Important Note: Since this movie is part of an existing anime series obviously you have to watch the TV stuff to know all the characters. But I doubt anyone would watch this movie without having watched the other series or who's reading the manga.
Plot/Story: Hero Academia has since its first season been called a stereotypical story that's been done right, and I agree with that. To start of, this movie happens after season 2 and before season 3 of the TV anime. The plot of this movie is that All Might invites Midoriya to attend a hero gadget exhibition on the self-sufficient artificial island I-Island. While on the island a group of villains breaks into the security and barrikades a tower where a gala is being held. Of course Midoriya and others have to best up villains and save the day. A very typical story indeed. An interesting thing is that at the start of the movie we get to see All Might in his younger days. I would lie if I would tell you that this movie's plot is very good. In fact, I was able to detect and call out the plot twists of the movie from the moment they were set up. Which is during the first 20 minutes, mind you. But this is not important since this movie is a franchise movie and just fanserive for people who like MHA and to earn a lot of money for the following fourth season of MHA. I'm pretty sure that's the case. Now I don't know if this movie is Canon but from past experiences it is most certainly not. A franchise movie such as this one cannot live off of the main cast, it has to bring up great new movie-only characters and a great contained story. Does this movie have this? Ehh, not really. There is a very interesting device in this movie that Midoriya uses which is probably the most interesting part, although it is in the movie solely for the purpose of that Midoriya can do what he does and to make the movie more interesting. Apart from that the movie fails in creating a story that is well written and crafted, as well as out of the ordinary for once. The plot is quite predictable and does not have any holding in deep questions or anything like that. A very typical hero movie with MHA slapped onto it.
Art: It's Studio Bones, okay. From that alone you can at least give this movie 8 points. Notable in art and animation is the final fight and that's it. They really kept the animation to a more grounded level, possibly in order to not waste too much money so that there is still some left for the next season and to further increase the amount of profit generated from the movie.
Sound: Normally I would give them credit for using the very popular and good MHA hype soundtrack. Yoh know, that one track that's really good and everyone knows it. Of course it is used in this movie, and of course it's a good song. But you can't just rely on already used songs and tracks. What I like to see are new compositions, but frankly, I don't remember any BGMs standing out enough that I still remember them after 1 day. As for SFX, of course they are there but that's to be expected. Nothing noteworthy here.
Charcaters: Because this is a franchise movie none of the TV main cast can get seriously injured, or anything of that sort. So the main cast can't be touched basically. So the other way is to have a good cast of new characters. First there is David Shield, a gadget developer and friend of All Might. He's what you expect from a friend of him. However, that's all there is to him: A good guy. And while I liked the plot arc of him in this movie, it left depth to be desired. Im sure the story board lead could've done better. Now to his daughter, Melissa Shield and the much better character. All around one of the only reasons this movie even has people like it. I'm not going into detail what her deal is because that would be spoiler. One thing that I can say is that our boy Midoriya had a great connection to her and Melissa was the best character in this movie, period. Sadly I cannot go into more detail but she's a good girl. Now to the villains. They are villains. That's pretty much it. As one dimensional as All for One. Throwaway characters to fill in spots for a villain. And again, that is suchh a shame. You can make great villains, why not do something like making David and the main villain know each other or the villain having a personal vendetta against Melissa or All Might. But no. Nothing. And because there is nothing I will also not remain here.
Overall enjoyment and verdict: Did I enjoy this movie. Of course I did, it's MHA. The characters we know and love are the reason we watched this movie in the first place. But that does not cloud my eyes from the mediocracy that is the plot and the much to be desired new characters. Would I recommend this movie? For people who like MHA, yes. They will like it. It s pretty much fanservice for us who like MHA and a money-maker movie, nothing more. I give this movie a 7/10 for being a MHA title and having a great final battle with great animation.
And that's it for me for this review. See you in the next review.
