Jan 14, 2023
Just got back from watching this at the local cinema. I have to say that the movie is wasted potential. The set up in the beginning was quite intriguing and the obvious showdown between the new Kijin and Geld was something to anticipate. However, by the half hour mark, things were clearly advancing far too quickly and there wasn't any villainous buildup. So much could have been done if there had been more time. But since it's a non-canonical movie, I know they can't do any actual character building.
TL;DR - Beautiful graphics ruined by rushed and flawed story. Watch for fight scenes, not story.
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Opinion Time!
Pros:
1) Graphics were beautiful.
2) VA did well despite the poor writing.
3) Music was enjoyable.
4) References to other events were funny to those who know the series. So, anyone thinking they can jump into this without watching previous stuff will be disappointed.
5) Character interactions are enjoyable when they aren't info dumps.
6) Diablo has an actual fight scene. Short but still more fight time than the canon so far.
Cons:
1) Wasted story potential between Hiiro & Geld. So much more could have been done to have those two come to terms. Hiiro and his grief. Geld and his guilt. They simply fight, Benimaru shows up, fight ends, and Hiiro suddenly stops hating Orcs. And no one in the gang questions Geld why he was about to let Hiiro kill him.
2) Villains aren't villainous. Obvious villains are obvious. Spoiler warning. By the time Rimuru meets Queen Towa, it's obvious that the doctor isn't treating her. The camera lingers on him too much. Then Lacua is set up as the obvious malicious villain working for someone else. That higher up is the non-canonical Violet, another Primordial demon like Diablo, who is involved because of some contract she made centuries ago. That's pretty much the most believable motive - immortal demon screwing around with humans and curses to have a few centuries' worth of entertainment. Lacua & doctor - really made no sense. You can't feel satisfaction at their defeat because you don't care about them.
3) Rimuru & co. solve things too easily or inconsistently. The initial helping hand in dealing with poison is fine. We've seen Rimuru do more already and there's the problem. I find fault in the parts revolving around communication or movement as related to the plot. Raja is attacked by anonymous neighbor, so why isn't Soei or another messenger teleported immediately to let them know Rimuru is coming with help. Wait for him. If they did that, the evil plot cannot progress. So, Rimuru, despite having telepathy, teleportation, and omni-present Soei, doesn't send a message. Then, when he knows the Queen's life is in danger, he and the gang run at "normal" human pace instead of their usual superhuman zooms. Ranga is literally strolling through a cellar sniffing for the scent.
And since the villains, excepting Violet, are so weak, you get the impression Rimuru doesn't even find this hard to deal with. Rimuru has always been overpowered compared to his opposition, but there's always something challenging him beyond mere power. Politics, unknown enemies, his ignorance of things, or in Hinata's case, an enemy who could actually destroy him. So, instead of a satisfying all-out fight, you get a fight where Rimuru is definitely holding back.
4) Ending - Contrived to ensure happy ending for the good guys.
5) Needs more Gobta.
6) Veldora & Milim have "play time" in Tempest and we didn't get to see it. Rigurd & Rigur tried to stop them. Sounds like a better fight scene (and movie idea) than most in this movie.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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