Skunkyrate Gripping story with well-crafted characters

ScoobyWell Great visuals, story delivers no surprises

Teddie Blake The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Hayleigh Joseph This is ultimately a movie about the very bad things that can happen when we don't address our unease, when we just try to brush it off, whether that's to fit in or to preserve our self-image.

moonmonday I have loved Peter Chung's direction since Liquid TV's Aeon Flux. While the follow-up full-length TV series was ultimately disappointing, I was still interested in seeing what he had to bring to Reign: The Conqueror, or as it's called in Japan, Alexander Senki.What he brings to the series is basically just his brilliant direction and design. The story is incoherent and honestly insulting; after about episode 10, there is no further reason to watch. If only it had been cancelled then and the last three episodes never made! They are abominable, and they demolish what little interest any viewer should have in seeing what happens next.There is immense pretension in the series, which asserts itself through pseudophilosophical tangents and trumped-up nonsense only nominally related to mystery cults of the ancient world. What slight sympathy for Alexander exists at the beginning of the series is steadily whittled away by clumsy writing, until by the end there is none left. In fact, most viewers will actively be wishing for the character to be annihilated because he is so unsympathetic and unlikable. That isn't something that any series with a character's name in the title should aspire to do.It is perhaps unsurprising though, since the series was actually cut short; the final episode is marred by continuous reuse of earlier footage cobbled together in an unambitious yet confusing melange of asinine attempts to be profound. By the end of the series, you are ready for it to be over and thankful that it was cancelled. If you must watch this, either watch the Japanese film version (which is comprised of the first few episodes edited into movie form), or simply stop at episode 10 and regard it as complete, which it essentially is at that point. Everything past there completely demolishes what the previous episodes established.It has been said by many entertainers that it is much better to leave an audience wanting more, than it is to give them extra and leave them disappointed and wishing that they had been left wanting. This series is a prime example of how that works: episode 10 could leave a viewer feeling quite satisfied and wanting more, but watching to episode 13 would leave that same viewer feeling disappointed and wishing he had not done so. The last 3 episodes are a waste of time, and were clearly just done to fill out space.If you want an intelligent, interesting look at a famous historical figure...well, look elsewhere. This tries to be much more than it is, but it's interesting enough to a point. Just consider it done with episode 10 and you should come away with enough satisfaction to make it worth seeking out. The visuals are beautiful and strange, the animation well-done...and that's about it.

hoskie I find all of the negative response that 'Alexander Senki' has been receiving disappointing. I have been waiting years for it to be released domestically and I was hoping that since it aired on a major cable channel, its fan base would grow (all things considered, it has, but not nearly the way that I had look forward to).Some complain that 'Alexander Senki' "looks like 'Aeon Flux.'" This is true. But would these same people complain that 'Neia_7' looks like 'Haibane-Renmei' (Yoshitoshi ABe)? Probably not. I'll admit that Peter Chung's style is an acquired taste, but even if you're not fond of the art, you should still give 'Alexander Senki' a chance.The story was not meant to be presented as historical fact. The way I see it, it is an aesthetic journey into Alexander's world. The creators have glorified and twisted events even more than history has, and this makes for an entertaining series. 'Alexander Senki' takes place in a fantasy version of the ancient world that meshes well with mythology and legend. If you want fact (or, rather, as close to fact as you can come), read 'The Nature of Alexander' by Mary Renault or watch the PBS special 'In The Footsteps of Alexander the Great.'Overall, I feel that 'Alexander Senki' is a refreshing change from the usual anime archetype, and is a series that everyone should try.

endofelliott It really all depends on if you liked "Aeon Flux" or not. If you did, then you'll love "Reign" or "Alexander". If you didn't like "Aeon Flux", then you won't. I stumbled onto "Reign" and was immediately taken by it (yeah, I loved "Aeon Flux"). As with "Aeon Flux", it is a bit cryptic at times, but the mashing together of the ideas of Alexander the Great, the great thinkers of the past and the Sci-Fi and fantasy elements were great and very engaging. The depth of the scenery and character design are amazing. My only disappointment was that it ended with only 13 episodes -- at least, that all that aired on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.

Mulliga I saw the first episode of "Alexander" on Cartoon Network today (They renamed it "Reign: The Conqueror"). Well, it follows on a hallowed Peter Chung tradition - it's confusing as all hell. The Pythagorean Assassins were AWESOME, though. The plot is going to be riddled with cliches, but if the character design is imaginative, I won't care.Let's see if it's any good.