SPY x FAMILY CODE: White

I watched the movie with my friends on Discord during a group watch, and we spent more time discussing the film's flaws than enjoying it.

Before diving into the review, I want to mention that I enjoy the SPY x FAMILY manga. It's entertaining and heartwarming, although it has been dragging a bit in the latest chapters. Given the manga's popularity, a movie adaptation seemed promising, especially with Studio Wit (known for Attack on Titan, Vinland Saga, and Great Pretender) and CloverWorks (responsible for DARLING in the FRANXX, Persona 5 the Animation, The Promised Neverland, Wonder Egg Priority, and SPY x FAMILY) on board.

The film is directed by Takashi Katagiri, who is making his directorial debut. While he has experience as an assistant director, episode director, and storyboard artist on shows like Great Pretender, Vivy -Fluorite Eye's Song-, Attack on Titan Season 2, SPY x FAMILY (the TV series), and Bubble, this debut reveals some of his inexperience.

The movie's first major flaw is its clumsy exposition. It starts with an infodump about the show and manga, intended for newcomers but executed poorly. This lazy approach, rather than relying on the animation and voice acting to convey the characters' motivations organically, disrupts the film's flow.

As for the plot, it lacks originality. It feels as though the director and writers attempted to cram several chapters or episodes into a 1 hour and 50-minute runtime, resulting in a bloated narrative. The first half of the movie features a mundane slice-of-life scenario involving Yor, Loid, and Anya trying to make a cake for the principal in exchange for a star. From the start, it’s clear this is a filler movie, and it's obvious Anya won’t earn the star, as it would break the series' continuity.

The second act introduces the film’s original villain, who, as expected from a Shounen filler movie, is one-dimensional and forgettable. There is a well-animated sequence, but it is marred by what seems like an inappropriate and cringeworthy focus on bodily functions, which was intended to be humorous but fell flat.

The voice acting is excellent, and there are a few decent moments, but the comedy and misunderstandings involving Yor and Loid come off as forced and artificial compared to the manga.

The movie's main issues are its pacing, mediocre direction, and a budget that feels more suited to TV anime rather than a feature film. For studios like Wit and CloverWorks, this is disappointing. Even films from the 80s and 90s outshine this in terms of quality. Although the animation and art style improve in the final act, this doesn’t excuse the film’s shortcomings, especially for such a significant IP. (The poorly integrated real flame effects during the Yor vs. cyborg fight scenes were particularly glaring.)

Overall, I do not recommend this movie. It’s better to watch the anime or read the manga instead, as this film fails to serve as a worthwhile introduction to the series.