Welcome back the Elric brothers, Edward and Alphonse, heroes of the “Fullmetal Alchemist” franchise. You may not know them, but plenty of anime fanatics do: a manga that began in 2001, the property later became two television series (one still on the Cartoon Network) and later a feature. (“The Sacred Star of Milos” is the sequel.)
You’ll find only eye-blink references to their origins in “Sacred Star” (devotees only, I’m afraid). So, for the uninitiated: when Ed and Al’s mother died, Ed used the forbidden practice of human alchemy to bring her back, but at a dear price. He lost an arm and a leg, and Al lost his body. Now Al inhabits a robotic frame (resembling a shorter, spiked cousin of the title character in “The Iron Giant”), and Ed uses high-tech prostheses. The two seek a philosopher’s stone (not to be confused with the British title to the first Harry Potter book) that will enable them to reclaim their bodies.
And where are they now? In a vast canyon housing the Milos, poor people oppressed by the Cretans, who live above. There the brothers join forces with the Milos, as well as with Julia, a budding alchemist, and her mysterious brother, Ashleigh. Let the animated phantasmagoria begin: explosions, bolts of enchantment and colorful conflagrations signifying little to this viewer.
That said, early steampunk flavorings, including the Black Bats — flying female antagonists in Art Deco regalia — have charm. And the widescreen canvas is an improvement over television’s limited expanse. But if you’re not among the indoctrinated, don’t bother.