Naruto, everybody's favorite hyperactive knucklehead, and his fellow ninja-in-training Sakura and Sosuke complete their first major mission in this popular martial arts comedy-adventure. While Sakura defends the bridge builder and Kakashi grapples with renegade assassin Zabuza, Naruto and Sosuke have to put aside their personal animosity to tackle Haku, Zabuza's super-fast, needle-throwing cohort. Haku employs a secret
jutsu to conjure a mirrored structure of ice that enables him to shift among multiple reflections, like Rita Hayworth in
The Lady from Shanghai. The filmmakers suggest that Naruto may have the resources to achieve his dream of becoming
Hokage (head ninja) when a seal leaks some of the power of the nine-tailed fox demon trapped within his body. Once the fight on the bridge ends, Naruto, Sosuke and Sakura must prepare for the Chunin exams, which will allow them to advance to the next stage of training. Junior ninja from the Hidden Nations of Sound, Rain, Water Fall, Sand, and Wind assemble in Leaf Village. All the other candidates have much more experience than the home-town rookies, but Sosuke's icy excellence immediately attracts challengers. Annoyed at the attention Sosuke's receiving, Naruto reverts to his trademark mixture of braggadocio and clumsiness. The exams are designed to eliminate all but the most promising ninja, and the candidates must figure out just what they're being tested on. Only the best will survive: Believe it! (Unrated, suitable for ages 12 and older: violence, alcohol and tobacco use)
--Charles Solomon 14. The Number One Hyperactive, Knucklehead Ninja Joins the Fight, 15. Zero Visibility: The Sharingan Shatters, 16. The Broken Seal, 17. White Past: Hidden Ambition, 18. The Weapons Known as Shinobi, 19. The Demon in the snow, 20. A New Chapter Begins: The Chunin Exam! 21. Identify Yourself: Powerful New Rivals, 22. Chunin Challenge: Rock Lee vs. Sasuke, 23. Genin Takedown! All Nine Rookies Face Off! 24. Start Your Engines: The Chunin Exam Begins! 25. The Tenth Question: All or Nothing!)
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