I wouldn't say they went back to part 1 counterparts, rather Kishi brings out the worse of these characters in the beginning. It's as if this movie is not based on a manga or something. Anyway, the movie is about Naruto and Sakura switching sides to understand each other better. Sakura has thought people who has no family are the lucky one, which does refer to chapter 3. I guess Kishi actually wants this to be in the manga, but no time. As for Naruto, he thought if by having a family, he will have a great life. So in AU, they switched roles.
From what I can see, at first I thought the movie moral will be a little bad because I assume the movie moral is "All great things come to a end." What I mean is that they can't stay because it's fake, but it's awesome to them. That will be a bad message imo. But after reading the spoilers, now I can say that Kishi did a great job. For Sakura, the main moral for her is that she should be happy to have a family to fill her loneliness. She thought it was going to be fun, but as time progresses, you will feel lonely. It's like Home Alone. Of course, she also learns that Naruto has been suffering like this for a long time and seeing him staying happy is one tough guy. She acted like a kid when at home because of no one to tell her what to do. But now, she should be happy to be with a family, day and night. So that's the moral for her side of the story.
As for Naruto, this one is a tricky one and I really like how Kishi did his part. At first, he hated Madara for bringing his parents back to life and trying to fool him. So, he acted like Sakura, being spoiled to his parents (ex: not eating dinner, not cleaning the table). As time goes by, he actually loves it and wants to stay. The situation is different from Sakura because this is what Naruto wanted and there's no flaw to it, besides being called Menma at the start. He was so happy that not even Sakura wants to break it. The main problem is that Naruto actually wants to stay, because he has everything. Sakura was growing sad because although she don't want to ruin his happiness, she felt that Naruto would rather stay than going back alone. The fence scene is what many people highlight the most because it was the beginning of them splitting up, which is deep in the eyes of the audience. You can hear "awes" in Kishi's interview. Now, the breaking point happens. I don't know when it happens (I will ask) but Sakura tells him that she wants to go back home because they belong there where real heroes sacrificed their lives to protect the one they loved. Sakura always saw Naruto the true hero of the world, hence her shout to Menma. Naruto's side of the story moral is don't abandon your real life for something that's illusion to you. He should not live in a world that's not truly his, because his true parents' death will be all for nothing. If Naruto stays, he will be selfish to Sakura. Naruto's parents sacrificed themselves for the future (Naruto), and Naruto cannot break their wishes, hence the flashback. He knew that he was wrong to think that his life is in AU. Even he sacrifices his only chance to be with a family, he doesn't want to be selfish and wants Sakura to go home so she can be happy, so he went to rescue her with no help.
I got to say, looking back right now, this movie is a really good plot and I can see why people really enjoyed this movie a lot. I know we all going to like it extra special with all the NS moments, but I know this movie will be great standalone.
This whole post is amazing, especially the analysis of Naruto's moral story in the movie -- I was thinking something similar but just couldn't put into words. You were able to word it so eloquently on the other hand!
I love that Sakura played such a big role in his development, helping him along to that crucial realization at the end.
Sakura: I cannot abandon the village everybody protected!
I fell in love with Sakura-chan again with this scene
Sakura-chan is too awesome that it's hard
Sakura-chan's heel drop
Thanks so much for translating! I love this part especially! I cannot wait to see Sakura shining as a heroine! It sounds like she has some really great lines and fighting moves in this movie!!
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Damn! I was keeping that a secret
But, I love my new name hehehe
Your new user name is so cute!
