https://sg.movies.yahoo.com/blogs/show-buzz/review-the-last-naruto-the-movie-deviates-004020192.html
Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? If you’re a Naruto fan.
Should you watch this if it’s free? Yes.
Secret ending: Yes! It’s a heartwarming one.
Running time: 112 minutes (~1.75 hours)
“The Last: Naruto the Movie” is Japanese animated film, the tenth movie in the “Naruto” franchise. It focuses on the relationship between Naruto and Hinata, even as they attempt to foil a new villain’s plot at destroying the world. It features the voice talents of Junko Takeuchi (Naruto Uzumaki), Nana Mizuki (Hinata Hyuga), Jun Fukuyama (Toneri Otsutsuki), Chie Nakamura (Sakura Haruno), Satoshi Hino (Sai), and Showtaro Morikubo (Shikamaru Nara). It is in Japanese with Chinese and English titles.
So, disclaimer – I won’t dare to call myself a fan, or even a casual fan of the series, but more an infrequent viewer of the series. But there’s a fairly distinct tone and focus to the anime, which is a far cry from the tone of this movie. It comes as a big surprise that “Last: Naruto the Movie” feels like a completely different beast from the regular anime. Usually, anime feature films are emotionally richer and more intense than the regular series, but the focus is the same as the anime.
Highlights
Smooth, fluid animation
The animation here is top-notch, with detailed backgrounds and textures, fluid movements, and skilful (but still obvious) use of 3D animation for locations and vehicles.
Sasuke’s cameo
In case you’re wondering if you’ll see him – the answer is yes! Sasuke appears, albeit briefly.
Worthy resolution to Naruto’s life
The movie provides insight into Naruto’s later years, and it shows that he does live happily ever after in the end. For long-time fans, this must be a gratifying moment, to see the protagonist of the series finally get the reward that he has fought so hard for.
Letdowns
Awkward love story that’s not compelling
Perhaps set in the context of the “Naruto” universe, the core romance between Naruto and Hinata makes sense, but within the movie itself, their relationship falls flat. It feels one-sided and forced, with Hinata taking the initiative all the way while Naruto just passively accepts events as they come. Even Naruto’s motivation for being with Hinata comes across as a shrug and a “sure.” As a self-contained story within the movie, this love story doesn’t pay off and takes up far too much screen time.
Underwhelming action
All the fights in Act One and Act Two are humdrum affairs that look very, very ordinary. But this is a movie we’re talking about here! The action picks up in Act Three, where the fights gain more sophistication and power, but otherwise the rest of the action scenes are plain and forgettable, which is sad given that fights are one of the highlights of the series.
Vague and boring villain
Toneri, the antagonist for the movie, is… uninspired. His motivation isn’t clear – at best, it seems rather misguided and contrived, just so that he can battle Naruto and company. There’s no depth to his plan, no logic to his thinking, and no justification for his actions. He’s a villain of convenience, which makes his inclusion into the movie a waste of time.
Naruto is never in danger
At no point is Naruto ever truly in danger of failing, nor is his life really at risk. Because there’s no threat of harm to the protagonist, there’s no tension or suspense in the movie – everyone knows Naruto will win, it’s just a matter of how. This is compounded by a bland and ineffective villain, resulting in a conflict with no stakes, no uncertainty, and no struggle.
Naruto’s adult character design is disappointing
Younger Naruto, the one we see more often in the anime, is an adorable ninja whom we root for, simply because he tries so hard. Adult Naruto loses that one element that makes him human and relatable, and is instead a flawless character that wins fights easily. I understand the need to show Naruto’s character growth over the course of many years, but if the protagonist already begins without any room for improvement, how does he develop as a result of the events of the movie? If there’s no character development, then why this movie important to the character in the first place?
“The Last: Naruto the Movie” is a cumbersome attempt to tell a story, and also be the actual resolution of an entire series’ worth of story. It deviates too much into foreign territory, while failing to focus on the segments that made the anime popular and recognisable in the first place. It’s a well made movie, just not the movie that you expected to watch.
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