Boruto: Naruto - O Filme

Gone are the college days where I had time for anime. However, made time today with some friends to watch the limited release of Boruto: Naruto the Movie, and am so glad I did!

Excellent tribute to an anime that captivated so many of us! Started a bit slow, but of course eventually picked up. One of the best Naruto movies without a doubt! Hope that the creators of the original Naruto series continue to develop future adaptations, and that we don't lose this enjoyable anime.

The quality of animation has improved so much, it is mind-boggling. Two thumbs up and ten stars for sure!

Tons of new characters, great action sequences ,stunning artstyle and getting to see growth version of Naruto's classmates. All of this are just too short for 1.30 minutes.

The animation is spotty at times; it is evident that the greatest amount of effort was spent on the opening and ending fight sequences, leaving all scenes in between at a lower level of quality.

Furthermore the adaptation of the novel had caused a loss of nuance, making this inferior to the original source. Technology was not really (there were instances that it was) present in Kishimoto's original manga, now that it is he uses a popular motive of the Japanese New Wave, namely the idea that technology is taking over the life of man and this should be adverted as it is a regression. It comes over rather forced and blatant in the film as in the novel.

Yet, despite these flaws I cannot help but like this film; nostalgia hits, hard. I have grown up with the Naruto series and this is the end point. If nothing else, it really works as a closer, making me want to read it all again, which I probably will in the future.

At least, you wouldn't be able to criticize this movie like how you would end up criticizing the anime. Firstly, this came even before the manga. You are going to follow the Chunin exam arc in just 2 hours. I mean for a change, its not 20 chapters or 20 episodes long. Let's appreciate that the plot has been set up beautifully and totally matches with the current era in the Narutoverse. Otherwise, the Shippuden's ending was almost perfect. It is also amazing that in just 2 hours, we still get enough idea about how the new generation characters are. Orginal Naruto fans and Shippuden fans too would enjoy this movie as their heroes Naruto and Sasuke do get an opportunity and do manage to shine in the battle. No doubt that the battle has been choreographed better in the anime version but it still looks perfect for a movie version.

Now that it is a fact that while adapting this movie both the manga and the anime added few more details or elements to the plot, I think it is fairer to treat this movie as a preview. Surely, that is bound to give a sense of something being incomplete but that doesn't mean you wouldn't be able to enjoy this.

I believe this should be watched before you start following the manga or the anime version.

Personally I love the Naruto series, but was always disappointed by the movies. This one however is by far the greatest anime movie I've ever seen before by far. I have never cried during a Naruto scene before, but this one brought me to tears and is likely to be one of the only movies to ever get me to that level emotionally. Well crafted battle scenes, theme, and overall story. P.S. keep watching after the credits as there is an extra scene. Can't wait to see the next series in the naruto franchise because if it'still anything like this movie it will definitely be well worth the wait. Definitely buying this movie on bluray.