The Negotiator The Movie; or, This is NOT a Bayside
Shakedown Spin-off!
What I hate the most are people who subdue everything with
strength!
During my search for a police procedural drama, I have found
a conspicuously-looking show from TV Asahi called Koshonin (2008). I gave the first
episode a go and the drama looks pretty solid; however, it turned out all of a
sudden that there’s not only a second season to the series, but also a theatrical
film called Koshonin The Movie: The Fight at 10,000 metres! Wait a minute, I
think I’ve heard a similar title before... Anyways, I just had to check
out the film about Ryoko Yonekura in a hijacked plane! This is my review of The
Negotiator The Movie.
Release Info
Directed by: Toshio Terada Starring: Ryoko Yonekura, Takashi Sorimachi, Toshio Kakei
Language: Japanese Original Title: 交渉人 THE MOVIE〜タイムリミット高度10,000mの頭脳戦 Runtime: 122 min
Synopsis
Reiko Usagi (Ryoko Yonekura) is a member of the SIT (Special
Investigation Team), which handles the most difficult cases as they happen at
the crime scene. 260 million yen were stolen from an armoured vehicle. The
robbers bust into a shopping mall and take customers hostage. Reiko tries to
negotiate, as she was professionally trained to do so, but suddenly, a large
explosion takes place. In the moment of chaos, customers rush out of the mall
in panic and the criminals blend into the crowd. Only the head of the gang, Mido
(Masahiko Tsugawa), is apprehended. Sometime later, Reiko intends to go on
vacation. At Haneda Airport, she spots one of the hostages, Yusuke Kimoto
(Kento Hayashi). Suspecting that something may be going on, Reiko follows the
man. It turns out that the airplane they boarded is hijacked shortly after take-off...
“Watashi Shippai Shinai No De”
I have checked out The Negotiator quite spontaneously and
without any high expectations. It was quite entertaining and well made, but if
you expect to see a non-stop action in the style of Die Hard (1989) then I suggest watching
Air Force One (1997) instead. In fact, The Negotiator is a slow burning suspense
thriller, and its only fault is the reliance on the overused “hijacked plane”
motif.
Evidently, the screenplay tries to move away from the standard
terrorists-plotline by introducing a whole new subplot with a twist(!) which,
unfortunately, is not all that breathtaking. By fiddling with the formula and
trying to cram Law Abiding Citizen (2009) into Turbulence (1997), the story of
The Negotiator, at best, passes as a mediocre idea, taken out of Security Police's in-joke, which would do better as the
special episode of the drama.
Apart from this issue, there are only advantages. The
cinematography is great, the music score quite distinct and catchy, but the
ensemble cast is what makes this particular movie a fun to watch, especially if
you are into J-dramas! I spotted so many familiar faces that I just couldn’t
help myself and made the “Starring section” inspired by Honest Trailers at the
very end of this review.
Ryoko Yonekura is wonderful as Reiko Usagi, but in my eyes
she will always be the unbeatable Daimon Michiko-sensei. Sadly, The Negotiator
to date remains Ryoko’s only theatrical effort. The supporting characters are
awesome as well. Takashi Sorimachi deserves the highest praise as the main bad
guy who takes over the airplane and keeps his cool at all times. In addition,
it’s quite hilarious to see Toshiro Yanagiba and Toshio Kakei back in action
together, even though this is most certainly not a Bayside Shakedown spin-off.
Recommendations
Safely recommended to anyone who likes the original Koshonin drama. The movie is A-okay to watch for one time, but it won’t leave a lasting
impression on you. However, it has a lot of fun stuff to offer, in spite of an
underdeveloped storyline. I am secretly hoping for a new theatrical feature
with better material for Ryoko to work on. Maybe... Doctor X: The Movie?
Please...?
Now, here comes the Starring Section:
AND
Trailer:
Overall score: 6/10
Where can I watch this movie
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