TheFate/Stay Nightcontinuity began as a PC game that was adapted to manga, light novels, and an animated TV series. The featureUnlimited Blade Works(2010) is essentially a faster, more violent retelling of the 2005 television series. Every 10 years, seven Magi and their supernatural servants appear and battle for possession of the Holy Grail, which will grant the winner any wish--and ultimate power. High school student Shirou Emiya has always dreamed of becoming a champion of justice, and he gets his chance when he's drawn into the violent conflict between good and evil that surrounds the struggle for the Grail. Shirou immediately forms an alliance with his classmate and fellow Mage Rin Tohasa. He also acquires the services of the beautiful warrior-servant Saber. Director Yuji Yamaguchi uses reverse colors, multiple exposures, fast cutting, and a raft of special effects to energize the many bloody duels. But the flashy imagery can't disguise the underdeveloped plot and characters. In 105 minutes, there simply isn't time to explore the characters' personalities and relationships adequately. Shirou and Rin cling to their friendship, while the other characters arbitrarily switch loyalties. (Rated TV 14 V: graphic violence, violence against women, bondage, grotesque imagery, potentially offensive religious imagery)--Charles Solomon