For fans of any TV show from any genre, leaping from the small screen to the big screen is always an exciting yet nerve-wracking time. There are plenty of questions, mostly around how the story will be structured, and for anime fans, that includes how the animation will translate onto the big screen as well. Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is one of those films that achieves an almost flawless transition, offering fans a deeper and more emotional look at certain characters while still delivering top-notch animation and action.
Dismissing Chainsaw Man solely because of the obvious images and expectations it evokes is an easy thing to do. However, beyond the obvious violent mayhem that exists in the Chainsaw Man universe, there is a real story here, centered on Denji, a tragic tale about an orphan living in a world of demons created by humans through their collective fears, who survives only to be betrayed and left for dead. He is brought back to life by his faithful Chainsaw Devil pet Pochita, who sacrifices himself and gives Denji the ability to ultimately transform into his human/devil hybrid “Chainsaw Man.” Wanting only to exist in peace, he is forced to fight for an agency dedicated to killing the demons or be killed as a demon himself.
Set after the events of the first season, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc continues with Denji’s ongoing obsession with Makima, the one who recruited him, even though she repeatedly puts Denji in harm’s way to get what she wants. Thankfully, the film takes a turn away from the storyline when Denji meets Reze, who is seemingly the exact opposite of Makima in almost every way. This apparent chance meeting causes Denji some real anguish, as he struggles with his feelings for both women. He is unaware that he is yet again being manipulated, which puts his life and many others around him at risk.
The behind-the-scenes talent has done a great job here. Cinematographer Teppei Ito, art director Yusuke Takeda, and character designer Kazutaka Sugiyama have all contributed to the film’s and its characters’ great look and feel, imbuing the finest details with realism. The characters and background are awash in a palette of colours that pop out of the screen. Combined with composer Kensuke Ushio’s subtle and bombastic score, it all makes for a visual and audio delight.
Director Tatsuya Yoshihara, who served as the action director for the TV series, elevates everything here by bringing his own style and flair to the big chair. He also included most of the TV show staff on board for this film, which was a great idea.
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While Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc follows the sad, tragic, confusing, and tough roads that Denji is traveling, there is a beautiful substory—the discussions about the town mouse and the country mouse (an Aesop Fable)—that acts like a mirror held up to Denji to see himself. However, he can’t see it yet, the path he is on, or how to make the right choices to differentiate between living a quiet life and a life full of action. He is still being pulled in different directions, by others and himself, and the constant musings about the Aesop Fable are woven into the story wonderfully, making this more than a simple action-fueled movie.
Speaking of action, there is plenty here with players from both sides getting equal time to let loose on each other. Denji’s alter ego, Chainsaw Man, is beautifully rendered here in all its saw and violent glory. There are a few battle scenes that go nearly over the top, with constant explosions and shifting scenes making the action all seem to blur together. However, this is a minor critique of a well-thought-out plan, where the action is more than just simple reactions, though at times that too is a necessary part of the story.
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is a beautifully stylized and thoughtful film, bizarre but heartwarming and sincere. Anime fans should be very pleased and embrace this film. It demonstrates once again that those behind the show have an excellent grasp on how to translate television to the screen and, through the action, tell a story worth paying attention to.
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