Naruto is back in a new adventure, which takes place during the anime filler arcs, apparently after episode 196. With a lineup that screams "Fight! Fight", there was a tiny letdown in the fighting department. You expect an epic battle, but instead you get a good beat down. Naruto fans will still enjoy this.

It begins with a brief voice-over summary about the ninjas and Naruto's introduction by Tsunade. Then we see Naruto, Sakura, Rock Lee and Kakashi, who are on a mission to protect Prince Michiru of the Moon Country on his journey back home. In true Naruto fashion, Michiru is rather clueless & materialistic, while his son, Hikaru, is spoilt & a pain. There is a brilliant scene during this introduction, where Michiru unwittingly belittles Sakura by saying she's too cute to be a ninja & goes all lovey-dovey on her hand. She proceeds to crush his hand, all the while with a smile on her face.

The first act is mainly about Naruto and Hikaru's strained relationship. There are two action scenes - the brief fight with some bandits (who prove to be a piece of cake) and the stormy boat ride to the Crescent Island. It also introduces Ayamo, Michiru's estranged wife. She left because of his previously mentioned qualities; he ate away his sorrows as a result. This act ends with Hikaru becoming friends with Sakura, Rock Lee and Naruto. How could I forget about the circus? Hikaru wants its sabre-toothed tiger, Cham, so Daddy naturally buys the circus. Oh and of course, Naruto gets punched by Sakura.

Naruto the Movie 3

The second act begins in the Moon Country, where the King is “dead” and Minister Shabadaba has taken the tried and tested “I must be King, so “Kill Him!”” route. We are introduced to Shabadaba's three ninja hitmen (Ishidate, Kongou, and Karenbana) during Michiru's escape attempt. Karenbana, with a poison mist that messes up your senses. Ishidate, with his Medusa gauntlet that turns people into stone on contact. Finally, Kongou, is the big dude, who is surprisingly agile. Team Konuha are thoroughly beaten, till Naruto goes all red eyes, thanks to Hikaru's cry for help. Michiru, a terrible runner, is taken to be killed later. Team Konuha, the circus, and the King's faithful soldiers decide to save Michiru. Plus, we get two brief characters - Captain Korega and the King. Korega gets “stoned” and crushed by Ishidate, while trying to save the Michiru, and the King provides his son with a bit of wisdom before he passes.

The third act begins with the rescue attempt, where there are some good fight scenes. Kakashi's water jutsu is a real sight. Karenbana and Sakura's fight scene, where Sakura makes fun of Karenbana's perfume and says she is too young to wear it, is funny since Karenbana is 22 and looks 12. Sakura’s shocked expression is priceless. Rock Lee fights Kongou, while Naruto is left with Ishidate. During their respective fights, it seems they are down for the count, but thanks to the promise they made to Hikaru, they proceed to knock their opponents out. Sakura with some patience and a powerful punch, Rock Lee with some serious speed and combos, while Naruto gets some help from Michiru, Cham, Kiki (the monkey from the circus and apparently Cham's BFF), Hikaru and a powerful Rasengan. Shabadaba is accidentally killed by Ishidate; he just wanted him to be quiet.

The movie ends with Michiru, Hikaru and Naruto making a pinky promise "never to forget" the lessons learned. During the ending credits, we see Team Konuha having some well-needed R&R, the circus and the Moon Country thriving, and Michiru exercising. We see Team Konuha leaving on a ship (Hmm...so why did they travel by road and boat?), and in the post credits Michiru hopes with his new found wisdom, that he'd be able to win back his wife.

The animation is top notch as usual, and the colors always seem to stand out to me. I am looking forward to Naruto taking the HD route. I enjoyed the fight scenes, but it could have been a tad better, since I found a few anti-climatic. Yes, it was shiny and all with Sakura's one punch knockout, but I just wanted a bit more. Kakashi didn't really do much (apart from the aforementioned jutsu) during the main fight. Rock Lee was underused, as there were scenes were he felt like an afterthought. Although, I found the brief bandit scene funny, since Hikaru was playing a fighting game on his handheld, while the actual fight was going on. The voice acting never fails; Junko Takeuchi always fascinates me with her portrayal of Naruto.

Though I always find the Naruto movies & anime always a bit formulaic - i.e. you hate/dislike them at the beginning, they become Naruto's friend due to his tenacity and past isolation, then you love them in the end. Don't believe me? Gaara, Princess Fuun, Sasuke. Scratch out the hatred bit, you've got the rest of his friends. Though the story and plot is a paint by numbers affair, it is still enjoyable.

Score