Despite its impressive visuals, the ambitious live-action adaptation of Saint Seiya falls short due to a weak script. Scroll down to watch movie.
Plot
In a tale where a goddess of war inhabits the form of a young girl, Seiya, a street orphan, embarks on a journey to become a Knight of the Zodiac, confronting his own history while fulfilling his destiny to protect her and save the world.
Review
Despite the success of anime adaptations in Japan, many live-action attempts in Hollywood have fallen short, exemplified by films like Ghost in the Shell, Dragon Ball Evolution, and Death Note, where the right balance between ambition and execution was lacking. Sony's Knights of the Zodiac, an ambitious endeavor to bring the Saint Seiya anime to life, showcases impressive visuals and recognizable actors but ultimately squanders its potential due to a bland screenplay that barely explores the vast mythology of the long-running manga and anime series.
Knights of the Zodiac, the first live-action adaptation of the expansive Saint Seiya franchise, attempts to streamline the intricate storylines of the anime and manga into a digestible origin story. Despite being highly anticipated internationally, the film falls short of its potential. The dialogue feels tedious and mismatched with the abilities and presence of the actors, although the fight sequences, choreographed by Andy Cheng, showcase a balance of ethereal power and animated flair. While the film excels in martial arts and battles, it falters during exposition-heavy moments and struggles to overcome weak dialogue. Knights of the Zodiac incorporates references to Greek deities and introduces its own term for powers, but it fails to reach the suspension of disbelief offered by Marvel and DC adaptations.
The cast members invest in the silliness of the material, with varying degrees of success. Mackenyu delivers a decent performance as the lead character, Seiya, but his line delivery often lacks energy. Madison Iseman brings more enthusiasm to her role as Sienna/Athena, but her character is often limited to convulsing or wearing exaggerated wigs. Nick Stahl, playing a secondary villain, has wasted screen time, while Diego Tinoco, the intended primary antagonist, delivers laughable lines. Among the veteran performers, Sean Bean's role is primarily for exposition, and Mark Dacascos is underused. Famke Janssen stands out as the villain, Guraad, who receives a complete character arc.
Directed by Tomek Baginski, known for animated shorts and video game intros, the film visually resembles a cutscene from a PlayStation video game. The extensive use of green screen is apparent in the final act, undermining the intended set-piece. While the special effects enhance training scenes and dream sequences, they become excessive in the finale, overshadowing the action. The cinematography by Tomasz Naumiuk replicates the slow-motion and sharp angles of anime films but suffers from overuse throughout the film's lengthy runtime. The music by Yoshihiro Ike, although occasionally stirring, feels out of place at times, drowning out dialogue and disrupting the rhythm. Despite setting up future sequels, Knights of the Zodiac fails to establish its own heart, appearing as a compromise aimed at launching a franchise that may not materialize.
In conclusion, Knights of the Zodiac does not fully capitalize on the vast potential of the Saint Seiya source material, despite a committed cast and an adequate budget. While the fight sequences are well-executed and the initial special effects are impressive, the film lacks the necessary energy and charisma from its main characters. When the villain outshines the hero, it becomes evident that the story is in trouble. The film would have benefited from embracing its animated epic nature, akin to the Wachowskis' Speed Racer, or adopting a grittier approach like Robert Rodriguez's Alita Battle Angel. Ultimately, Knights of the Zodiac feels like a compromised effort to kickstart a franchise that appears unlikely to come to fruition.