Exclusive Review Of Mass Effect: Paragon Lost

The average film adaptations of video games are usually bad. Most are based on games like “Mario” or “Mortal Kombat,” games that lack a story. What about a film that takes place in continuity with a game franchise renowned for its story? “Mass Effect: Paragon Lost” is an anime film that takes place during the events of the critically acclaimed game, “Mass Effect 2.”

The date on the poster is no longer accurate, it has been pushed back till December

The story follows James Vega, a supporting character from “Mass Effect 3” and his platoon of Space Marines as they guard a human colony on a distant world. When a mysterious alien race known as the Collectors attack the colony and abduct its people, it is up James and his platoon to save them.

This plot sounds like rather generic sci-fi fare, and it is at times. However, there are plenty of surprises along the way to keep you interested in the story. The twists in the film, save for one painfully obvious one, are well done, and one is particularly chilling. The story is a classic race against time rescue mission and holds your attention throughout its runtime. The climax of the film is excellently written and beautifully animated. The climax of the film deserves to be ranked among some of the best of the Mass Effect franchise.

The opening sequence of the film is especially well animated. The opening involves James’ squad engaging a group of alien soldiers in a bloody and brutal battle. The battle looks great. It is well paced and wonderfully animated. It also does a good job of establishing the tone of the film. It gives the audience a brief taste of the action that awaits, before spending the next half hour developing the cast and establishing the world the film is set in. After that, the film progresses into a survival horror style of sci-fi, reminiscent of John Carpenter’s “The Thing.” One of the key themes of the “Mass Effect” franchise is choice, and the film presents James with several choices that he must make. He is aware that no matter what choices he makes, he will have to live with the outcome. The film is surprisingly accessible for people who are not familiar with the franchise. Of course, it would be much easier to understand with prior knowledge of the “Mass Effect” series.

“Paragon Lost” is a Japanese anime, which of course means that it is traditionally animated unlike the computer animation of the video games. The animators do a good job adapting the character designs of the aliens, and of James himself, to animation. The animation style of the film overall is crisp and clean. It is obvious that the film had a good budget behind it. The film also makes use of a surprising amount of horror elements, and it pulls the horror off surprisingly well. The amount of gore and violence mean that this film is definitely not for kids. The violence is on par with that of the M rated games.

The characters of the film are the typical action heroes’ stereotypes that you see in most films of this style, but they are still quite entertaining and are enjoyable. The focus of the film is James. James was one of the team members from “Mass Effect 3.” In the game, he is an affable and friendly veteran who eventually reveals deep emotional damage and trauma because of his encounter with the Collectors. “Paragon Lost” serves to explain and develop his backstory. At the start of the film, he is presented as an eager, competent and painfully idealistic marine who will do anything to protect his squad. The film shows his progression to a darker, more troubled man who still believes in doing the right thing but questions whether his decisions are right at all.

The voice cast for this film is excellent. Funimation Studios contracted some of the best actors available for this film. Each character sounds just right in their roles. Freddie Prinze Jr. reprises his role as James from the games. Prinze’s acting talent has been debated over the years, but in this film, his voice acting is superb for the character. He is able to properly bring out the emotion and determination that the character possesses. The voice acting includes such talent as Monical Rial (Shiro- Deadman Wonderland), Vic Mignogna (Ed Elric- Fullmetal Alchemist), Ling (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood), and Travis Willingham (Roy Mustang- Fullmetal Alchemist) all turn in great performances in their roles.

The film was shown in a world premiere at Anime Weekend Atlanta and will not be available for public viewing until December of this year. Despite the long wait, the film is well worth seeing. It has a few flaws, but the script is solid, the animation is great, and the story is good. If you are a “Mass Effect” fan, it is well worth seeing.

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Richard "Hawk" Hawkins

Contributing Writer at ComicBookTherapy

An English and Journalism student with a background in investigative journalism, reviews and film editing.

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