NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: THE MOVIE
May 17th 2010 06:45
Category: Videos
Based on the Naruto manga by: Masashi Kishimoto
Director: Hajime Kamegaki
Screenplay by: Junki Takegame
Producers: Mikihiko Fukazawa, Shoji Matsui & Kazuteru Oshikiri
Starring: Maile Flannigan (Naruto), Kate Higgins (Sakura), Steve Staley (Neji Hyuga), Brian Donovan (Rock Lee), Vic Mignogna (Yomi), Keith Silverstein (Setsuna), Wally Wingert (Kusuna), Wil Wheaton (Shizuku & Taruho), Laura Bailey (Shion & Miroku), Daran Norris (Moryo), Megan Hollingshead (Shizune), Debi Mae West (Tsunade), Skip Stellerecht (Might Guy), Dave Wittenberg (Kakashi Hatake & Gitai), Tara Platt (Temari) & Tom Gibis (Shikamaru Nara)
English Version produced by: VIZ Media LLC
Released by: Madman Entertainment
Running Time: 94 minutes Rating: M
Naruto is Dead? That’s what the back cover on this DVD exclaims in bold lettering, which when you give this even just a moment’s thought is rather silly, if he was dead then a Naruto Shippuden movie with a deceased main character sounds rather lame. Usually the people who produce the disc are trying to draw your attention and make you want to buy this, understandable naturally that’s why they’re in the business of selling anime DVDs, but you have to wonder whether or not with attempts like this if they’re marketing budget is being spent wisely. So what is going on in this first Naruto Shippuden movie? And is it at the end of the day worthwhile getting my hands on and watching Green Lantern?
Let’s address the first question raised here, the issue of the story that unfolds in this particular movie. Shippuden is deviating much away from the formula that makes the backbone of the entire television series as well as the manga, namely that guts, determination, loyalty to friends and community and faith are important aspects within the shinobi world of Naruto and in varying levels drive the protagonists. Mixed in with this is the notion that the world is a fleeting thing, that evil is as much a product of the people within the world, that the very material desires we seek to assuage are a cause of suffering and the price of freedom and existence is eternal vigilance to borrow a line from the Wing Commander series of computer games. All sounds like stirring stuff and there are also moments of sorrow and pathos that will bring a tear or two to your eyes.
Rage rage against the dying of the light as Dylan Thomas declaimed and that is very much a part of Naruto’s ethos, to not lie down and give up regardless of the situation. In his eyes there is no hopeless cause, no pointless endeavour there is only the will to strive, to move onwards and become something better, something greater. Assigned to the bodyguard of a priestess vital to preventing the end of the world; Naruto, Neji, Rock Lee and Sakura are willing to put their life on the line to fulfil this mission. Although when they eventually meet their charge, the priestess Shion, they are not so sure their charge and whether she can cut the mustard in what she has to do. Certainly the young priestess herself is not exactly entirely confident about how she can fulfil the role destiny it seems has put before her, a destiny that was determined before she was born, or was it…
Moryo, an evil entity whose soul and body where separated and sealed away by the Priestess of the Land of Ogres in the past, has been summoned back into the world. He sought to conquer the continent and form the kingdom of a thousand years and in the end instead had his soul separated from his body and the two sealed from the world where hopefully he would no longer threaten society in its inhabitants. Shame that unfortunately even though he has be sealed away and divided there are those who wish to herald his return, one being the dark medical ninja Yomi who with his four henchmen embarks on bringing Moryo back into the world. Throw into this evil scheme an army of animated terracotta warriors who relentless destroy any foes in their path and you can see that the rest of the world is about to get a serious case of unstoppable rampaging horde.
But even though it looks as if Moryo and his vessel Yomi are holding all the cards in a deck that they have so kindly stacked in their favour there are some potential flies in the ointment. The most obvious one is the young priestess Shion who has the means to seal away Moryo; her power can put an end to the demon and his minions. The other fly in the ointment is the Hidden Leaf ninja and in particular our indomitable protagonist, they are not likely to just let Moryo, his ninja henchmen and his relentless terracotta legions rampage all over the world conquering all and sundry. The Five Great Nations are all focused on preventing the terracotta legions, they know the potential danger of Moryo and have combined to deal with it, but at the end of the day it all hinges on Naruto and Shion pulling through and putting the dread dark fiend to his rest. So is it worth your while to get this DVD? It certainly is, you’ll cheer, you’ll laugh and you’ll cry and at the end of it all you’ll realise that you’ve just watched a good, entertaining feature length anime…BELIEVE IT!
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