Knights of the Zodiac, directed by Tomek Baginski, is a live-action version of the anime and manga series, Saint Seiya. However, despite some stimulating action sequences, the film ends up feeling as transient and unremarkable as a fleeting meteor.
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The plot centers on Seiya (Mackenyu) who unexpectedly gets into a dispute between Alman Kiddo (Sean Bean) and Guraad (Famke Janssen). They fight over Sienna (Madison Iseman), the reborn goddess Athena. Seiya learns about his preordained path to safeguard Sienna and save humankind from impending doom – or so it seems…
The live-action genre of anime adaptations carries a certain stigma. They often fail to replicate the outlandish, hyperbolic essence of anime, resulting in somewhat infamous films like Dragonball Evolution (2009). Thus, Knights of the Zodiac already had a tough climb ahead.
However, my unfamiliarity with the original material allowed me to approach this film with a relatively open mindset. I contend that a fresh perspective can provide valuable insights into whether an adaptation can stand strong independently of its source material.
Regrettably, Knights of the Zodiac disappoints in this respect. It represents a type of failure that’s the worst kind: uninteresting and unmemorable. Its plot seems indistinguishable from the myriad of young adult 'chosen one' narratives in the market. A teenager is in an unfamiliar world, only to discover a grand destiny awaiting them – sound familiar? The film's predictable twists and an excess of sequel baiting didn't improve matters.
The movie also stumbles with its expository dialogue. An expansive world of gods, mystical forces, and magical artifacts exists in the narrative. But, the bulk of it is conveyed through a monotonous monologue by Sean Bean in the opening minutes. Listening to Bean isn't terrible. However, after a while, his lecture on intricate details fades into the background. One then begins to ponder over his infamous 'die in every movie' streak.
Further exacerbating the dull story is the film's sloppy execution. Stilted dialogues permeate the movie, with lines that feel forced, or conversely, painfully bland:
Sienna: What if I was born to bring misery and ruin into this world? Seiya: That’s not who you are. Sienna: How do you know? Seiya: I guess I just know.
This exchange occurs after Sienna and Seiya have only spent about 11 minutes together on screen, making their relationship feel forced and unconvincing.
The lackluster script seems to affect the actors' performances as well. Mackenyu's role appears limited to looking attractive and going shirtless in the climax. The veteran actors, Sean Bean and Famke Janssen do their best, but they can't salvage the film's lackluster characterization. Despite hints of potential character depth, the film seems to rush through the narrative without adequately exploring their backstories or motivations.
However, not all is lost. The film does manage to surprise with its engaging action scenes. They may not feel entirely realistic, but the clear shots and energetic choreography lend them an unexpectedly compelling quality, even if the quality of the CGI effects leaves much to be desired.
Unfortunately, the color scheme leaves much to be desired, with costumes appearing drab and uninteresting. It even causes some confusion during the climax, where the two combatants dressed in different shades of grey are hard to distinguish.
I haven't read the original Saint Seiya manga, but if Knights of the Zodiac is a faithful representation, I sincerely hope not. The film doesn't incite anger or frustration, but it does risk lulling you into a state of indifference due to its unimaginative plot elements. Knights of the Zodiac had the potential to aim for the stars but chose instead to remain firmly grounded.
