Besides not liking the show that much, this was a quite a surprise to me on my first viewing as Takehiko Inoue's work was fluidly translated to screen. I just started reading "Vagabond" and I was more than happy to see Inoue's style appear and shine on the big screen.
In recent years, anime (and especially its films) have been breaking more and more ground in terms of rich storytelling and in-depth characters; to which Western animated media stray away from most of the time to appease the mass audience. But with films such as the First Slam Dunk, we can see why so many film-goers are gravitated to not only Japanese animated films but Internationally animated films as a whole.
So, here are my thoughts and praises for the movie: let's dive in!
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ANIMATION
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I thought the CGI 3D-rigs of the characters would bother me at some point because I am a sucker for traditionally drawn or minimal CG animated films, but through out the film's runtime it dissolved into the background and if not helped characters to look more believable and organic, which makes the basketball playing scenes more gut-wrenching to watch, as the characters move so fluidly and full of life. Gladly, director Takehiko Inoue managed to find the line between almost traditional looking and CGI animation, allowing it to not steer into the uncanny valley. And besides Puss in boots: The Last Wish, I personally think that this film had THE best animated scene of the year (not gonna spoil it though).
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STORY
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As I told I held low expectations for the story when walking into this film, as I wasn't much of a fan of the first few episodes of Slam dunk in my initial viewing, so when it came to this, I was not expecting a well-written film with layered and complex characters; as it flows almost flawlessly between protagonist Miyagi's story and the Big match. I didn't know the characters quite well before watching this film, but now I love them alot more, and that's alot. Not a moment is wasted in this movie, and certain moments are very reminiscent of an Edward Yang film: which takes its time to breathe and does not go for cheap tricks by the book. With or without seeing the manga or the show, it is a rewarding watch for either of the two: serving as a welcome and a farewell.
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CONCLUSION
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I should have watched this alot sooner as The First Slam Dunk stands as likely the best Animated film of 2022 (with respect to Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio and the Last Wish), the animation was a great mix of 3D and 2D, and had a strong back-bone of a plot to hold everything together, as this is the perfect introduction to those who haven't watched the show and a great finale to those that did.
P.S: Now can't wait for Vagabond to be adapted now T-T.
CONCLUSION
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I should have watched this alot sooner as The First Slam Dunk stands as likely the best Animated film of 2022 (with respect to Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio and the Last Wish), the animation was a great mix of 3D and 2D, and had a strong back-bone of a plot to hold everything together, as this is the perfect introduction to those who haven't watched the show and a great finale to those that did.
P.S: Now can't wait for Vagabond to be adapted now T-T.