Michael's Movie Grade: B
A really fun Japanese animated action movie.
The heart of this film lies in its main characters. Our main protagonist, Asuna is an incredibly likable and relatable character. It does not take long for us to learn to truly care for this character and because of this, she becomes the emotional center of the film and keeps this fantasy movie feeling much more real to us. Her growth and change as a character are also completely believable and never once feel rush or forced. Instead, they feel perfectly natural. What is even better is how well her relationships with the other two main characters are handled. These relationships are completely believable and are more complex than they are just friends. Not only do you want to see our main character make it out alive, but you are also fascinated but what will happen next in these relationships and when the characters are apart you can't wait to see them meet up again. That is hugely because the chemistry is so good and the characters become even better when they share the screen. This movie also benefits from excellent action scenes. As the film takes place in a video game world, many of these fights are based on RPG games. It is obvious that the film makers really enjoy these games and they perfectly capture what makes them so much fun with these action scenes. The climatic fight scene is especially excellent. The filmmakers' appreciation for video games is also scene in how well they build the world the film takes place in. As well as the action scenes this movie also has some emotional scenes that work extremely well. A scene where two of our main characters witness a tragedy in a dungeon and the effect it has on them will definitely stay with you after the film is over. Another major action scene with those two characters is also pretty emotionally powerful.
On the downside the early scenes before we enter the video game world will feel all too familiar with many movie goers and especially anime fans. This is not to say they are bad, but they definitely pale in comparison with what happens later. Also, as great as our three main characters are, the rest of the characters are pretty bland and honestly walking cliches. Those characters also too often speak in dialogue that too obviously feels like exposition.
All in all, this a delightful film that will delight movie and anime fans very much. I personally am looking forward to seeing the sequel.
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