Whenever an existing property starts churning out individual films, it's worth asking how accessible those films will be for someone who has no more than passing knowledge of the prior material. In this case, at least, one's concerns are laid to rest very swiftly, for 'One Piece: The movie' is written such that there is no need to be particularly familiar with either the anime or the manga to enjoy it. We're thrown headlong into a wild, fantastical, cartoonish and comedic adventure, and it's not really important that we know anything about the characters or the world they inhabit. Yes, knowing some basic info may help one to appreciate it all the more. Yet this 2000 flick was clearly designed with a mind for introducing new viewers to the franchise, or giving established fans another small taste - and the result really is a blast!
The one issue I have here is that the pacing is ridiculously swift; dialogue, gags, action, and entire scenes flash before our eyes and are here and gone in an instant. I don't know if this was strictly a choice of director Shimizu Junji or if Toei and the other production companies had something to do with it, but one way or another, this needed to slow down by 5-10% just so it could be taken in and digested as any picture would. At only just over fifty minutes long, it's not as if a more restrained pace would have been prohibitive, either, and we get at least eighty minutes' worth of story in that time. Still, if that's the worst thing I have to say about this first installment in the movie series, then it's done pretty well for itself. It's not an essential must-see, but for something light and fun, there's really no going wrong here.
Strictly speaking one might say that the art style in this specific title is less sophisticated than in other anime, arguably being a tad simplistic with bold, stark colors almost seemingly serving as a substitute for more refinement. Much the same verbiage could be applied to the plot that Shimada Michiru whipped up, with the foremost action and comedy of the adventure taking the place of a meatier narrative. But don't take these words to mean that 'One Piece: The movie' is distinctly deficient; on the contrary, it remains very worthy on its own merits, with much to admire, and we may just take note of such differences relative to other works. By and large the animation is terrific, with welcome detail and texture, fluid movement, and vibrant hues across the board, seen in lovely backgrounds and settings, fetching character designs, fast-paced action sequences, and more. That the series makes use of examples of hyper-exaggerated facial expressions and character reactions, a staple of the more frivolous side of animated fare, is part off the joy of watching, and well in keeping with a world of supernatural abilities, unusual creatures, and non-human characters. And whatever else is true of the plot, meanwhile, it is most assuredly entertaining, and earnestly engaging and compelling even in accordance with how the feature presents.
A cast of characters as colorful as the fundamental imagery contributes to the reverie of humor both witty and silly, and action of all stripes, amidst scenes that are splendidly flavorful across the board. And when all is said and done the film even manages to carry a note of heartfelt sincerity on top of it all, concluding the diminutive tale on an especially rewarding note to wrap everything up. It remains the case that this isn't something to wholly demand viewership, but it really is a great time exactly as it is - and, speaking as someone who has never touched the franchise heretofore, I can honestly say that my interest is piqued, and I'd love to explore much more of it if I have the opportunity. Unless you're already a devotee there's no need to go out of your way for 'One Piece: The movie,' but it's well worth checking out if you have the opportunity, and I'm pleased to give it my enthusiastic recommendation!
