“Knights of the Zodiac”, review: another mediocre adaptation of the legendary saga

During the first cut Knights of the Zodiac, written by Tomasz Bagiński, the screenplay dedicates an effort to sum up the saga from which it comes. From character ocher (Madison Isman), the incarnation of the goddess Athenaall the way to the sense of predestination from Masami Kurumada’s original manga.

The whole story goes through a fast track of unnecessary explanations meant not only for the fans, but also for the audience. Although effective at first – especially when detailing the dual divine nature of the protagonists – in the end it becomes an excessive burden on the story.

Of course, adapting such a work is not easy. original anime Knights of the Zodiac, aired in Japan from October 11, 1986 to April 1, 1989, consisted of three seasons with 114 episodes. They all tried to cover the story that Masami Kurumada made up, and only half succeeded. Therefore, the film had to not only rethink the story, stretching through realities, planes and all sorts of battles, but also simplify it.

Great failures Knights of the Zodiac

However, this fails. If anything is obvious about the plot, it is its difficulty in explaining the origin of what points to the franchise, and, moreover, in coherence. Again and again he depicts an alternate dimension of reality at the extremes of life. ocher And seiya (Arata Macanyu).

The latter, full of rage, bitterness and mistakes, almost from the first scenes appears as a tragic anti-hero. plot Knights of the Zodiac suggests that emotions lead a young person to a mission. Meanwhile, ocher he must face the splitting of the world as he knows it. But the narrative lacks the ability to keep both situations parallel.

At least in such a way that they seem to be connected by an invisible bond that stretches across places, dimensions and lives to bring them together almost metaphorically. Contrary to the narrative from which it comes, every circumstance in the film Knights of the Zodiac It seems to be a matter of chance. At best, a mysterious situation that does not deepen and which is not given real significance.

Fights for no reason and non-standard plot

Instead of, Knights of the Zodiac he insists that both will travel through a transcendent destiny of which they have no direction until mysterious forces push them against each other. The film does not make too much effort to give more depth to the mystical connection that will show the meaning of mysterious dreams. ocher.

Nor to the momentum of defense that seiya experience almost suddenly. While the story tries to give context to the extraordinary events surrounding the characters, it focuses on action. The film discards much of the mythology behind the story it came from and concentrates on vivid, impeccably choreographed fights. Gradually, the great secret of the conflict is revealed and, of course, the salvation of the world – and the goddess embodied in it. ocher– hidden danger.

However, Knights of the Zodiac it never compares to the excitement of the hero’s long journey that manga and anime have made into TV classics. Director Tomasz Bagiński limits himself to following the adventures, trips and upheavals of the main characters without adding character to the visuals.

For its part, the script, written by Josh Campbell, Blaz Dzikowski, Will Geiger, and Masami Kurumada himself, precludes exploring the complex world of the manga. Instead, lean towards the generic version. By the time Athena learns of her fate and what is being said about her, the plot has lost its individuality in favor of a simple conflict that degenerates into a flat, predictable ending.

Knights of the Zodiac doesn’t finish tying up your loose ends

Actually, Knights of the Zodiac it’s really hard for him to piece together the pieces of information that he half explains. The mystical and slightly esoteric dimension of his paper version is transformed into the perception of an inevitable battle. Sienna and Seiya must join an unusual team to save her life and move on to a bigger test. But everything is told so incoherently that the result is a chain of obstacles built to demonstrate the abilities of the main characters.

The film loses the opportunity to create an atmosphere that identifies it. During the appearance of the distinctive armor, the digital effects are so bad that they interfere with the plot. When it becomes clear that life ocher entails great sacrifice, the script avoids delving into motives. So the purpose of the knights who guard it is as incomprehensible as it is unimportant.

In the same time, Knights of the Zodiac makes the mistake of many other adaptations based on complex works. Support the narrative with cross-references that are not explained. The plot unfolds between half-revealed secrets and an increasingly insistent realization that Sienna must survive for the greater good. But why this is so is never fully revealed, at least not clearly.

Another failed adaptation

If there’s one thing missing from the film, it’s the emotional development of its characters. Especially when it comes to a saga that has been praised around the world for taking the time and interest to explore its protagonists. Upon his arrival on the big screen, he plunges into a fantastic adventure. More associated with a multi-movie epic than a standalone project.

In his disappointing ending Knights of the Zodiac it leaves the door open to continue without completing the story just told. Reality and the future are safe, but it is not clear how such a feat was achieved.