The First Slam Dunk
Composite Score: 85.7
Starring: Shugo Nakamura, Jun Kasama, Shinichiro Kamio, Subaru Kimura, and Kenta Miyake
Director: Takehiko Inoue
Writer: Takehiko Inoue
Genres: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Sport
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language, violence, and thematic elements
Box Office: $152.92 million worldwide
Why should you Watch This Film?
The First Slam Dunk is Takehiko Inoue’s reimagining of his Slam Dunk manga and anime of the 1990s, which tells the story of the Shohoku High School basketball team’s climactic game against the reigning national champion Sannoh High School. The film focuses on the speedster point guard, Miyagi Ryota, whose love of basketball is inspired by his deceased older bother’s love of the game and dream of becoming a huge basketball star. The other four Shohoku starters feature heavily in the film as well, as it flashes from their game back to their past interactions with each other – big man Akagi Takenori, sharpshooter Mitsui Hisashi, freshman star Rukawa Kaede, and freshman newcomer “genius” Sakuragi Hanamichi (the manga’s original protagonist). The film’s blend of CGI and 2D animation styles, its touching story about grief and overcoming hardship, and heart-pounding portrayal of a single game of basketball made it a huge success around the world and in the US.
Why shouldn’t you Watch This Film?
For audiences who haven’t read the manga or seen the original anime (like myself), I’m sure that there are references and nods throughout The First Slam Dunk that go uncaught or missed. There were a few moments, especially regarding Sakuragi, that felt like they were nudging the audience to remember one piece of lore or scene or something but totally went over my head. On the bright side, though, by approaching the story from the perspective of a supporting character, the film does a good job of giving all audiences (old and new) a rooting interest in the film, the characters, and the story. I never felt like I was missing out on something integral to enjoying the film because of how well-made it was from front to back, but that might not be the case for everyone.
So wait, why should you Watch This Film?
The First Slam Dunk might have a legitimate argument to be the best basketball film ever made (at the very least the best non-documentary basketball film). It recognizes what it is that makes basketball such a popular sport – the drama of individual moments that culminate in a team victory or loss. It chases this belief to its natural conclusion, exploring not just the dramatic moments of the game between Shohoku and Sannoh but also the dramatic moments of Ryota’s life that brought him here and the connections he has with everyone else on the team. It balances drama with the thrills of the ups and downs of sports and the comedy that naturally comes when high schoolers interact to form this near-perfect specimen of a sports film. The decision to focus on Ryota rather than Sakuragi gives the whole film a sense of purpose, connecting the audience to this undersized, tragic character who has dramatic beats built into every one of his interactions, and I love it. The emotional and cinematic climax of the film in the closing minutes of the film captures everything great about the sport of basketball – the camaraderie, the heartbreak, the surprises, the drama, the emotion, the athleticism – and brings it all home beautifully, aided by some excellent animation by both the CGI and 2D departments that really sell the final product. I won’t get too into any plot details to avoid spoiling how everything plays out but suffice it to say that it’s better than anything Hoosiers or Glory Road could even dream of providing.
The First Slam Dunk tells a story of gripping drama and emotion through a beautiful visual medium with a cast of memorable characters, arguably earning the title of best basketball movie ever and definitely a place among the Greatest Films of All Time. While there are some nods and references in the film that only die-hard Slam Dunk fans will get, there’s enough original and rethought content here to make a believer out of any audience member. Currently, this film is not available to stream anywhere, but if you can find it in a physical format or are in a country where it is available to stream, I highly recommend checking it out.
