8/26/2015 - 7:50 PM - GMT+8
By: Seth Legaspi
After seeing all the negative criticism and press, along with some recommendations not to watch the Attack on Titan (JP site here) movie from some friends, the scientist, and the anime fan in me, spurred me to verify such claims, thus I decided to watch the movie.
I don’t really make reviews on movies like this, but after watching the movie, I believe that I simply must write about it to do it some justice.
First of all, I must say that I am very disappointed with the negative criticisms of the movie that I encountered on the Internet, though I have to admit that I shouldn't be surprised by such things, but the amount that I encountered simply leaves me utterly disappointed. Due to said criticisms, my expectations were pretty low, and I prepared myself the same as how I prepared before I watched the latest Fantastic 4 movie. With these low expectations however, the Attack on Titan movie simply smashed through my wall of expectation.(Yes, that's a pun)
What the critics did get right though, is the splendor of the Titans. Seeing the titans in the movie, I got the same creeping feeling my skin when I watched its anime version. It was unsettling, disturbing, and with the actions that the Titans did, the way they ate the people, it was disgusting, yet glorious. It was like I was hit by shock and awe.
My general thoughts on the movie itself, is that it is actually really decent, great even! With the amount of action, and the plot twists, as well as the emotions that are evoked (mostly from Eren), the movie kept me on the edge of my seat watching through the entire thing, it even kept me awake despite the very late time-slot I picked to watch the show on.
The amount of action is self-explanatory with the movie's theme, it's even to be expected. With this aspect, the movie does not disappoint, the titan's gluttony secure this element of the movie, with the discussion parts of the movie acting as a suspense, a silence before the battle kind of thing due to the known nature of the titans. Following this is the graphics of the movie, the ones shown in one of the movie's trailers,shows a disheartening background graphics during the 'flight' of one of the characters, with the action happening during such scenes, said background is not very noticeable, thus the immersion isn't broken as much. The camera angles even help with any limitations in the graphics, such as when people are eaten, or when people are picked up by the titans.
The trailer that 'disappointed' in regards to graphics
The plot twists, now this is what I believe made those negative reviews. Note; the movie is different from its anime, and manga versions. The movie already gives a hint of the difference at its beginning, with the presentation of a bomb, and later on a dialogue about a large explosion outside making said outside dangerous to humans (nuclear anyone?). The movie also makes a plot twist on everyone's favorite heroine, Mikasa, and I won't write down any spoilers, but what happens to her is what I believe turned most people off, though in my opinion, I believe that this feeling, this "disappointing" and cringing feeling is what exactly mirrors Eren's emotions in the movie with regards to Mikasa.
For the emotions, the actors and actresses are really good. Their expressions really helped, I felt that helplessness, Mikasa's character faced a titan, with her character's very subtle shaking, as well as Eren's facial expressions as he tries to help her. The movie's plot even helped with this, showing how the members of the Scouting Legion act throughout the movie.
This movie, however, is still part 1; after the credits roll on the movie's main cast, it then shows a preview detailing the next movie, 'Attack on Titan - End of the World'. This means that with how the movie went, my expectations for the next one will be higher. With the movie not being faithful to its other versions, I expect a part 2 that goes beyond, and explain more this new 'dimension' that the movie disclosed.
I recommend this for the fans of Attack on Titan's anime and manga, as well as some newcomers into the series. However, I do not recommend this for those who are looking for a faithful adaptation of the two other versions, since it is really different.
As a last word in, since I'm really annoyed by what people said about the movie on the Internet, this live action film is really good. It's not as terrible as what people say, in fact, my dad, who was with me, is one who usually falls asleep during such movies, but for this one, he didn't fall asleep at all! That's sort of a miracle in my opinion... Jokes aside, I guess what I would like to put out there, is that one should actually verify things for themselves, before fully believing what others say about these things.
My Rating: (6/10)
P.S. To the Critics and people who commented on that 'awkward sex scene'... What awkward sex scene? There was only a kissing scene, and there was a good build up to it! Given a desperate and hopeless situation, and a lover's couple that is given a brief respite on the battlefield... Heck, this even adds to the drama of the situation!
Disclaimer: All images and videos shown in this article are not mine
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