2005
This review is from: Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 4: The Fall of Ishbal (Episodes 13-16) (DVD)
Funimation has done a great job with the dub and done very little censoring.
The voice actors are fabulous, something that has not happened too often with dubbed anime.
The packaging is GREAT! I love the information books that come with the DVD. They have helped me addict MANY more people to the LOVE that is Fullmetal Alchemist.
I'm not going to give a plot summary, because you can get it on the [adult swim] page, or any other anime page...that and Episode Spoilers STINK!
The vaguely European/German/Russian setting is great, the soundtrack recorded by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra is VERY moving...the motif of Bratja just breaks my heart. (I am VERY glad that I got the Volume 1 boxed set combo with tin/soundtrack.)
I've even gotten the redneck neighbor and my 70 year old father interested in this stuff...it has mass apeal and excellent production values. They were VERY careful about plot holes and continuity.
Re-watch these a LOT and watch with sub-titles as well. You will get many subtle details/hints that they drop throughout the series in backgrounds, street signs...seemingly non-important things. Just those small details that change it from a "kids' cartoon" to something deeper and much more enjoyable for the thinking person.
*Although now it has me googling old alchemists/physicists.*
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Touching Turning Point, September 30, 2005
This review is from: Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 4: The Fall of Ishbal (Episodes 13-16) (DVD)
I love this series, the characters are strong but real, while at times they act on impulse sometimes they make choices that are human. Some choices are mature, this fits the Ed and Al, they are that way because they have had to be independent from a young age. The voice of youth still lives with them and that is most evident in episode 13 "Fullmetal vs. Flame" which I found to be a humerous episode that also gives a hint to the dark past of the army's involvement in the eastern rebellion. This is the main theme throughout this volume you begin to understand the mysterious past, and the situation of the present becomes clearer. I also found episodes 15 "The Ishbal Massacre" and 16 "That Which is Lost" rather touching because you see the brothers very close bond with each other and how they use each other for their strength. You also get a glimpse into the life of a war veteran, and what he has to say is rather touching and meaningful.This volume is a must for the series the only thing is that to know what happens next you must purchase Volume 5 "The cost of Living"
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best of the best, February 5, 2007
This review is from: Fullmetal Alchemist, Volume 4: The Fall of Ishbal (Episodes 13-16) (DVD)
I am not a spring chicken, so I get introduced to anime through my daughter. Some of it is fluffy love stories or improbable characters or situations that appear from nowhere to solve the day. Full Metal is none of these. The characters are believable even when they are a talking metal suit of armor. Ed and Al are young boys. Their mother dies. They desparately want her back. They do something forbidden. They pay. And they learn what the costs are. The world is a confusing place. They navigate, sometimes on their own and sometimes with people who they meet along the way. Not everyone is who they seem at the start. Finally they confront the costs of their and other peoples violations of the rules. Through the story there is humor and growth. The story is told from their point of view. They do not give in to the tragedies that surround them and keep fighting for the truth and for each other. I highly recommend this series for young teens and old fogies (that's me). Much better than most things available for teens these days. I rank this up with Dante and Faust as literature about pacts made by people not understanding the full consequences of their actions fighting to restore the balance of their lives.
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