I remember first settling down to try and get into it a year or two ago. I found the anime...well...it wasn't bad, but wasn't great either. It wasn't until about episode 2 or 3 when Naruto had diarreha that my mind snapped and I thought..."Holy shit, I'm watching a cartoon where a character is literally taking a shit...repeatidly." That got me hooked I have to say....then that whole arc about the bridge brought the series crashing down. Whiny characters, generic plot and overacting....lots and lots of overacting.
The series perks up here and there, when the characters actually get on with things, when they're not going through lengthy half-hour explanations of how they learned a move, or why their sister is a little big-headed or whatever. Hell, most of the so called 'fight scenes' are mostly Naruto just standing there with clenched teeth, occasionally spouting a cliche line.
Naruto certainly follows that standard anime storyline. Loud, obnoxious character wants to be the best at something (Ninja, Pirate, Pokemon Trainer, etc). There's a friend who's often quiet and actually more skilled then the main character, but is usually laid back in the main characters shadow. Thirdly is 'The Girl', trying to not be a typical girl, she'll be angry, violent and dislike the main character, but still fancies him...alot, but will never admit it. They go from place to place, occasionally saying "I'm trying to be the best Ninja/Pirate/Pokemon trainer/etc, but I'll stop to help this village/person/group for the next few episodes." Padding, or should I say 'fillers?' Most animes seem to follow this formula, well, alot of the long running mainstream ones. Yes its a little harsh to call most animes that, but from what I've seen I'm pretty much on the mark...
So...yeah, I'd say Naruto's gona a bit far, but what the hell do I know. You might like it, don't take my word for it.