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Like the previous three
Inu-Yasha features,
Fire on the Mystic Island (2004) pits the cast of Rumiko Takahashi's "feudal fairy tale" against new foes, unrelated to the tale of the Shikon Jewel. This time, it's the Four War Gods, powerful demons on the island of Houraijima, who preserve and augment their power by sacrificing half-demon children. Director Toshiya Shinohara uses lots of CG effects in the endless fights: explosions, lightning bolts, fire bombs, poisonous insects. But the visual glitz can't disguise that
Fire on Mystic Island is the weakest of the features. The War Gods are standard-issue villains whose demise is a forgone conclusion. Inu-Yasha's half-brother Sesshomaru walks into the film, slays one of the War Gods, and walks out. Introducing a replica of Kikyo feels like a desperate attempt to introduce some emotion into a faltering plot. Kagome and Inu-Yasha once again combine forces to defeat the most powerful demon, but the film lacks the strong character relationships that give the series much of its charm.
Inu-Yasha fans may want
Fire on the Mystic Island to complete their collections, but they'll look in vain for the visual beauty of
Affections Touching Across Time, the warmth of
Castle Beyond the Looking Glass, and the passion of
Swords of an Honorable Ruler. (Unrated, suitable for ages 13 and older: violence, grotesque imagery, brief nudity)
--Charles Solomon
Product Description
Within the dark recesses of Horai Island, a group of half-demons lives under the demonic rule of the Four War Gods. Escaping with barely a shred of hope, Ai, the youngest of the half-demons, returns to the island with Inuyasha, who must face not only the Four War Gods, but the past he left behind on the island fifty years ago.