Take highly motivated stars from X-Men, Lord of the Rings, and One Piece. Combine this with crazy worldbuilding and superpowers. Spice it up with wonderfully dynamic, colorful fights. And finally, put your brain in the corner for two hours and sit back.
The last step is a crucial one in this recipe, after all, we don’t want any logical lumps to arise or the characterization to burn. The (loose!) anime adaptation Saint Seiya: The Knights of the Zodiac – The Movie is something you have to be open to. Anyone who can manage that will get a insanely good time with fantastic martial arts moments.
In Saint Seiya on Netflix, a young fighter must become a cosmic warrior
Seiya (Mackenyu) leaves no stone unturned to find his missing older sister. Since her kidnapping, he has been on his own. Life as a loner and orphan has hardened him – and made him bitter. As a fighter, he makes a living with underground cage matches. Until, during a particularly dicey fight, he suddenly realizes that he supernatural powers owns.
From that moment on, Seiya is hunted. The inhuman warriors of the destructive Guraad (Famke Janssen) try to capture him. He is saved by their opponents: Alman (Sean Bean) and his butler Mylock (Mark Dacascos). In their headquarters, Seiya learns that he has the powers of a cosmic warrior. One of five bodyguards of the goddess Athena.
Alman’s daughter Sienna (Madison Iseman) carries the power and soul of this goddess within her. It won’t be long before the goddess awakens – which Sienna can either control or become the Destruction of the world Guraad therefore wants to get his hands on Sienna and kill Athena at any cost. Seiya must face his destiny as a Knight of Pegasus to prevent a catastrophe.
Saint Seiya lets the power of martial arts and deities collide in epic battles
Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac – The film is certainly not without its flaws (starting with the cumbersome title). But fortunately, for a fantasy action film, it has one thing down pat: the action. It is a fantastic mixture of martial arts choreography and dynamic camera work reminiscent of Kingsman: The Secret Service, which really leaves no eye dry.
Last but not least, lead actor Mackenyu, who will soon be showing off his talents again as Zorro in the second season of Netflix’s One Piece, and martial arts legend Mark Dacascos are able to shine in ultimate coolness. The result speaks directly to every inner child who once dreamed of becoming an anime hero. “Power Rangers on Steroids” is a valid description here.
With a little openness, you will grow fond of the stubborn characters over the course of the film, who you want to shake for all their harsh sayings – but who you ultimately root for. Because despite all their weaknesses, all the actors have obviously having funwhich is absolutely contagious.
Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac – The film is now streaming on Netflix.