KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC Reviews of live-action anime

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‘Go beyond your destiny’
Knights of the Zodiac is a 2023 live-action fantasy film based on the Saint Seiya saga anime series by Masami Kurumada.

Directed by Tomek Baginski – making his feature directorial debut – from a screenplay written by Josh Campbell, Kiel Murray and Matt Stuecken, based on the manga Saint Seiya by Masami Kurumada. Produced by Joseph Chou, Yoshi Ikezawa and Tim Kwok.

The Japanese-Hungarian-American co-production stars Mackenyu, Madison Iseman, Sean Bean, Diego Tinoco, Famke Janssen, Nick Stahl and Mark Dacascos.

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Plot synopsis:
Seiya (Mackenyu) is a headstrong street teen who spends his time fighting for cash while he searches for his abducted sister.

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When one of his fights unwittingly taps into mystical powers he never knew he had, Seiya finds himself thrust into a world of warring saints, ancient magical training and a reincarnated goddess who needs his protection.

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If he’s to survive, he will need to embrace his destiny and sacrifice everything to take his rightful place among the Knights of the Zodiac…

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Reviews:
Knights of the Zodiac isn’t a one-off movie since Stage 6 Films and Toei Animation reportedly planned to turn it into a whopping six-film franchise. It was an ambitious move since ‘Saint Seiya’ contains enough lore to warrant the size of a franchise. But given the first movie’s watered-down version, it doesn’t look like it deserved a sequel, let alone a franchise.” 3 out of 10, Fiction Horizon

“I haven’t read the original Saint Seiya manga, but I hope this movie is not an accurate representation of its source material. Knights of the Zodiac didn’t offend me or made me want to chuck my drink at the screen. But it did make me spill that drink because I zoned out from how barebones its story elements felt.” 2.5 out of 5, Loud and Clear

Knights of the Zodiac, despite its reasonably minor flaws, is fun. Unlike many mega-blockbusters that grace the big screen, this is a polished and competent movie with numerous fight scenes that we can actually see. Unfortunately, it will be judged on the merits of its box office performance rather than the heart that shines through.” 2.5 out of 5, Screen Rant

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