Let me start by saying that I am a very big fan of the manga and anime. However, I would say that this movie is a terrible summary for the amount of time it covers, so much so that I would be inclined to believe that it make me disinterested in either the manga or show. Some of my reasoning being...
Story: The fact that it's a compilation of points within the Gold Arc is somewhat off-putting. Sure it's not going to be able to replicate the anime or, for that matter, the manga. I wouldn't expect that. Rather, I would expect it to do what it did, just better. Better in that it maintains what one feels for the development of characters and progression of story as presented in the other works. I would say that you can see this in other anime movies that followed a pre-existing series. A good example is the Gurren Lagann movie. Granted, it changes a few things around, but overall it is in close quarters, if not the same room, as the series. This movie (Berserk movie) is in the same block as the other works but in a whole different building. One small thing that comes to mind is how Berserk feels very much dirty and medieval where as the movie presents more of a clean idealized version of the Renaissance. That, I believe, takes away from what has been established in the other works. Another issue being that one cannot become invested, or reinvested for those familiar with Berserk, in the characters and their experiences given who fast they blow by certain scenes. There are a few more problems I have with the film in regards to the story, but I wish for this section not to take up too much of the review.
Animation: The animation is actually really cool, yet, it's incredibly too vibrant and flashy compared to the dark and gritty feel Berserk normally has. This style could work with something else, just not Berserk. Now, I can see someone making the argument that "That's just how the anime looks!" True, however, the manga has this style as well. Even the most current still have that dark and gritty feel. Also, the CG modeling that can be seen in many of the battle scenes feels too awkward and is ultimately a hindrance to the overall presentation given that it clashes with animation style seen in the rest of the film. If said CG modeling were not present, I’d give the animation 9.5 or 10.
Sound/Music: Now, I like Susumu Hirasawa. His music is one of the defining characteristics of the Berserk anime. So much does the music reinforce the emotion in the scenes it’s presented in that to be without it makes one feel empty or lacking. Yeah, there’s the new track Aria, but the one time it’s played, it doesn’t heighten the intensity of the battle scene it’s in unlike Forces which when heard by itself makes the blood and adrenaline start to pump. Perhaps I am overly biased towards Hirasawa’s music, but the fact that there really isn’t any throughout the movie, and especially in certain scenes where music is somewhat crucial, is most disappointing.
Characters: The characters are who they are in the anime and manga, but one doesn’t get the chance to really know them well enough to care about what they’re doing and why they’re doing it. Granted one can make the argument that the movie is for those familiar with the Band of the Hawk and those they encounter, but even still, that doesn’t excuse the oh so little amount of work they put into connecting the audience with the characters.
