Story (and execution)
If you skip first half (or all) of SAO season 1 for some reason, you can start from this movie
SAO is the series who brought Isekai (or anime on that matter) to mainstream audience. Contrast to feel-good isekais that flood the market later, it immediately give not-so-subtle message by giving both body count and telling that the involved party can’t escape. Even though it seem sort of material for a movie, this is a movie with videogame as premise (tutorial, grinding, planning raid) for 2 hours. If you think that’s too much you haven’t play MMO for real (I hope ‘2 hour’ part of the premise don’t discourage you)
Character
You will see the aforementioned gist of playing MMO from the eyes of newbie (Asuna) and that’s how you show the rosy-colored part of playing game. That’s why gamers play even in between time they become jaded and just pursuing numbers. Having Asuna as the main enchance the range of emotion this movie could show
Atmosphere (I guess this is how story is executed)
I watched Weathering With You in normal 2D, that’s 10/10 atmosphere material that combine saturation of rain and sound. Both can’t be used here.
Instead this movie show the grip of getting trapped in other world, and that’s the first thing you need to get your audience into these kind of ‘trapped in game’ scenario. What follow afterward are affirmation of how players brutally die from mob while our pov character watch (disclaimer, at this point some viewers who accustomed to just watching other players die might feel detached but that’s just majority of gamers). And silverlink manage to do it to make the premise believably scary.
Now what’s so special about 4D theater? Feeling how mob get beaten up, how Asuna accelerating and getting physical feeling of battling mobs other than your fingers hitting buttons.
This is anime entertainment in its highest form (until they make VR movie, that’s why I bought another ticket)
Animation
In relation to animation, the game’s Switch system, Asuna’s constant lunging and and players aggroing enemies give reason to show us delicious camera circling animation
Sound
Choir? They can still use Kalafina? When I hear screaming lady I had a hunch it was Lisa. I knew it was lisa. I can’t comment on anything in particular here. 6, elevated to 7 for songs. Day+1 edit, I remember the Kalafina-esque choir that herald strong enemies and help give tense atmosphere. +1
As anime I give it 9 but as movie experience a solid 10. I wish I can drag other people irl to watch this
