Knights of the Zodiac (2023)

Good Action Bad Writing

LIKES:
Sets and location selection.
Music/sounds were fitting and never overpowered the actors/actresses.
Wardrobe for the most part was good (see dislikes for clarification).
Hair and makeup was good.
FX: certain aspects were well done, (see dislikes for the bad parts). I loved the opening sequence of showing the golden armour.
Fight sequences were performed well, some parts reminded me of Mortal Kombat and video games. Mark Dacascos was a standout as usual and same with Mackenyu.

DISLIKES:
FX:
CGI was very noticeable, especially in the car sequences and flying machine parts. Digital effects weren’t as spectacular as I had hoped and expected of a 2023 movie.
Wardrobe: the armour of the Knights (Mackenyu & Diego Tinoco) looked very cheesy, as if there was no budget left for that. Same with the bad guy minion armour; like it’s a rip off or recycled from Robocop or some other show.
Production:
Choppy editing, colour palette for the bad guys very muted and same with the Knights, only giving us colour variations for their Energy force aka Cosmos.
Wardrobe:
the Knight’s armour was laughably bad;
Writing:
The movie expects everyone knows the background information (from the manga or anime). I do, but others would be lost if they don’t. The movie skips over a lot of important details for Seiya, even though they tried putting it into his past memories. Without that foundation, I don’t know if sequels will be made, unless they backtrack to develop it all better. Also Guaad’s second in command (Diego Tinoco)’s backstory is left out completely.
I missed the depth given about Greek myths and destiny like we got in the anime, because it was very downplayed and the impact wasn’t there. Even the connection between Athena and her Knights or Sienna and Seiya, was under delivered. This wasn’t due to bad acting, but bad script.
They created a plot using ideas from the 2019 Netflix CGI/animation show, not the original manga.

OVERALL:
Reminds me of the recent failed attempts at film makers have had while making live action from manga or anime stories (Full Metal Alchemist, Devilman, Dragon Ball: Evolution, Attack On Titan, Black Buttler, etc). It’s an okay watch and the cast did the best they could with what was given. The story is a little too complex to tell within the time frame of a movie, it would’ve been better as a TV series. As a fan of Mackenyu I thank him and the director for giving us enough of his visual appeal. He obviously worked hard in a gym to get to that point. Fans of the original 1980s anime, might be disappointed. I recommend it for the fights, but not if you expect a well executed plot. I don't need to watch it again.





************SPOILER ALERT************************


Felt like they ripped off the Wolverine moment when he goes to save Gene Grey, to show Seiya coming to save Sienna.

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poor story & dialogues

what to say …. this movie was such a disappointment! I wanted to live this movie as knights of the zodiac was a big part of my childhood. Mark Dacascos & Mackenyu were well casted but can’t say the same for the rest of the cast. Costumes don’t make justice to the anime at all and the special effects are low quality and we don’t realize the power nor the increase of power of Pegasus.

Now, the plot … they massacred the story. It doesnt make sense, they tried to summarize so many things and missed the whole point of the knights of the zodiac purpose. I don’t know if they tried to copy marvel sense of humour, but this whole “I’m a goddess” jokes weren’t funny and rather made the character of Athena look like a pretentious little girl.

This was a miss. I hope that if they continue the serie, the director & script writer will change. Otherwise, it will be a waste of time & money and will also stain actors credibility.

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