It wasn't really important as this was a practice match. The movie itself chose to conclude on an inspirational statement about fighting spirit... The outcome itself had no importance. The match was more like of a reality check that Oda needed, in addition of a good check-up for Shohoku.
What is mostly at the core of the movie is the parallelism of Oda and Sakuragi's state of mind.
The former started Basketball early on in middle school, flaring up with enthusiasm. He enjoyed himself at this time, which made him happy in return. In high school, he gradually lost of sight what made him love the sport in the first place, preoccupied he was by competing against the best regional teams. His deeply rooted denial even led him to smite his girlfriend when confronted to her brutal honesty.
Sakuragi's tangent is all the contrary: a no-good thug during middle school, but upon playing alongside Shohoku he demonstrated that he was just in need of a meaningful activity to channel his high-spirit. His utter lack of in-game sense was counterbalanced by this... Sakuragi wasn't as much concerned about self improvement as focusing on antagonization. This is something evidenced by the quote "My adversary isn't you, it is Basket", that made Oda realize that he had become a goon hiding behind a sportsman persona.
I can get behind the movie's aim, but the catharsis occurred too suddenly, only backed by Sakuragi desperate attempts to get broken loose balls. It lacked pathos. A 45 minutes movie would have been the way to go to stage the gradual shift between public hostility and general reverence.[/quote]
Wow man. Great response from my lackluster post.. been a while since I've seen the film, but you've made me want to check it out again with your insight. Thanks, buddy. |