When I think of a good film sequel to an existing anime series, I don’t want the same thing inflated and repackaged for theaters. I want something true to the source, yet willing to evolve. Fresh new characters, with more growth for the original ones. Most of all, I want something optimal for cinema while still keeping the essence of the series. Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc offers all of that and more.
An innocent question is asked by our trauma-ridden protagonist, Denji, at the beginning of this action-packed, provocative, gut-punch of a film: “Do I have a heart?” That heart begins to beat faster after meeting the sweet and captivating Reze voiced perfectly by Reina Ueda in the sub and Alexis Tipton in the dub. Every character interaction repeatedly answers Denji’s question not only for himself but for the ones around him. This is a film that invests so much into the characters and worldbuilding that I couldn’t help but be enamored. It is well-written and respects its characters and their motivations in ways that frankly are missing from not only many anime, but some modern films as well. The performances are all top-notch whether you choose Japanese or English but the unvoiced tells stories that the voices cannot. A skillful example of show, don’t tell. By the end of it my wide eyes and beating heart immediately wished for more of that beautiful animation.
Go ahead and count this as another win for Mappa Co., Ltd because holy moly– I am blown away. Every movement feels deliberate and thoughtful. The spectacle of an action-heavy anime doesn’t abandon any of the emotional impact. In fact, I’d even say it furthers it. Watching characters go for each other’s throats at such high intensity while the dream of wanting them to bury the hatchet gets sawed to pieces tugs at the heart strings. A shot as simple as a character singing acapella on the roof with a blank stare while the rain drops fell on her face had me throwing my hands up Scorsese meme-style. Absolute cinema.
That brings me to the soundtrack. Kensuke Ushio delivers a soundtrack destined for playlists (and meme edits) for the years to come. The epic rock numbers pair with the explosive bloodshed. The horror tracks amplify the dread. The whimsical tunes match Denji’s hilarious naivete. And the soft violin and piano ballads accompany the romantic gestures. If you’ve seen it, you know which one in particular I’m talking about.
Full disclosure: if you’re not used to anime and its often brutal treatment of teenage characters, you probably won’t be able to stomach the series or the film. But if you can, the film immerses the audience in the bleak, devilish world of Chainsaw Man and sends you back to a time where things seemed simpler through the eyes of Denji. It is a genuinely great action-romance flick. By the end, it will have you saying, “Yes, Denji, you do have a heart. And this film does too.”
