Summary: A new device, the Augma, is taking Japan by storm. Instead of full dive virtual reality (VR), like the Amusphere used to play the popular VRMMO Alfheim Online (ALO), the Augma is a form of augmented, or accelerated, reality (AR). This device also has a very popular game, called Ordinal Scale (OS). However, with more frequency, bosses from the VRMMO death game, Sword Art Online (SAO) are appearing in OS, and the game might not be as safe as players are led to believe.
Review
Plot: The story of Ordinal Scale is both familiar to SAO fans, and completely wonderful. Though there is a plot involving action, a suspicious game, and horrible consequences for players playing it, Ordinal Scale's focus is on the relationship of Kirito and Asuna. Now two years removed from SAO, the two have grown even closer, and it seems like Kirito might be ready to ask for Asuna's hand in marriage in the real world, though meeting her mother still unnerves him. At the same time, AR is taking off, and OS is surpassing ALO as the hottest game around. People love to play for fun, and for the various free things that can be gained by doing so. However, one player seems to be hunting down SAO survivors, and more than one winds up in a hospital. Kirito isn't impressed by OS, but Asuna and the rest of their friends from SAO enjoy it, and so most of them split their time between ALO and OS. When Asuna is injured playing OS however, Kirito is determined to solve what the real purpose of the Augma device is, and save Asuna, and all other players, from an insidious plot.
Characters: The characters of SAO are well known to fans at this point. That being the case, there is very little characterization done in this move. Fans know about Lisbeth's teasing demeanor, and Sinon's dry wit. There are a ton of great scenes of the group being friends, such as singing karaoke (Silica is quite the budding pop star) or playing arcade games in a cafe. However, Kirito and Asuna, as they often do, shine above the rest. Their relationship is one of the highlights of the movie by far, and seeing it continue to develop is sure to thrill any Kirisuna fan. There are three new characters for the movie. Two of them (the villains) are relatively dry. Their motivations make sense given the backstories they are given, but their single minded determination makes them one dimensional characters. Yuna, the third new character and pop idol sensation of OS, is a memorable character. She is an AI that exists in OS, and is instrumental to both the games existence, and the sinister plot of the villains. Her desires and wants don't necessarily mesh with the bad guys though, so seeing her act, both as the cute and cheeky pop idol, and as a serious character voicing her concerns, was wonderful.
Presentation: As with the two TV series, Ordinal Scale's animation and production values are superb. The action is slick and full of impact, while the quiet and romantic scenes do a very good job of conveying the characters' feelings. The voice actors of Kirito and Asuna (Yoshitsugu Matsuoka and Haruka Tomatsu respectively) should be commended for their roles, as they make the characters come to life. The music (again by anime icon Yuki Kajiura) is perfect, as is the singing of LiSA (the theme song) and the pop idol tunes of the AR Idol Yuna (voiced by Sayaka Kanda). Even the end credits have some surprises, as well as an after credits scene, that will make fans happy to have stayed throughout.
Entertainment Value: It is not possible that fans of SAO won't like this movie. Between the fan service (of the fandom variety, not the skin variety), action, and Kirisuna romance, everything most SAO fans love is found in the movie. For that same reason, people who don't like SAO will not be changing their minds by watching it. The only real negative is that the plot feels similar to previous stories in the SAO universe, and the final battle has a moment that, while awesome, is not explained at all. It will be very easy for SAO fans to ignore that however given all the other positives. So, this is a must see for fans of the series, and should be avoided by those who already have decided they don't like SAO.
Rating: 9.5/10 - An amazing movie that has everything SAO fans could want, but feels a little to similar plot wise to previous stories.
Sword Art Online Ordinal Scale - Feature length film: 1 hour 59 minutes.
Note: I saw the film in the fathom event on March 9th. The film does have an after credits scene that all but states that the third season of SAO will be soon, and will feature the Alcization arc of the series. Ordinal Scale is an original story that Reki Kawahara wrote just for the movie. It takes place after the Mother's Rosario Arc, and there was a very nice moment for fans of Zekken Yuuki. You can read my reviews of the first two seasons of SAO here (1) and here (2).
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