Pirate Movie

A desert may seem like an unlikely place for pirates, but Luffy and his Straw Hat crew fight for Princess Vivi in the eighth One Piece movie, subtitled "The Desert Princess and the Pirates: Adventures in Alabasta." Crocodile and his Baroque Works gang foment a civil war in Alabasta, so they can control the country after most of its warriors have been killed. Crocodile also hopes to gain control of the Pluton, an ultimate weapon that may or may not exist. But Luffy and the Straw Hats charge to Vivi's rescue. Having eaten the Suna Suna or Sand Fruit, Crocodile can turn any part of his body into sand--a trick that may remind viewers of Gaara in Naruto. The climactic battle between the two pirate leaders pits Crocodile's sand transformations against Luffy's Gum Gum limbs and wits. Despite its title, One Piece: Movie 8 consists of recut footage from the "Alabasta" story arc of the TV series with some bits of additional animation. The repurposed footage doesn't always fit together: the film opens in the middle of an adventure and some important story elements get lost in the shuffle, including how Luffy is saved from the poisoned wound Crocodile inflicts. These inconsistencies probably won't bother One Piece fans. (Rated PG-13: violence, risqué humor, tobacco use) --Charles Solomon