Movie Review
This action-packed cartoon is actually the final send-off for our heroes, bringing together all of our great players for one last battle to save the world. And boy are the stakes high!
Now, it's worth noting that anyone who hasn't seen the previous shows will be completely lost. While there is some rushed exposition to grab the audience at the beginning, there is so much going on in this world that it's hard to cram it all into a 100-minute film.
Arcadia Saga
For those who have followed the Arcadia saga for years, Rise of the Titans wastes no time getting to the heart of the drama, opening with a breathless fight between Douxie and the Arcane Order on a subway train.
This group of sorcerers is ready to take over Nari, the earth spirit who is currently under Duxie's tutelage. Well, Nari gets kidnapped, and Jim's lost amulet shows that he no longer has troll hunting powers. The Secret Order is not yet complete.
They have plans to restore life on Earth and summon three terrible titans to invade Earth. If they unite, they will bring about the end of the world, and they have less than 18 hours to stop it.
This forms the crux of the story as our heroes are torn apart and try to stop this threat and save the world. There's some deus ex machina here, namely a macguffin called the Krohnisfere and its purpose. Now, I won't spoil what's going on here, but suffice to say it's going to be very polarizing for viewers.
Endings can make or break a show, and Guillermo Del Toro's show for Rise of the Titans seems like a mistake. There are some really good moments of sacrifice, stakes, and character growth until the last 10 minutes. The ending feels like it seals it all in one twist. While some may like it, for me personally it cancels out what we've seen up to this point.
Absolutely Gorgeous
Like past seasons, Rise of the Titans is absolutely gorgeous. It's a film full of neon-lit visuals, jaw-dropping action and some pulsating set pieces. There's a lot to like about it, and it's certainly great to see all our favorite characters back.
While Rise of the Titans is beautifully illustrated, if heartbreaking at times, the plot and its over-reliance on macguffins put a damper on this final chapter. In the end, this movie feels like a nod with a comfortable shrug, not a roar of triumph.