I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

This show starts out rather heavy, asking what people should protect. Then we are thrown into a large action packed fight and chase that feels really over the top. We aren't introduced to the characters or understand what the hell they are doing. We just know a fight is going on. Although this show looks rather nice, the storyline doesn't fit the look of the show and makes things confusing including the fact that this was supposed to have 4 video games before it to help with the story line and sadly, only two were dubbed and brought over. Sadly, I am probably in the select few who have never played the games at all and am left going 'what the **** are they even talking about' with the small bits of dialogue the writers happened to put into the show.It should have been a great opening for a great movie, but sadly, It feels like its small pieces of what would have been a good show. Lots of dialogue seems cut and the scenes don't make a whole lot of sense. I know I may be coming in without watching the anime Tales of Vesperia (or actually in this sense the games) but when I watch something, I don't want to see a action packed show, then go from that to a traveling opening where the main characters are going somewhere, then cut to them fighting about some mission I have no clue about and being scolded, all the way into the two 'main characters' arguing about how the room is a mess. I haven't even been able to catch the two characters names yet and already I can probably give them nicknames, play-by-the-books and lazy-*** long-haired guy. Not to mention we also get to strange twins who seem to be friends of the two.The show feels like a number of clips pushed together into one long movie like they were the cut scenes to the video game without any real continuity at all. Not even an explanation on what they are really doing in the town or where these said monsters came from up. Most of the fights seem like they were thrown into the show just to put more action into it. I kid you not, even reading the plot summary on the Wiki was confusing to the point I struggled to give this show a description.The animation is actually pretty well done, though the slight CG that they do seems a little off. I mean, it works alright and has the same feeling as the drawn animation but when you get close to it, it feels slightly off. When we get to the magic using though, it looks extremely well done. Characters seem really stiff in action and attitude even when they are supposed to be relaxed characters and not of military or governmental power. The twins also seem to grow in cup size once in a while. Even so, I give props for Production I.G. on getting this well done in the art department at least except for the hiccup when it came to the memories part. When we go into the dubbed version of the show, the animation can get a bit off with the voices. The mouth movements are a bit to realistic to the point that parts seem forced as they try to match them and fail. It may be standard when things like that happen and I give Funimation props for trying as best they can but still.English voices seem expertly done and feel good with the characters though even with the characters that are supposed to be relaxed, they feel stiff. The script feels like it was cut up into little pieces where a lot of dialogue that is supposed to explain what the hell is happening falls away. Again, lip sinking is not that great though I don't blame them to badly.

If you are a fan of the game, then there's no doubt you will love this movie. I went in with no expectations, except knowing that it's a prequel. That being said, I was very impressed by not only the quality of the movie, but the pacing, character development, seamless crossover between the prequel and the original game, while introducing new characters without harming the original.The story was simple. But very effective. I really enjoyed the Yuri/Flynn bond throughout the game, and it was great seeing the roots of it in this movie, while also getting some more back story on Flynn's past. This movie had be laughing at loud at some parts, and crying at others. It was a roller-coaster of emotions, but it was a complete package.I didn't feel cheated or upset by the way things were done, in fact, I think many other game to anime adaptations should look at this movie as a role model. Simply perfect.I really enjoyed it, and I'm certain so will you, perhaps even if you have not played the game. Definitely check this out!