Full Metal Alchemist Vol.8 - The Altar Of Stone (DVD)

Advantages: Brilliant concept and story line
Disadvantages: The animation isn't really the best I have seen

...Introduction: The Full Metal Alchemist is a show about people that can change matter of different objects, rearrange this matter and make something completely different, this is the science of alchemy. The show is based on the law of equivalent exchange which states... "Human kind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return, to obtain something, something of equal value must be lost." The Full Metal Alchemist was origionally a Japanese show which has been dubbed in English. Usually dubbing of Japanese TV shows and video games are terrible with over eggsagerated speech and voices you wouldn't necessarilly put with the characters, but I am pleased to say that this series has got the dubbing perfect, with believable voices and enough emotion to not be over the top. The story is about a young prodigy of Alchemy... Read review

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Advantages: Acting, sets and special effects.
Disadvantages: Where did the end go???

...◊^^^Synopsis^^^◊ Full Metal Jacket is Stanley Kubrick?s painful depiction of the lives of new marine trainees as they go through training, graduate and finally end up in Vietnam. A large proportion of the film focuses on the harsh and inhumane training designed to dehumanize people and turn them into, with the help of the demoralising D.I (Lee Ermey), into indestructible killers for the benefit of the United States, men without fear. The D.I?s treatment to the trainee?s is so brutal that some can?t take anymore of the mental hardship. Whilst exploring both the physical and mental suffering of marine trainees the films main focus is on one man, ?Joker? (Matthew Modine). After graduation most of the new marines end up in Vietnam and then the film takes a more direct view point as it follows Joker as he is released into... Read review

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Advantages: Very funny, emotional storyline (to the point of tear-inducing), very cool soundtrack (if you like J-Pop/Rock)
Disadvantages: Suffers the same fatal flaw as all anime in Europe: expensive to purchase entire season

...It was a good friend of mine who introduced me to the joys of Full Metal Alchemist (FMA). He and I are both big fans of Japanese anime and have a hefty selection of DVDs and Manga (comic books), and it was on a bright summers day when he invited me over to watch this "cool new series that's better than any anime I've ever seen!" Obviously, I was sceptical. Best anime ever? Better than Spirited Away? Better than Naruto? SURELY not better than Akira?! But, happy to have an excuse to sit in front of the TV all day watching cartoons, I accepted his offer and I took my first step into the wacky world of FMA. Two days later I left his house with probably the most stupid grin that has ever adorned my face, clapping my hands together and "transmuting" lampposts, the floor, my arm, anything that reminded me of the anime that had swallowed up... Read review

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