Story:
Being the first installment in a four-part series of movies adapting the persona 3 game, this movie has the task of adapting possibly the least narratively interesting part of the game. Of course, it still does this quite well, but the pacing is little bit funky. Things seem to be moving very fast, except when there's a specific action scene, where they take the appropriate amount of time they need. I think the pacing was done quite well during the climax, but it still left a fair bit to be desired when it brushes over a school exam in less than 30 seconds.
Art:
Because this is an anime movie with a higher average budget than a tv series, it would naturally have a higher quality of animation. This alone explains why the animation in this movie is so damn beautiful. It not only portrays the characters' facial expressions well, but it goes above and beyond in making such pretty animation to the point where you get a highly detailed shot of a coffee can. I can't commend enough the brilliant work done by AIC. The later movies in this film series are animated by A1 pictures, and from what I can tell, there's almost no visual difference between this movie and the others. At least from the trailers.
Sound:
This movie mainly includes the OST featured in the base Persona 3 game, but it also has a few original songs, such as a brand new remix of the game's opening 'burn my dread' and the ending song 'more than one heart'. I in particular love the ending credits song, since it has such a happy feeling to it in an otherwise dark plot.
The voice acting in this movie is clear and succinct, as well as being fitting for the characters. I would have preferred if there was some sort of English dub for these movies, but I'm not mad that there isn't one.
Character:
For the most part, the characters from the P3 game are intact, with little significant changes made to them. The only exception to this being the main protagonist, who has had significant characterization in this movie series. The first movie portrays him as an aloof, blunt person who has the potential to be empathetic and caring when he needs to be. There is character development shown in the first movie, but it isn't the entire package, just enough to satisfy it's 100 minute run time.
