Speaking from the viewpoint of a person in love with literature, this movie which stems from the BSD franchise earns an overall (8/10), and here are the categories supporting it:
-- Warning for minor spoilers --
• Story (6/10)
The concept of having our beloved characters fight against their own personified egos is over used, especially in shounen genre anime, making it chaff more than wheat.
Although fast paced and action packed, the plot itself does not truly address the issue of Shibusawa's motivations, glossing it over with a rather generic mad scientist/bored rich guy explanation. It also becomes rather confusing at the end, without a sense of catharsis accompanying the resolution. Other than a brief glimpse into past happenings, bringing up once again The Dragon Head Conflict, the story is more action than emotion.
While that may be expected of a shonen anime, personally I wish they included some aspects which could have related to literature more, or planned a proper story which relates to the main series. Hopefully, if BEAST is animated, we would see that unfold.
• Art (8/10)
Sketchy at times, but you could not blame them because of their supposed budgets, the art itself is gorgeous as ever. Not to the extent of KyoAni's or Makoto Shinkai's picturesque backgrounds, but most of the credit to art should go to character design. The characters are given details in facial expressions, clothing and gestures which mirror their personality very well.
Of course, the still backgrounds are beautiful too, mostly with a noir feel to them, especially due to the nature of the story this time around.
Fight scenes were well animated, fluid and dynamic, though it pales in comparison to more popular anime like BNHA or Naruto.
• Sound (8/10)
The soundtrack in this movie was an absolute joy. The producers ordered in a whole new slew of sounds, ranging from tranquil to blood-pumping. Each track played made the scenes come to life, injecting a sense of realism and urgency in an otherwise predictable plot.
The soundtrack is definitely worth listening to even on its own, able to evoke emotions without a backstory.
• Character (7/10)
Other than the characters who appeared in the main series and those of which we have come to love, two new characters were introduced: the elusive Fyodor and the eccentric Shibusawa.
Fyodor is the bigger player and has a more mysterious character compared to Shibusawa. Evidently, audiences are desperate to know more about his true intentions and plans after the teaser in season 2, and the movie only serves to elucidate a little on the latter. It sets up the stage needed for Fyodor in season 3, which he will finally begin to put his schemes into action.
Shibusawa on the other hand, seems interesting at first but soon morphs into a generic character with a personal vendetta. With more screen time he had the potential to evolve better, but since his character is limited only to this movie, he becomes another forgettable character if not for the in-your-face advertising.
• Enjoyment (7/10)
If I were younger (hah) or had yet to be exposed to so, so many shonen anime, I could have enjoyed it better. There is induced lethargy in a predictable plot, but there is also unbridled joy at seeing your favourite characters bond over ass-kicking.
It is up to you to decide whether you still have a love for the shone genre or not, but even if you don't, just watch this series for the creativity of employing literary figures and tons of dry literary in-jokes.
