Review of Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale

When it comes to SAO series, I know it's going to a huge hype, filled with potential to make it a modern masterpiece. I mean, the concept itself is magnificent. A sucker to those who have a passion for gaming, RPG and leveling up. In my mind, I pray with all my heart, that the movie won't become another lackluster show with quick cash grab. That somehow, the director might listen to all the criticisms and backlashes from the previous works, rise like a phoenix and reborn their collective thoughts into something mesmerizing. However, that prayer was not answered. As I was presented that same tragedy thathappened to its predecessors.

I want to shout out to the animations first as they were definitely top-notch. Fight scenes, background sceneries, heartfelt moments, smooth transition paired with emotional music and intense tunes. Those alone, carried the show heavily on its back.

But what makes a show a masterpiece is not flashy animation or cute moe characters.

It's the story. It's the development. It's in the characters.

We have seen many paragons of those masterpieces before and they certainly didn't have any of those.

Before I start my bashing, here are the highlights.

※ STRENGTH ※
- Art. When it comes to SAO, you could definitely let yourself go and enjoy the beautiful craftsmanship of the artists.

- Ships are back. Yes, your one and only SS Asuna x Kirito cruise is ready to take off once again. Leaving all the other irrelevant girls, I mean boats, behind.

- Beautifully-made. Even though I could not comprehend the logic of what Asuna and many others are saying. She sure is beautiful when she talks and smile, the way she was animated just carried all of that emotional weight. May have touched my heart more than it should.

- Concept. Damn SAO. Back again with another new game mode. Instead of guns and fairies, bringing it into reality. Sneaky sneaky but if the idea of free coupons exists, count me in.

- Bath scene. Looks like they didn't bother to censor the "best" part of the movie, A+ decision. Thank you for the treat.

※ WEAKNESS ※
- Illogical. Skip around and you'll think that you are watching some sort of different arc. HA. Doesn't that remind you of season 1 and 2? The logics don't stay and it's all over the place. One example being in reality, Eiji can do frontflip and be Sonic-level but can people actually run that fast? Or front flip like it's breathing. Don't even need to mention how Asuna somehow gets memory back.

- Are they even trying anymore? Next up, on SAO Movie, Kirito becomes a doctor and Asuna becomes a nurse and they both have to save patients in DO (Doctor Online). Next up, on SAO OVA, Kirito plays against Blank (Sora and Shiro) in DISO (Disboard Online). Final movie, Kirito secretly buys 18+ game and plays FAKKUO (Fakku Online). What I am trying to say is that they are at the point that they can spew out anything, there will be people who will worship it.

- Lack of build-up. So weak. Could have added extra excitement scene to contribute to climax. Maybe how he almost loses everyone in the process. Or maybe how Asuna completely lose memory. The weight was minuscule compare to his reward of winning. Every action should have weight. It wasn't satisfying to watch because there was no build-up to the glorious moment where Kirito wins all.

- MC's divine blessing. Predictable that Kirito was going to win-it-all. No, he isn't going to get falter. No, no matter how strong other people are, he is going to 100% triumphant. Why? Cause he's Kirito.

- From couch potato to Olympic athlete. It is incredibly profound for me to see someone like Kirito, completely disinterested in the AR become some sort of god of sport within 30 minutes. He trained for 10 seconds and now he's number 1 not in virtual reality but IRL. Oh please.

- Side characters are just side dishes. In fact, the show could have functioned well without all the extra girls to fanservice the audience. Little backstory. Little emotional impact. Little screentime. Felt like they were just there to show how much of a slave they are to their master, Kirito.

- Weak executions. In fact, this completely reminds of Eiji. Filled with the potential to make himself stand out and shine brightly. But made poor decisions *cough* and ultimately still irrelevant as a side dish character.

Would I watch again? No. Spare me as I rather imagine my own version of how this should turn out.

Would I recommend? If you are an avid fan, I say give it a watch due to animation, transition, artwork etc. Just don't take the story seriously and you'll be set. Basically, what happened with the previous SAO.

Ultimately. This show had potential.

And one of my biggest pet peeves is when a show had potential but doesn't fully act upon it.

The idea of virtual reality is interesting. Bringing it to everyday life = wow level. Game that involves you physically exercising = POKEMON GO feels. Backstory of Yuna and Eiji to give even more feels? = Nah, we gotta show more Kirito doing Kirito stuff. Screw those side dish characters.

It's sad. Honestly. But what can you expect from a series that had potential but failed twice in a row.

Oh wait. Nevermind, it's the third time now.