Majid-Hamid

Wow! I never thought that this movie would be so good. When I first saw the trailer it doesn't look so impressive, because most new movies sucks big times especially those mangas converted into live action movies.

However, it's different for The First Slam Dunk. Takehiko Inoue hit the mark when they finally decide to merge the 3D and 2D hand drawing animation so it makes it more realistic and the nostalgic moment plus the storyline doesn't seem swaying away from the original manga.

The switch on the main character from Sakuragi Hanamichi to Miyagi Ryota is an excellent move, as Ryota doesn't have much background storyline in the original manga and yet very underrated when he was supposed to shine as the top contender for point guard. In the manga and anime series, we know how he went against Maki, Sendoh, Fujima which are considered as the best among the best of all all point guards in Japan high school. By right, it should have been Ryota character to develop more than others since the top players and most important position is as a point guard to deliver the basketball teams.

Personally I like Ryota character more than others, and this changes in The First Slam Dunk really delivers exactly that I wanted (except the love storyline between Ayako and Ryota being removed completely...would have been great to see Ayako end together with Ryota)

Besides, others character were not in vein either, we can still see how dangerous and effective Rukawa and Sakuragi are in their battles. Not to mention about Akagi and Mitsui, as their part as well came in with some details about how Ryota and Mitsui met and become enemies and how Akagi and Ryota get along in a non-teamwork basketball team.

This is full scale war between Sannoh and Shohoku, and the action does not disappoint since begginning up until the end. The dramatic and depressing stories on Ryota's background is really deep and meaningful. This is another aspect in which the director really clever while adding this up during the game battle as to make audience understanding more on how Ryota's came in and move his way up with Shohoku's team which end up battling with best team in Japan aka Sannoh.

The ending is good, and hopefully there will be a sequel as it will be interesting to see how Ryota battle with Sawakita in future...and has he finally surpass Maki, Sendoh, Fujima and Fukatsu as the best point guard??

10/10, The First Slam Dunk is currently the best basketball and sports animation movies ever!

Well...considering that this movie a failure at that time, I guess it's understandable. It has plenty of actions but the storyline is a complete mess. Even with good actors as Liu Yung and Mok Siu Chung can't even save this movie. I wouldn't say that this is totally bad, but it's just average and I feel like 50% wasting my time where in ends all good guys die and bad guys wins. It's just doesn't make sense.. however it's just watchable because of strong performance from the actors and good build up character. There are plenty of actions with good fight scenes. But this movie is a good example which prove the theory where plenty of actions and strong acting doesn't mean it will provide a good movie in the end.

My vote is only 5.5 stars; it's only watchable for once in a while.