Bayside Shakedown: The Movie 2 (2003) [Film Review]

Bayside Shakedown: The Movie 2; or, Close The Rainbow Bridge!
     If the leader is good then the group is strong.
It has been a lot wait for Odoru Daisousasen fans back in 1998. After 5 years, Odoru Daisōsasen Za Mūbī Tsū Reinbōburizzi o Fūsaseyo!, a sequel to the first movie, arrived on the Japanese screens and proved to be the biggest, the most explosive, and the most daring entry of the whole franchise. Needless to say, it was a box office hit for nine consecutive weeks and it dominates the chart of the highest grossing films in Japan (over 17 billion yen) as the most successful live-action Japanese film to date. It’s time to talk about Bayside Shakedown: The Movie 2.
Release Info
Directed by: Katsuyuki Motohiro Starring: Yuji Oda, Toshiro Yanagiba, Eri Fukatsu, Chosuke Ikariya
Original title: 踊る大捜査線 THE MOVIE2 レインボーブリッジを封鎖せよ!
Language: Japanese Runtime: 138 min
 
Synopsis
A series of strange and brutal murders of company executives takes place on the Odaiba island. Even though it is within the jurisdiction of the Wangan Station, the HQ takes over the investigation. Meanwhile, Aoshima (Yuji Oda) and Sumire (Eri Fukatsu) are preoccupied with their own cases of a mugging family and a vampire on the loose. Superintendent Muroi (Toshiro Yanagiba) asks them to put these on hold and assist in the murder investigation. Wangan detectives have no idea that they are about to deal with the most devious and clever villains so far. When head of the investigative team, Okita (Miki Maya), makes a failure after a failure, it is up to Aoshima and Muroi to join forces and catch the killers.
 
This is Odoru Daisousasen alright but on steroids! Right from the start we are served with an action-packed opening as Aoshima and his friends take down the SAT team during a counter-terrorism exercise. Nevertheless, the movie quickly shifts gears to a standard police drama with meticulous investigation of serial murders, yet a fast-pace and high doses of humour are maintained throughout the picture.
 
Similarly to the first theatrical film, this one also relies on the issues of hierarchy and bureaucracy. In fact, these are the driving themes of the picture as we watch Okita (brilliantly played by Miki Maya) not giving a damn about everything except for her own promotion. In consequence of such an approach, Yukino is kidnapped and Sumire gets injured in the line of duty. Only when Muroi steps in does the chase after the killers become the real deal. However, nobody is able to close the Rainbow Bridge. From the downsides, I think that probably the criminals themselves were a bit of a disappointment.
 
About performances, Yuji Oda and Toshiro Yanagiba played their hearts out in this sequel. You can literally feel the anguish of their characters with regard to their “promise” of making a difference in the police force. This conflict, on the other hand, is transposed onto the relation between Detective Waku (Chosuke Ikariya) and the Commissioner (Shigeru Koyama). Even though Chosuke Ikariya was not given much of a screen time again, in my opinion, he did a better job than in the first film (and he was great there!). It is really sad that shortly after the movie’s release, he passed away.
 
We cannot forget about Eri Fukatsu whose role was significantly extended in this story. She was simply outstanding, especially in the (usually stereotypical) hospital scenes. The rest of the original cast: Yusuke Santamaria, Miki Mizuno, Kenta Satoi, and the actors playing the chiefs were wonderful as well.
 
The music score by Akihiko Matsumoto was expanded by the remix of “Rhythm and Police” theme and some new, more choral, material. A word of caution! Please make sure to watch the full, uncut, 138-minute version of the movie. There’s the so-called “International Cut” existing (a dvd cover labelled with a THX sound system), which lacks 20 minutes of footage (mostly comedy scenes).
 
Recommendations
Hailed by many as the best of the theatrical movies. Personally, I like the first film and this one equally. It has lots of action, yet still manages to hit the emotional side by reinforcing the theme of teamwork vs. harsh bureaucracy. If you enjoyed the first movie and the original show, you will most certainly like this sequel as well. Still again, as I mentioned in the previous review, don’t check out this movie without having the knowledge about the series. Otherwise, you’re in for lots of unknown characters and continuity issues. However, if you have seen the previous entries, you definitely won’t regret watching Odoru Daisōsasen Za Mūbī Tsū Reinbōburizzi o Fūsaseyo!
Overall score: 9/10

Bayside Shakedown: The Movie (1998) [Film Review]

Bayside Shakedown: The Movie; or, Three Tough Cases
     I've got this far, but our promise... I wanted to give the investigations to the local teams, but I couldn't do it. I can't practise what I preach.
     You can. You of all people. You can do it, Muroi. I believe in you. I'll wait for it. Let's stick with it, until we get things our way.
After the drama and the TV specials, the time came for Odoru Daisousasen to hit the big screen. As a result, the first theatrical film dominated the Japanese box office in 1998 (over 10 billion yen), and today it occupies the 30th place on the list of the highest grossing films in Japan [see here]. Let’s talk about Odoru Daisousasen: Zu Mubi.
Release Info
Directed by: Katsuyuki Motohiro Starring: Yuji Oda, Toshiro Yanagiba, Eri Fukatsu
Original Title: 踊る大捜査線 THE MOVIE Language: Japanese Runtime: 119 min
 
Synopsis
It’s been five months since the events presented in the drama. Wangan detectives got used to solving petty crimes and the problem arises when a floating body appears near Bayside. What is more, officers’ private things mysteriously disappear at the station. On top of that, the Assistant Commissioner has been kidnapped. HQ’s investigative unit steps in to handle the kidnap, but it is up to Aoshima and his friends to discover that three cases are strangely connected.
Already the drama and the specials preceding the theatrical movie were great, but this film only perfected the formula of Odoru Daisousasen. Sure, at the beginning, it feels like an extra, super-special episode, but big budget and clever scripting enhance the cinematic feel of the movie. The music score was mainly retained from the original show, with occasional rearrangements from the composer Akihiko Matsumoto, but I don’t see the issue about it since I can listen to this soundtrack all the time.
With regard to performances, Odoru cast does as magnificently as in the drama. Even though it’s the movie, it remains continuous with the show’s timeline and carriers on the issues which originated there. Yuji Oda and Toshiro Yanagiba are brilliant as Aoshima and Muroi respectively. The dynamic relationship between these characters is just amazing, though they do not share a lot of screen time in this film. Chosuke Ikariya deserves another praise as Inspector Waku. I dare to think that he gets more stuff to do in the film than in the drama (by the way, there is a hilarious reference to Kurosawa's High and Low!). Allegedly, when receiving a Japan Academy Award for his performance, Ikariya claimed feeling guilty for it, because he had never taken his role seriously.
 
In addition, a veteran actor of samurai movies from the 60s, the late Shigeru Koyama plays the kidnapped Commissioner. It is quite a minor role, but he reprises it in the following sequel: Bayside Shakedown 2: Close the Rainbow Bridge. Actress Kyoko Koizumi deserves an honourable mention as the psychopathic killer who terrorises Yukino and later busts into the Wangan Station with a gun. Her character later returns, and is the focal point, of Bayside Shakedown 3: Set the Guys Loose.
 
All things considered, Odoru Daisousasen: Zu Mubi is the same as Odoru Daisousasen the drama in terms of criticising bureaucracy and internal hierarchy which governs Japanese institutions. Nevertheless, the movie strays into a new territory when exploring the topical problems of internet abuse and growing incitement to commit crime among Japanese youngsters. The heartbreaking ending of the picture shows that bureaucratic stubbornness can be overcome by the sacrifice and goodwill of individuals. While Aoshima recovers, Muroi’s promise remains yet to be fulfilled...
 
Recommendations
Safely recommended to anyone who saw and enjoyed the original drama and the specials. However, if you want to see the movie without seeing the drama, then please at least read some background info about the characters, because they are not introduced in any way in the motion picture. Apart from this issue, you’re in for lots of great stuff!
Overall score: 9/10

Odoru Daisousasen TV Specials [Bayside Shakedown] (1997-2012) [Drama Review]

     In order to never lose sight of myself... I fervently adhered to rules. I thought that was the right thing to do. But... I guess there are many ways of doing things. After all, we're different, you and me.
     No. You're wrong. We're both police officers.
If you have no idea what Odoru Daisousasen is, then please head over to my drama review here.
 
Following the success of eleven kickass episodes, Odoru’s creative team, consisting of Katsuyuki Motohiro (director), Ryoichi Kimizuka (screenwriter), and Chihiro Kameyama (producer) decided to carry on with the show and devised in 1997/1998 three TV specials following the adventures of our favourite Wangan Station officers. Nevertheless, due to Bayside Shakedown becoming such a smash hit in Japan, more (big and small) specials were made after 1998. Below, I have made an attempt to create a chronological list of all the special episodes with broadcast dates, original and English titles, as well as descriptions along with my short comments.
  • 1997 December: Year-End Special Alert (Saimatsu Tokubetsu Keikai SP 踊る大捜査線 歳末特別警戒スペシャル)- Aoshima’s back... or so it would seem as he is still an ordinary street officer. Muroi notices that and arranges for an immediate transfer of Aoshima back to Wangan. The chiefs are not all too happy to see Aoshima so they assign him to the Traffic Section. There, driven by his reluctance, he ends up helping a school teacher find a vandal who destroyed a school project. Aoshima is unaware that the vandal is actually a drug-addicted killer. By complete coincidence, the killer gets hold of a gun and takes everybody hostage at the Criminal Section. Thrilling and entertaining episode with a big reference to Die Hard.
  • 1998 June: Wangan Police Station Female Police Officers' Story (Shoka no Koutsuu Anzen SP 踊る大捜査線番外編 湾岸署婦警物語)- Contrary to the previous one, this special episode features main Odoru characters only in cameos, whereas the real heroine of the story is a newcomer Natsumi (Yuki Uchida) who is beginning her career at WPS as the traffic officer. Under close supervision of officer Kuwano (great Eri Watanabe from Shall We Dance? movie), we see Natsuki trying to learn the police job. Yet, her defiance of Kuwano’s strict conduct leads to a conflict between them. Some at the station even compare her to Aoshima. Still, Natsuki gets an opportunity to show her true value as she attempts to apprehend a dangerous criminal. Very entertaining episode and my personal favourite.
  • 1998 October: Autumn Campaign for Crime Eradication (Aki no Hanzai Bokumetsu SP 踊る大捜査線 秋の犯罪撲滅スペシャル)- Aoshima, Sumire, and Mashita are ordered to escort a woman who paid to kill her boyfriend. However, the woman manages to escape and Sumire is suspected of harbouring her. A sick game of suspicion begins as Muroi orders Mashita and Yukino to follow Aoshima who follows Sumire. How will Aoshima prove Sumire’s innocence? More importantly, who is the fugitive: a criminal or a victim? Engaging story with a twist towards the end. It perfectly develops the Aoshima/Sumire relationship and builds upon Muroi’s ambiguity.
  • 1998 October: Late Night at Bayside: The Worst Three Police Officers* (Shinya mo Odoru Daisousasen SP 深夜も踊る大捜査線 湾岸署史上最悪の3人!)- This is basically a mini-series of five 10-minute episodes about the follies of the WPS chiefs. These were aired for five nights before the premiere of Bayside Shakedown: The Movie. They are available at PandoraTV but without any subtitles.
  • [Chronology] 1998 October: Bayside Shakedown: The Movie
  • 2001 September: Big Dance in Seoul* (踊る大ソウル線)- I stumbled upon this one by complete accident. Any English site about Odoru does not mention it at all! Only at odoru.org I found a short description that it’s a quasi-special episode, but in reality, it is an advertisement of Seoul for prospective tourists. We follow Sumire, Mashita, Waku, and the chiefs on their journey around the capital of South Korea. No English translation exists. Treat this only as a trivia.
  • 2003 July: Late Night at Bayside 2* (Shinya mo Odoru Daisousasen 2 SP 深夜も踊る大捜査線2)- The same thing as the previous Shinya, but made for the promotion of Bayside Shakedown: The Movie 2. I couldn’t track down these episodes at all.
  • [Chronology] 2003 July: Bayside Shakedown: The Movie 2
  • 2003 August: Thats! Three Amigos: A Stage Play* (舞台も踊る大捜査線 ザッツ!!スリーアミーゴス)- As the title says, Odoru franchise even hit the theatre. It was played from August 15th to August 17th, 2003 with five performances in total. In terms of the storyline, it is a follow-up to the events from the second movie as the WPS chiefs have their salaries reduced. After the performance-segment, there was a small talk-show section with a different guest each time. Ultimately, live recording of the play was released on dvd. No English translation available online.
  • 2005 December: Odoru Legend – The Fugitive, Kijima Jouichirou (Odoru Legend ~ Toubousha Kijima Jouichirou 踊るレジェンドドラマスペシャル逃亡者 木島丈一郎)- A TV movie focusing on the character of Detective Kijima Jouichirou from the spin-off film Negotiator: Mashita Masayoshi (2005). In The Fugitive, Kijima rescues a boy from a kidnapper. However, the boy is reluctant to be returned to his parents, thus Kijima escapes with him. No English fan-subs are available. Nevertheless, it is always awesome to see the great Susumu Terajima in action.
  • 2006 October: The Lawyer, Haijima Hideki (Bengoshi Haijima Hideki 踊るレジェンドドラマスペシャル弁護士 灰島秀樹)- Another TV movie, this time made about the character from the spin-off film The Suspect: Muroi Shinji (2005). To me, there was nothing absolutely interesting about it. We get 95 minutes about some prick lawyer without even cameos from the Odoru cast. It might as well have not been part of the franchise.
  • 2010 June: Late Night at Bayside 3* (Shinya mo Odoru Daisousasen 3 SP 深夜も踊る大捜査線3)- Another mini-series with the chiefs, made to promote Bayside Shakedown: The Movie 3. I managed to find only two episodes. No English subs, but the episodes look interesting as they are limited to the office space only.
  • [Chronology] 2010 July: Bayside Shakedown 3: Set the Guys Loose
  • 2012 September: Midnight Odoru Daisousasen: The Final (深夜も踊る大捜査線 THE FINAL)- For the promotion of the fourth and final theatrical movie, Shinya mini-series was not made. Instead, four episodes following Detective Kijima Jouichirou were aired each midnight. Again, no English translation, yet still, it’s quite intense to watch as Kijima and his team defuse a bomb hidden in a huge teddy bear.
  • 2012 September: The Last TV (踊る大捜査線 THE LAST TV サラリーマン刑事と最後の難事件)- It is best to watch this episode after seeing the third movie as lot of things have changed at the Wangan Station. Aoshima is now a Section Chief, whereas Mashita, Uozumi and Hakamada head the station. Aoshima. along with his investigative team. is on the lead of a Korean woman who cheats men out of their money. Little do detectives know that the woman is allegedly engaged to officer Wang (a member of Aoshima’s team). In collaboration with HQ, a huge set up is organised in the form of a lavish wedding ceremony. Great stuff to watch and the original cast is at their best.
  • [Chronology] 2012 September: Bayside Shakedown 4: The FINAL
All things considered, one can see from the list above how much has Odoru gone through the years. Even though it came to an end back in 2012, it is still a wonderful experience to sit through and watch the drama along with all of these specials. I don’t regret a single minute spent with these brilliant characters. Is there a possibility for a new special or a new movie? Probably not, but still, great franchises are known for comebacks.