Reviews

The animation is stellar, no surprises there. Voice acting is great as well. Where this film suffers is pacing; it tends to get a little jarring from time to time, and the ending feels... incomplete. It just ends when it feels like it needed just that one last concluding scene where the plot is wrapped up and you just don't get that. But that aside, I had a good time watching this film, even though a lot of the emotion felt a little hollow. The cinematography was definitely what made this movie a film worth watching if nothing else.

It seems the majority of naysayers in regards to this film cling to the idea that it's not 100% like the source material. I can understand, but for the more open-minded viewers who appreciate film in general, this movie has a lot to offer. It's a well-rounded and deliberate story of self-discovery, with great action and performances, as well as many themes on what makes us human that people seem to adamantly claim are absent. It's a shame that this movie doesn't get more recognition; even the cinematography alone is a marvel to behold.

I've been a fan of the Fate series for a long time. And these films somewhat rely on the viewers already having knowledge of the series as a whole in order to fully appreciate them. Like the first film, the animation is spectacular. Zero complaints there. The fights, when they happen, are flawless and a true spectacle to see. Where this film suffers though is the pacing. What should have been the climax of the movie ended up happening about halfway through, and the rest of it was a somewhat slow burn until the end credits. The Fate series is known for its Servant battles, but this one didn't give us one to top off the third act like the first one did. Bottom line is, if you're already a fan, you'll enjoy this despite the pacing issues. Could have been better, (Unlimited Blade Works is still the superior rendition of the Stay Night routes so far in my opinion) but it was fun, investing, and left me wanting more.