Title: Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower
Director: Masahiko Murata
Studio: Toho
U. S. Distributor: Viz Media
U. S. Release Date: Sept. 17th, 2013
Format: DVD / Feature Film / 85 Minutes
Genre: Shonen, Supernatural, Action, Adventure
Age Rating: TV 14
Overall Personal Rating: B
Synopsis:
The Rogue Ninja Mukade is about to be caught by Naruto’s team when he summons forth the power of the Ley Line – an ancient underground channel of chakra. Naruto gets caught up in the chakra and is sent back in time to the city of Loran, known for its thousand towers. There he encounters the future Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, on a top-secret mission and the Queen of Loran, Sara, whose rule is threatened by Mukade. Will Naruto be able to return to his own time, and can a chance encounter in the past save the future?
Commentary:
In the world of Naruto the movies are always a straight forward take on the famous Naruto frame of mind and The Lost Tower is no exception. With the action coming at you in the opening scenes it doesn’t take long before the premiss is set up. The one major difference about The Lost Tower is that time travel comes into play. It takes Naruto away form his familiar team, but gives him another group to bond with that is very important to his life and he just is too busy to realize it. There is one major addition to this other team that adds a little fun to the story. I’m not going to spoil it for and no it is not the Fourth Hokage.
The movies is set up with some very familiar plot devices, such as a princess in distress and an evil advisor bent on ruling instead. I guess that if all else fails the writing staff and come up with another “save the princess” story to make a movie about. Although it is clear that this plot line is something overused, but in this case I didn’t really mind it so much. The one thing that bothered me was the sheer naivety that Naruto continues to exhibit. When faced with his new allies and with his predicament explained to him, he doesn’t seem to connect the dots and realize who he is working with. And then at the end when his team leader, Yamato, returns to the story he knows exactly what is going on and who he is in the presence of. This blind simpleton aspect of Naruto has always been a sore spot with me and in this movie it is the one thing that stands out as it’s blatant weakness.
Overall Grade: B
With so much of this film following a standard format I still found it very entertaining and even with Naruto’s blank canvas of a mind I overcame my frustration and came away liking it very much. In the world of Naruto movies I can’t place this one close to the top, but it is solidly in the middle of the pact. For all those hard core Naruto fans I can only think that they will be pleased, For anyone who is coming to Naruto for the first time I can say that story just might be even more fun for them.
Extra:
There is a short feature that is included. Naruto and his friends come across a magical genie in a bottle. The time has come for the last wish, but Naruto just may squander it!
