Road to Ninja: Naruto, le film

Road to Ninja is an excellent movie. The soundtracks in the movie are amazing and soothing. The movie focuses on a simple aspect that we humans generally want things that others have and we don't. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. The movie shows how sometimes we wish for some things and how once we get them we realize that it wasn't supposed to be this way. The movie makes you realize a simple truth that everything in this universe happens for a reason that you may or may not find out. But sometimes things are supposed to be the way they are because you may never know what part they play in something much greater. Frankly this movie is for those who are familiar with Naruto. Adding any spoilers for this movie's review would spoil the fun and so as a true Naruto fan I would request you to watch the movie because I am sure you will love it.

Believe it or not, I have never seen anything Naruto until today. This name though, and the image of the young guy with three stripes on either side of his face, with the yellow spiky hairstyle, and wearing an orange jogging suit has long been familiar to me as a Japanese anime character. However, for some reason or another, I never got a chance nor the interest to see any TV episode nor movie from this franchise before, until my kids convinced me to bring them to watch this film this afternoon on opening day in a local mall.

"Road to Ninja" tells a complicated story where Naruto and his friend Sakura are sent into a parallel mirror world by an evil wizard, where their deepest dreams come true. Sakura, who resents her parents meddling with her life, realizes that her parents have both died as heroes. Naruto who had lived his entire life as an orphan, now enjoys the loving presence of his parents, Minato and Kushima.

Both Naruto and Sakura are still cognizant though that they are living in an illusion that needs to be broken. Powerful ninja battles ensue during the night of the red moon, the only night when the spell can be broken by a mysterious scroll, and Naruto had to invoke the Nine-Tailed Fox within him in an attempt to return their world back to how it used to be.

Despite the fact that I did not even know a single fact about Naruto or his friends, I did not find it difficult to get into the groove of this story. I had to ask a question or two to my son beside me to set me straight on character relationships, but overall it was not too tough to get through.

The story was told very well, without really requiring an in depth knowledge of the animated series. The flashbacks give us the necessary historical background in order to understand better the current situation the characters are in. The clarity of this story development is quite impressive considering this is already the ninth Naruto film!

I can now see why this anime series had been so popular over the years. No wonder this particular installment had just become the highest-grossing Naruto film. I think I might just go watch the first film and really get acquainted with this popular series more.

Road to Ninja is arguably one of the most emotionally ambitious Naruto films, and for good reason-series creator Masashi Kishimoto was directly involved in writing the story. This 2012 movie explores an alternate universe where Naruto's deepest wish (and fear) is brought to life: a world where his parents are still alive, but everything else is turned upside down.

Strengths: At its core, Road to Ninja is a character-driven story. Unlike many of the other Naruto movies that rely heavily on external threats and bombastic battles, this one focuses more on identity, loss, and belonging. The alternate reality setting allows the film to experiment with the personalities of the familiar cast-Hinata becomes aggressive and bold, Shikamaru is a womanizer, Sasuke is flirty and attention-seeking, and so on. These twisted versions of beloved characters add a refreshing layer of humor and intrigue.

The real heart of the film, though, lies in Naruto's interaction with Minato and Kushina. The emotional weight of seeing his parents alive-and being treated like a normal son-hits hard. It's a powerful "what if" scenario that digs into Naruto's loneliness and desire for connection. Kushina especially steals several scenes with her warmth and maternal energy.

Visually, the movie is polished, and the fight scenes, particularly Naruto vs. Menma (the alternate version of himself), are intense and well-animated. The soundtrack also elevates emotional moments, with melancholy themes underscoring Naruto's internal struggle.

Weaknesses: While the character drama is strong, the actual plot is somewhat thin. Tobi's use of the limited Tsukuyomi to trap Naruto in this dream world isn't fully explained, and the logic of how Naruto breaks free leans more on emotion than solid storytelling. The final battle, though well-animated, ends up being standard Naruto movie fare-Kurama rage mode, a big explosion, and heartfelt declarations of self-worth.

Menma, the alternate Naruto, had the potential to be a really compelling antagonist, but his motivations aren't clearly fleshed out, and he ultimately becomes more of a plot device than a real character. Additionally, fans hoping for deeper exploration of the other AU characters may feel shortchanged-they're mostly used for comic relief.

Final Verdict: Road to Ninja is a standout Naruto movie for its emotional depth and alternate universe creativity. It offers a rare chance to see Naruto confront his greatest longing and face the bittersweet reality of what he's lost. Though the plot structure stumbles at times and the villain lacks impact, the film shines in its quieter, more personal moments. It's a must-watch for fans who love Naruto not just for the action, but for the heart.

Rating: 7.9/10.

Cinema is a beautiful illusion that transports in other world as the illusionistic power of Madara. A world when the sizes are relative and different as the screen. A reflection on the power of the ascension with the spirit and the chakra that can change the reality

Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie 6 is the sixth Part II/Shippūden film and ninth overall Naruto movie. It is also the first film with the story created by the original series creator, Masashi Kishimoto. Kishi has poured his profound ideals and morals into the Naruto series from Day 1 and Road to Ninja has pretty big ones. The movie has good action, comedy and drama and is interestingly and steadily paced.

Ya know that classic plot thing where the character resents the way their life is, gets a taste of life when he gets what he wants and hates it, then things return to normal and he's grateful for what he has, RTN uses this but it goes much deeper. The film relates to the canon plot more than any other anime movie I've seen, except some DB movies. Fans of Naruto will get this, knowing how Naruto's parents died at his birth and the 9-tailed fox was sealed into him, causing him to be alone and the love he should have gotten replaced with hate and shunning. He has a sincerely happy attitude in the series, but it hits him hard in the movie which is plot-constructive. Sakura has parents but resents their annoying her all the time. Also in relation to the main plot, one of the series' main antagonist, Tobi, tests his Infinite Genjutsu on them with a prototype. The IG's goal is to make a fantasy world, making Naruto and Sakura perfect test subjects.

The movie follows the jinchūriki and kunoichi learning what life would be like if they received what they wanted: Sakura's parents dead and Naruto's parents alive. The movie faces the two with the choice of running away in a dreamland or facing the harshness of life as it is and accepting reality. Naruto has what he's wanted and deserved for so long after enduring 26 or so years of hardship. That's also a main theme of the film and why it is called "Road To Ninja". One of the lines at the start of the movie is Naruto recalling what it means to be a Shinobi or Nnja, recalling his master saying, "a ninja is one who endures".

It's Hilarious to see the main characters in these new personalities and dynamics and the action and emotion is top-notch as well and there's sufficient character-development. This is hands down one of the best Naruto films and like the series itself, any viewer can watch this and take something from it. Nice job Kishi. He shows that despite how we all love these characters, their Shinobi and ninjas are meant to endure, being why he puts them through this. Keep enduring guys! 10/10.