For as big and famous as the 'One Piece' franchise is, it's taken me this long to even begin dipping my toes into it. To begin watching the film releases that began in 2000, I've been overjoyed with just how very fun they are, and accessible, right from the very start. Happily, this third installment is just as swell; though bearing at least some passing surface knowledge of the anime or manga may help one to appreciate it, 'Chopper's kingdom on the Island of Strange Animals' is written in such a manner that we don't need to particularly know the world or its characters to enjoy the tale on hand. After all, this is nothing if not a wild, cartoonish, fantastical blend of action and comedy with adventure, and everything we might need to know about the scenario is well within the boundaries of its diminutive runtime. In a move that I assume again stems from Shimizu Junji's direction, this commonly struggles with overly swift pacing in the same way that its predecessors did, regrettably making much of the the dialogue, jokes, action, and scenes fly past in a flash - yet that's really the only especial critique that I can summon, and all told this 2002 picture is a blast!
It does strike me with this entry that given the broad tenor of the series, one issue apt to rear its head in the writing is a lack of stakes to propel the drama or thrills. In a world of ultra-skilled fighters and supernatural powers, there is no foe too imposing for our heroes to defeat, and we know that at the end of any given episode, feature, or arc the Straw Hats will continue their journey together across the seas with no lasting casualties. That does take some of the bite out of the storytelling. Even with that in mind, however, the swirl of mirth and action is highly entertaining, and the story is ably engaging and compelling exactly as it is. Moreover, in this case returning scribe Hashimoto Hiroshi wove in some notable, meaningful themes of inner strength, and doing what's right even if it violates some entrenched precepts or puts one at risk in some way; less prominent but still discernible is the idea of cruel people preying on the vulnerable for their own gain, and more specifically, protecting the natural world against those who would exploit it. Further factor in the flavorful scene writing and colorful characters that lay the groundwork for all the fast-paced humor and (reasonably tame) violence to follow, and the screenplay doesn't need to be perfect to be overall super.
Of course the writing also provides the foundation for the artists of Toei Animation to ply their trade, and as one should expect of Japanese studios, the work in this flick is tremendous. You know it, you want it, you got it: terrific detail and texture, and vibrant hues; gratifying consideration for lighting, shading, and perspective; gorgeous backgrounds and settings, and creative and fetching designs for characters and creatures; fluid, exciting action and sharp effects; and so on. Hand in hand with the more frivolous side of animated fare 'One Piece' revels in the extra-exaggerated expressions and reactions that are a staple of a lot of anime, but even setting that aside the animation is splendidly expressive as it very capably brings to bear the comedy both silly and witty, action of all stripes and sometimes surprising brutality, and the more heartfelt moments that help to anchor the proceedings. With the added benefit of spirited voice acting and Tanaka Kohei's excellent score that deftly complements every mood and scene, and when all is said and done 'Chopper's kingdom on the Island of Strange Animals' is once again a really good time, just as one would hope.
It's fair enough to critique some odds and ends, and ultimately the movie still may not be so special as to demand viewership. Whether you're an established fan or a newcomer, however, there's much to love in these fifty-six minutes, and for the level on which this operates, any discussion of the finer points kind of comes down to nitpicking. This is a franchise that's just here to have a ball with its tried and true mix of genres and flavors, and it's so consistently well done that I can hardly imagine anyone not sitting to watch and stepping away with a smile. I'm very pleased with how delightful this third 'One Piece' movie film is, and it's well worth checking out if you have the opportunity!
