A few days after its premiere, members of the press and Mexican content creators finally had the opportunity to see last night The Knights of the Zodiac: Saint Seiya – The Beginning, Hollywood production based on the mythical manga by Masami Kurumada. And so, what do the first reactions say towards the live action of Knights of the Zodiac? If you’re a fan and it’s any consolation, at least it’s not as bad as dragon ball evolution.
This co-production between Toei and Sony Pictures is directed by Tomasz Bagiński and stars Mackenyu (Seiya), Madison Iseman (Sienna/Athena), Sean Bean (Alman Kiddo) and Famke Janssen (Guraad). The project also comes with the blessing of Kurumada himself.
Of course, the franchise is still hugely popular in Latin America, so it is not surprising that the producers have decided that we will be the first market in the world to enjoy this live actioneven a day before Japan and two weeks before the United States.
But will it be a debut and farewell for the live action version of Saint Seiya, or will it become a multi-film saga as Toei expects? Here the first reactions of the live action of Knights of the Zodiac:
Many times it is very nice to be a film journalist, watch a super cool movie and contribute your part so that more people see it.
And sometimes you have to see #Knights of the Zodiac.
— Lalo Ortega (@Lalo_OrtegaRios) April 25, 2023
Yesterday I saw #Knights of the Zodiac #Saint Seiya thanks to @SonyPicturesMX @Cinepolis and here is my opinion…
We all know from experience that live action anime movies suffer from the same thing, bad script, bad adaptation, bad character design etc, and this is one… pic.twitter.com/CraosMfOfl— @LuisValLe (@LuisValLe_A) April 25, 2023
I got to watch “Knights of the Zodiac: The Beginning” and thanks to Athena it’s not DB: Evolution quality.
It has good points, bad points, the dubbing is spectacular, things that address nostalgia and nonsense things.
Final grade: Silver Gojo.#KotZMovie #Saint Seiya pic.twitter.com/VsUeyeaNfb— CP6 (@CP6Podcast) April 25, 2023
You might also be interested: The Knights of the Zodiac: The Beginning – Trailer and everything about the live-action movie.
Well #Knights of the Zodiac If it’s really bad, I’ll just highlight some battle sequences and the first 40 minutes, then it becomes a generic gringo movie…
They can’t with the anime right? pic.twitter.com/MHCzt15WV9— Luis Prado (@_Luisro95) April 25, 2023
#Knights of the Zodiac It seems more like a confrontation between cosmic Samurai than the story we all know.
Terrible script and full of situations without narrative sense.
The only salvageable thing is the fight choreography when no powers are involved. pic.twitter.com/OFWudGGqvO—Edward🤠 (@eduardoavelarc) April 25, 2023
At least better than Dragonball: Evolution if it is 🤓✌️ #Knights of the Zodiac pic.twitter.com/NFLFOPKULX
— JiFi Twins 🍿🎬 #Suzume 🇲🇽 (@Que_Peks) April 25, 2023
I saw it already #Knights of the Zodiac thanks to @SonyPicturesMX
Let’s leave it that way pic.twitter.com/JAdv22XhjJ
— Don Tavi (@Tavisound) April 25, 2023
You might also be interested: The Knights of the Zodiac: What does Masami Kurumada think of Hollywood live-action?
I just came out to see #Knights of the Zodiac
This is a work focused on a new audience, let’s say it’s like a “what if…” in a different reality@SonyPicturesMX pic.twitter.com/tLjdPQi90b
— Ryuyin Ovi (@Ryuyin_Ovi) April 25, 2023
Yesterday I saw one of the worst movies I’ve seen in a long time at the cinema 🥲
— Gaby Meza – 🍿🌈 (@GabyMeza8) April 25, 2023
Finally, Fernando Salinas, from Level Upwrote the following in his review, where he points out that “not even the Sagittarius armor” saves this production from disaster:
“The Knights of the Zodiac: Saint Seiya – The Beginning suffers from the curse of adaptations. The changes are likely intended to appeal to new audiences and make it easier for Western fans to digest. It seems to me a bad decision because, if you are a fan at heart, you will notice the flaws from the first moment and not even your passion for the knights of Athena will be enough to last until the end.
Is anyone surprised by the first reactions of the live action of Knights of the Zodiac? The movie opens this April 27 in theaters in Mexico and the rest of Latin America.