So I recently completed the Naruto series and am yet to start Shippuden. I thought of catching up on the movies that come before Shippuden in chronology and decided to watch Ninja Clash In The Land Of Snow.

Set during the early days of the anime series, the movie takes place after the episode 101. I dont remember the correct order but I think it's after they convince Tsunade to become the 5th homage as I can see few visuals from that arc.

The story is a very typical Naruto story, where the team 7 along with their sensei are sent on a mission that turns very serious halfway through. trying to rescue/escort a princess who is in hiding. They try to overthrow a tyrant. naruto uses a shadow clone. he awakens Kurama. and in the end rasengan's the villain.

oop and how did i forget naruto's famous talk-no jutsu. you know as a kid i was like you, blah blah.

Also I want to appreciate Sakura in this movie. I'm not one of those people who call sakura trash because I heard that she becomes stronger in Shippuden. but in the shounen jump series, every fight, I wait for her to do something.
Unlike the series, sakura had decent fights and really good battle IQ in the movie. I hope i see more of this in shippuden. I really wish Sakura used that jutsu in the main series

The visuals and animation in Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow are one of the film’s standout elements, helping elevate the story and action to a cinematic level beyond what fans typically see in the weekly Naruto episodes. The character animation in Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow is a noticeable upgrade from the regular anime series, with more fluidity in motion and an increased level of detail. Facial expressions are finely tuned to capture emotions

Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi are also animated with precision, their fighting styles feeling distinct yet consistent with their characters. Naruto’s movements, for example, are animated with his characteristic recklessness and speed, creating dynamic, high-energy sequences, while Sasuke’s fighting is more calculated and precise, reflecting his cool-headed nature.

However, the movie does have its limitations. The supporting characters, such as Sasuke, Sakura, and even the antagonist Doto, could have been more fleshed out. While the movie focuses heavily on Naruto and Yukie, the lack of development for other key figures leaves some parts of the narrative feeling thin. Additionally, Doto’s motivations and backstory are fairly standard for a villain, which makes him feel somewhat one-dimensional. Despite these shortcomings, the movie's emotional core and the strength of its animation more than make up for any narrative gaps.

All in all, it was a fun watch. even though it's predictable, it gives that nostalgia and dopamine hit for naruto fans. if you haven't watched it, you can go ahead and watch it just for the fun of it.