Director: Toshiyuki Kubooka
Starring: Hiroaki Iwanaga, Marc Diraison, Toa Yukinari, Carolyn Keranen, Takahiro Sakurai, Kevin T. Collins,
Running Time: 93 minutes
Certificate: 15
BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC II: THE BATTLE FOR DOLDREY is very much the middle section of a trilogy, in that it has no clear plot other than what has been carried over from the first instalment, and all conclusion are seemingly left until part three. It’s certainly a thrilling segment though, with extensive violence, sex, and sometimes even a combination of the two meaning there is never a dull moment. Set against a medieval backdrop, BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC II uses this as an excuse to exaggerate everything you’ve come to expect from such fantasy films.
This is both a help and a hindrance to the film. Prudishness doesn’t enter into it, but when legions of soldiers are constantly torn apart it quickly becomes meaningless and distracting. Why are any of these characters wearing armour? The incidental characters may as well be jumping headfirst into a blender and the main protagonists are often bullet proof. No point greater emphasises this fact than when arrows hail from the sky and conveniently miss anyone that has had more than 7 lines of dialogue so far. When violence is this biased and extreme, it borders on the comical.
When not sending animated clones to the meat grinder, BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC II also comes dangerously close to some very misogynistic views concerning women on the battlefield. The film opens up with the female protagonist Casca getting her period during a battle and becoming a quivering wreck. It does feel as though the film’s heart is in the right place, as it tries to show how hard women have it when it comes to the menstrual cycle and decapitating the villains, but it just feels so patronising. Luckily once that monthly spell passes, Casca is shown to be more kick-ass than man could ever hope to be.
Although all this sounds negative, the majority of the film is simply a non-stop action epic that does have some great character development. Homoerotic undertones permeate throughout as men juggle their bonds and loyalty in extreme situations. Not only this, but the designs are often breathtaking in their detail, especially the landscapes that breathe life into so many scenes. There are moments when the switch between traditional anime and fluid but distracting 3D can seem very jarring, but it also adds a unique vibrancy to battles. The end certainly leaves you wanting more, so if you’re into gory battle sequences with non-stop ferocious action, then BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC II: THE BATTLE FOR DOLDREY is a heart pounding treat.
BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC II: THE BATTLE FOR DOLDREY is released on Blu-ray and DVD on 12th August via Manga Entertainment.
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