The tone of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood darkens as it passes its halfway point. The filmmakers expose more of the sinister plans of the Homunculi's "father": an unnamed character appears who looks exactly like Hohenheim, but who commands even greater powers. Using a Philosopher's Stone, this thaumaturge turns Prince Ling Yao of Xing into a new Greed; Ling is so hungry for power, he welcomes the transformation. Ed and Al learn that the Alkahestry of Xing operates in ways Amestrian alchemy doesn't, opening the possibility of regaining their original bodies without using the evil Stone. But they need Scar, Dr. Marcoh, and May Chang to decipher the research Scar's brother pursued in Ishbal, which means keeping the trio of fugitives out of the hands of Fuhrer Bradley and the Homunculi. When the action shifts to Ft. Briggs in the northern wilds of Amestris, the Elrics' plans are complicated by the appearance of the Homunculus Sloth and Bradley's sadistic agent Kimblee, the Crimson Alchemist. Ed discovers the staggering scale of the Homunculi's plot: the entire country of Amestris was created to form a gargantuan, murderous transmutation circle. The Elrics and their friends strive to foil the deadly game being played by Hohenheim's doppelganger. The plot of Brotherhood follows the original manga so closely that much of the dialogue is taken verbatim, and the filmmakers seem to have used some of the panels as storyboards. (These episodes encompass volumes 14 through 18.) If many aspects of the story are more unsettling, they're also more satisfying, as the artists pull no punches, whether conveying the horrors of the Ishbalan War (spelled "Ishvalan" in the subtitles) or the humor of Lt. Hawkeye needling Ed for refusing to admit he's in love with Winrey. (Rated TV PG: violence, grotesque imagery, brief nudity, tobacco and alcohol use) --Charles Solomon (27. Interlude Party, 28. Father, 29. Struggle of the Fool, 30. The Ishvalan War of Extermination, 31. The 520 Cens Promise, 32. The Fuhrer's Son, 33. The Northern Wall of Briggs, 24. Ice Queen, 35. The Shape of This Country, 36. Family Portrait, 37. The First Homunculus, 38. Conflict at Baschool, 39. Daydream)
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