Always: Sunset on Third Street 2 (2007) [Film Review]

Always: Sunset on Third Street 2; or, All Folks Here
     Those of us who survived should be as happy as possible.
As promised, I return to the world of Always: Sunset on Third Street with my review of the second part of the live-action trilogy made by director Takashi Yamazaki. Again, as I explained last week, please accept my apologies for the delay. Without further ado, let’s dive in.

Release Info

Directed by: Takashi Yamazaki Starring: Hidetaka Yoshioka, Shinichi Tsutsumi, Koyuki

Language: Japanese Original Title: ALWAYS 続・三丁目の夕日 Runtime: 146 min

Synopsis
We reunite with the heroes of the first movie two years later. Mr Suzuki’s (Shinichi Tsutsumi) auto repair business thrives, whereas Chagawa (Hidetaka Yoshioka) does his best to raise Junnosuke (Kenta Suga). However, Junnosuke’s biological father (Fumiyo Kohinata) is unwilling to let go, so he pesters Chagawa about giving up the child, pointing out the writer’s poor living conditions. In order to prove that he can provide for Junnosuke, Chagawa decides to take part in the literary contest to win the prestigious Akutagawa Prize. At the same time, Chagawa struggles to meet with Hiromi (Koyuki) and disclose his feelings for her.

The Power of Word
Allow me to say that if you enjoyed the original Always: Sunset on Third Street, then you get the same package with the sequel, in which all the conflicts and touching moments are repeated. This sequel is not a bad film by any means, but it really feels like a washed down version of the first movie.

Nevertheless, Takashi Yamazaki threw some wonderful additions into the mix. For example, we get the traditional opening zoom out from a radio in Suzuki’s house only to reveal that Tokyo is being invaded by the King of the Monsters himself! This is the section of the film over which Godzilla fans relentlessly glow over in the internet, and it is indeed a real treat to watch. It is almost as if back in 2007 Yamazaki made this as a trump card for Toho, trying to say, “Here I am guys. Give me a chance to direct a Godzilla flick!”

Of course, glory of the intro does not constitute an entire movie. I liked Chagawa’s struggle to raise Junnosuke, but we have seen that already. The Suzuki family houses a newcomer in form of a distant cousin, and she feels like a fish out of the water exactly like Mutsuko in the first film. Mutsuko’s romance in the sequel also feels a bit forced. Sill, a breath of fresh air was Mr Suzuki’s nostalgia for the war buddies, a subplot taken straight from Nobuhiko Obayashi flicks.

With regard to performances, evidently, Hidetaka Yoshioka and Shinichi Tsutsumi are the showstealers, but Koyuki, Tomokazu Miura, and Fumiyo Kohinata have a lot more to do this time round.

Recommendations
All things considered, Always: Sunset on Third Street is a decent continuation, but it does on build upon the first movie. Instead, it kind of resets the characters and starts over to achieve the same happy ending outcome. Still, I don’t regret watching it.Overall score: 7/10

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