Initial D: The Movie (2005) [Film Review]

Initial D: The Movie; or, It needs Eurobeat!

     You're a really good driver, Takumi. I always get carsick on long rides, but I didn't even need to take my pills today. I had a great time today.

After months of continuous resentment, I finally gave in and watched a live action adaptation of one of my favourite anime shows. The opinions about this film are very polarised, but I approached the matter with an open mind and a lot of optimism. After all, what can go wrong with a movie about racing, right? Let’s just say that Initial D: The Movie left me quite disappointed.

Release Info

Directed by: Andrew Lau, Alan Mak Starring: Jay Chou, Anne Suzuki, Edison Chen, Anthony Wong

Language: Cantonese Original Title: 頭文字 D Runtime: 110 min

 

Plot

The story focuses on Takumi Fujiwara (Jay Chou) a young driver who is helping out his father, Bunta (Anthony Wong), in delivering Tofu down the mountain pass of Akina. Fujiwara has been driving this route for 5 years in Toyota “Hachi-Roku” AE-86 and unknowingly became an expert at downhill racing. He is challenged by fearless, both amateur and professional, drivers who wish to defeat the legend of Mount Akina. The problem is that Takumi never loses in his old 86.

 

Running in the 2000s

Well, after checking this movie out, I can’t blame Initial D fans for their unfavourable opinions about this movie. To be honest, it felt like a fan-film that tried to condense as much references to the anime as possible, while at the same rejecting many of the hallmarks that made it so fun and popular.

 

Most importantly, unfamiliar viewers should know that the original Initial D tells the ultimate underdog story. There is that kid, the son of a legendary racer, who does not even know that he became a racing genius. Heck, he does not even care about racing. Only due to many challenges and adventures along the way, Takumi realises that he wants to go pro and, as a result, proceeds to rage his dream. This 80-episode long series depicts a wonderful coming-of-age journey with a touching message of never giving up, even against all odds.

Initial D: The Movie, on the other hand, struggles to present the same storyline, but shoves it in a very idiotic manner. First of all, the racing culture is depicted not as the environment of young drivers in pursuit of larger-than-life greatness, but rather as a gathering of thugs. Secondly, many supporting characters are either altered or missing (the most painful absence is that of Keisuke Takahashi). Thirdly, there are obvious name changes, unfunny toilet jokes (lots of puking), and… no Eurobeat.

 

Why this movie doesn’t work is partially due to the fact that it tries so hard to cram the first three stages (seasons) of the anime into a 2-hour time span. At the same time, it doesn’t do proper justice to its source material. The most vivid example is the character of Bunta Fujiwara in the movie. From a caring father in the anime, he was turned into a repulsive alcoholic and child abuser. Outrageous is also the filmmakers’ overconfidence in the success of this film. Not getting into any spoilers, there is an open ending which suggests a sequel (that never got made).

 

Don’t even get me started on the lack of Eurobeat, the music score of every self-respecting driver. That’s another reason behind the failure of this picture. Instead of recreating the thrill of gutter run, unexpected overtake, and epic drift, pumped up by the cool vibrations of Dave Rodgers, Mega NRG Man, and Leslie Parrish, the filmmakers went for the hip-hop vibes, because nothing feels better to them than that gangsta atmosphere of ghetto racing (Fast and Furious flashbacks). Guess what: this movie could have been saved in the edit by adding so much needed Eurobeat. Refer below to a fan video of one of the race scenes:

That being said about the disadvantages, I have to be fair and point out some of the good stuff. What was done well? Two things: the usage of classic cars from the anime (Toyota AE-86, Nissan Skyline R32, Mazda RX-7, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV) and the way how the racing scenes were shot. These were done in a very natural style with a camera attached to a vehicle that followed the racing cars. Very little usage of CGI, only a couple of shots, is commendable. In addition, I appreciated the scene in which, just for a moment, 86 turned into an animated version of itself.

 

With regard to performances, many actors seem miscast. Jay Chou tries his best as Takumi, but comes off as tired and bland. Anthony Wong does not do well as Bunta either, but that’s due to a bad script writing. Wong is a great actor and he would probably make a great Bunta if given a proper chance. Chapman To is embarrassing as the playboy amalgam of Itsuki and Iketani. The only actors who understood their parts were Anne Suzuki and Edison Chen as Natsuki Mogi and Ryousuke Takahashi, respectively. Especially Edison Chen did so well that he should reprise his role in a new movie adaptation.

 

Recommendations

If you are an Initial D fan, give this film a pass. It left such a bitter taste in my mouth, that I had to aid myself with a couple of Super Eurobeat albums and Carx Drift Racing. If you need to check it out nonetheless, keep an eye on the racing action, because this is a redeemable aspect of this motion picture. As we all know: Initial D is love, Initial D is life. This movie is related to Initial D by name only.

Overall score: 5/10 (generous points for the cars and racings)