During the first stretch of Knights of the Zodiac, by Tomasz Bagiński, the script devotes effort to summarizing the saga from which it comes. From the character of sienna (Madison Iseman), goddess incarnate Athenaright down to the sense of predestination from Masami Kurumada’s original manga.
The entire story goes through a fast path of unnecessary explanations, intended for an audience beyond the fans. Although it is effective at first -especially, when detailing the double divine nature of its protagonists-, in the end it is an excessive burden on the narrative.
Of course, adapting such a work is not easy. the original anime of Knights of the Zodiac, broadcast in Japan from October 11, 1986 to April 1, 1989, had three seasons of 114 episodes. They all tried to encompass the story envisioned by Masami Kurumada and only half succeeded. Therefore, the film had to not only reinvent the story —which extends through realities, planes and battles of different kinds—, but also simplify it.
Knights of the Zodiac
The live-action Knights of the Zodiac attempts to encapsulate the complex plot of the hit 1980s anime. But it fails to forget its fundamentals in favor of a simple, generic plot intended for a wider audience than its intended audience. fans. The script, instead of delving into the most iconic aspects of his story, creates an origin story for a charismatic anti-hero. The director, Tomasz Bagiński, opts for fight scenes and the hint of a great adventure. But the argument is superficial and advances through a disordered plot in which the obstacles lack explanation or meaning. For its predictable ending, the plot loses any identity in favor of a possible sequel.
The great failures of Knights of the Zodiac
However, it fails. If something is evident in the plot, it is its difficulty in explaining the origin of what points to a franchise and, furthermore, being coherent. Over and over again, he describes an alternate dimension of reality at the end of the life of sienna and seiya (Arata Mackenyu).
The latter, full of fury, bitterness and mistakes, is presented as a tragic anti-hero almost from the first scenes. the plot of Knights of the Zodiac suggests that emotions lead the young man to a mission. Meanwhile, sienna he must face the fracture of the world, as he knows it. But the narrative lacks the ability to hold both situations in parallel.
At least, so that they seem linked by an invisible bond that extends through places, dimensions and lives to unite them in an almost metaphorical way. Contrary to the narrative from which it proceeds, every circumstance in the film Knights of the Zodiac It seems the work of chance. In the best of cases, of an enigmatic situation that is not deepened and to which no real importance is given.
Fights for no reason and an irregular plot
Instead, Knights of the Zodiac he insists that both will travel a transcendental destiny of which they have no indication, until mysterious forces push them towards each other. The film does not make too many efforts to provide greater depth to the mystical connection that will show the meaning of the enigmatic dreams of sienna.
Nor to the impulse of protection that seiya experience almost suddenly. Although the story tries to provide context to the extraordinary events surrounding the characters, it focuses on the action. The film casts aside most of the underlying mythology of the story from which it came and concentrates on flashy, impeccably choreographed fights. Gradually, the great secret of the conflict is revealed and, of course, it includes saving the world—and the goddess incarnated in it. sienna— of lurking danger.
However, Knights of the Zodiac it never comes close to the thrill of the hero’s long journey that the manga and anime made into a television classic. The director Tomasz Bagiński limits himself to following the adventures, stumbles and shocks of the protagonists, without adding character to the visual section.
For its part, the script, written by Josh Campbell, Blazej Dzikowski, Will Geiger and Masami Kurumada himself, rules out exploring the elaborate world of manga. Instead of that, lean towards a generic version. By the time Athena discovers her fate—and what is claimed of her—the plot loses her identity in favor of a simple conflict that collapses into a flat, predictable ending.
Knights of the Zodiac doesn’t finish tying up your loose ends
In fact, Knights of the Zodiac he has real difficulty piecing together bits of information that he half-explains. The mystical and slightly esoteric dimension of the paper version of him is transformed into a perception of the impending battle. Sienna and Seiya must join an unlikely team to save her life and move on to a greater challenge. But everything is told in such an incoherent way that it ends up looking like a chain of obstacles built to show the abilities of its protagonists.
The film loses the opportunity to build an atmosphere that identifies it. During the appearance of the distinctive armors, the digital effects are so poor that they are a hindrance to the plot. When it becomes clear that the life of sienna entails a greater sacrifice, the script avoids delving into the motives. So the purpose of the knights who protect her is as incomprehensible as it is unimportant.
At the same time, Knights of the Zodiac makes the mistake of many other adaptations based on complex works. Support the narrative through cross references that are not explained. The plot takes place between half-revealed secrets and the increasingly urgent perception that Sienna must survive for the universal good. But why that is so is never fully revealed, at least not clearly.
Another disappointing adaptation
If something is missing in the film, it is the emotional development of its characters. Particularly when it comes from a saga that was praised worldwide for taking the time and interest to explore its protagonists. On his arrival on the big screen, he plummets into a fantasy adventure. More related to a multi-film origin epic than a standalone project.
In his disappointing ending, Knights of the Zodiac it leaves the door open to a sequel, without completing the story it has just told. Reality and the future are safe, but it is not clear how such a feat was achieved.