Main Feature	Special Features
	Video	1080p High Definition 16:9	480i Standard Definition
	Audio	Dolby TrueHD 5.1: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1: Japanese	Dolby Digital Japanese 2.0
	Subtitle	English	English
	Rating	TV PG	NR
	Running Time	104 minutes	220 minutes
	Released By: FUNimation Entertainment
	Release Date: November 17, 2009
	Review Date: January 5, 2010
	Reviewed By: Rommel Salandanan
	You have not seen “Fullmetal Alchemist The Movie” until you’ve seen it in High-Definition Rating:

STORY IN A NUTSHELL
Set two years after the end of the TV series, Edward Elric finds himself in Germany during the 1920s, a world different than his own, and without any alchemy. Yet there is a familiar face, he has found his brother Al’s counterpart in this world, a young boy with engineering potential and a light spirit. Ed attempts to make a new life for himself while always trying to find a way back home to his brother. However the discovery of Nazis and enemy forces striving to open up a dimensional gate and invade the world of Shamballa create an all new threat and incredible dangers for the Elric brothers on both sides of the world to face!
 
REVIEW IN THE MATTER
Conqueror of Shamballa is a remarkable movie and fine tribute to the international hit Fullmetal Alchemist has become. The film is a multi-faceted story revealing life in two worlds, the lives of many people, showcasing characters familiar and new, and in the process telling a story as powerful emotionally as it is visually.

Although the movie is more for the fans, the story did a decent job of bringing someone up to speed with what transpired within the television series thus making it easier for someone to watch the film without getting lost in the story. However, there are still parts within the story that requires deeper knowledge of the series to fully enjoy the movie.

The outstanding animation is by studio BONES, responsible for Cowboy Bebop, Wolf’s Rain, and Eureka Seven. The studio is known for producing unique and incredible animation. It gives all that and more here in the Fullmetal Alchemist movie. There is a remarkable amount of detail to the varied backgrounds throughout the film, the action sequences are unforgettable, and the overall quality of the animation is all one would expect from a theatrical release and more. The musical score is excellent and holds two original songs by rock idol band L’Arc-en-Ciel. The opening sequence alone is a striking visual and evocative experience. The movie itself is one that will touch the hearts of fans of the original Fullmetal Alchemist manga and TV series.
 
IN TECHNICAL TERMS
One can easily get lost in all of the visual aspect that high-definition can offer, and in this case, there are scenes throughout the movie that have deeper and darker or bright colors, and then switched into a pale color palette in the next scene. This is not an issue with source, as I believe and in my opinion that the film was made this way. Overall, the uses of blacks are decent, and the gradient effects are non-existent.

The audio is somewhat of a different story. The Japanese Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio was not as prominent as its English TrueHD 5.1 audio counterpart. The English dubbed packs more sound, and watching the same scenes and switching between both audios, you could say that FUNimation did a better job of authoring their own material rather than the original source.
 
FEATURETE
Special features that came with the Blu-ray version are the same ones that came with standard DVD version of Conqueror of Shamballa, a lengthy but informative “Making of” and talk session with some of the cast. Additional features include Japanese actor commentary, staff commentary, and commentary insight by the English voice actors that die hard FMA fans would love to listen to, and promotional trailers for the movie.
 
CASE IN POINT
The blu-ray version of Conqueror of Shamballa is not perfect by all means due to the original source material presented, but it is a great compliment to one of the best anime and fans who are willing to give this movie a try in high-definition. 

FOR SCREENSHOTS, GO TO PAGE 2