I recognize the effort put into trying to make this movie good, but while I applaud the attempt, it doesn’t quite get there for me. I think it mostly has to do with the conflicting elements this film has. It was jarring for me to see some modern features added to Naruto, which I always thought to be situated in older times. Even the clothes of some of the new characters contrast with the more traditional attire of our main characters, and it just looks uneven. The film also has a sci-fi-esque quality to it, with the Land of Snow’s emphasis on technology, and it feels a little out of place in the world of Naruto. The presence of the camera crew also ruins a lot of the mood for me, turning dramatic moments into something bizarre. I know the main series always combines lightheartedness with deeper and more serious themes, but the film’s silly movie premise not only manages to make these two clash, but renders them ineffective as well.
I do, however, appreciate how experimental they are with some parts of this movie, even though it doesn’t work out that well and the main plot line is fairly uninspired and involves the usual story beats. It’s also interesting to experience a different location aside from the usual villages. Sakura does some fighting here, which is something I always look forward to, and Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi are their usual selves.
It’s not completely bad, but neither is it something I recommend.
