Director Yasuhiro Irie and his artists pull out all the stops as Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood comes to its appropriately dramatic and moving conclusion. The Elric Brothers and their allies--Von Hohenheim, Roy Mustang, Scar, Izumi, the Armstrongs, May Chang, and Ling Yao/Greed--strive to thwart the machinations of the "father" of the Homunculi and his remaining minions: Pride, Wrath, Sloth, Envy, and the zombies of the Mannequin Army. During the solar eclipse on the Promised Day, Father plans to usurp the power of God. Can even the most skilled alchemists stop him? The climactic battles are as wrenching as they are spectacular: some of the fight scenes feature flashy CG effects that rival Hideaki Anno's newer Evangelion movies. But the emotional impact overshadows the visuals, as each of the main characters rises to the challenges they face. Edward and Alphonse discover just how much they're willing to sacrifice for each other. Mustang avenges Colonel Hughes's death and destroys Envy, but Ed and Lieutenant Hawkeye make him realize that his quest for vengeance threatens to destroy him. The initial Fullmetal Alchemist series, which was completed before manga artist Hiromu Arakawa had envisioned her story's outcome, ended with the setup for the feature The Conqueror of Shambala. Brotherhood, which closely follows the plot of the manga, reaches a much more satisfying and definitive conclusion. Saying good-bye to two of the most beloved characters in anime history may be the price viewers pay for an appropriate ending to their story--and an example of equivalent exchange. Although the adventures of Edward and Alphonse Elric seem to have ended, a new feature, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos, opened in Japan in July 2011. (Rated TV 14: violence, grotesque imagery, brief nudity, tobacco use) --Charles Solomon (53. Flame of Vengeance, 54. Beyond the Inferno, 55. The Adults' Way of Life, 56. The Return of the Fuhrer, 57. Eternal Leave, 58. Sacrifices, 59. Lost Light, 60. Eye of Heaven, Gateway of Earth, 61. He Who Would Swallow God, 62. A Fierce Counterattack, 63. The Other Side of the Gateway, 64. Journey's End)
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