Cube (2021) [Film Review]

Cube (2021); or, Running Scared
     I see a sin in your eyes.
My first encounter with the Cube franchise was not a positive one. Back in the early 2000s, while watching preview trailers on a rented VHS tape, I stumbled upon a teaser for Cube 2: Hypercube (2002). This advertising clip was so atrociously bad that it made me dislike the series before even seeing it. However, I caught the original Cube (1997) on TV years later and actually enjoyed it. It was simple, innovative, gripping, and had memorable characters. Therefore, I am all the more surprised that the Japanese decided to remake this horror classic almost 25 years later…

Release Info

Directed by: Yasuhiko Shimizu Starring: Masaki Suda, Anne Watanabe, Masaki Okada

Language: Japanese Original Title: CUBE Runtime: 108 min

Synopsis
Six strangers wake up in a cube-shaped room. They do not know how they got there or what is their purpose of being in the cube. Each wall of the room (including ceiling and floor) has doors, which lead to same cube-designed areas. The strangers try to get out of the endless, claustrophobic maze while avoiding deadly traps awaiting them en route.

Cube Your Enthusiasm
The 2021 remake directed by Yasuhiko Shimizu and produced by Vincenzo Natali (the director of the original film) faithfully repeats the basic points of the 1997 source material, but it also manages to muster up a few innovations on its own. Let’s take a look at production design, for instance. Evidently, this is a studio flick (Shochiku), so the crew actually had a budget to work with. The cubical rooms do not have the industrial, “used” look as in the original. Instead, they seem brighter, cleaner, and more spacious. The lighting of the sets is also pleasant for eyes.

In terms of the story's overall execution, Cube feels like a play on Japanese stereotypes. Whereas the original had clear anti-authority sentiment, the remake presents us with a critique of generational conflict, social politeness, honne/tatemae modes in daily interactions, and group mentality vs. individualism. Watching the 1997 and 2021 remake back to back reminded me about a passage from Haruki Murakami’s Underground: The Tokyo Gas Attack and the Japanese Psyche, in which a survivor of the 1995 subway events states that Americans would have certainly behaved differently from Japanese passengers during a terrorist attack and, consequently, there would have been less victims.

This is very much the vibe you get from Cube (2021). The characters behave in an erratic manner when it comes to action, and they seem to be afraid more of each other rather than of the actual maze… In the original, the protagonists hated each other’s guts but at least they consciously worked on getting out. In the remake, the hints as to how the cube operates are thrown into the characters' faces. They discover solutions to challenges they face by pure chance.

With regard to performances, Masaki Suda does well as the leading man, but he gets outshined most of the time but the supporting parts of Takumi Saitoh and Kotaro Yoshida. Hikaru Tashiro is unfortunately bland as the child who forms a bond with Suda’s character. Anne Watanbe looks adorable in prison rags, but her character is one-dimensional and just when you think this is an issue, the film surprises you with a plot twist (no spoilers). As for Masaki Okada, I am glad that his fame gets recognised internationally nowadays, but this movie does a disservice to him. He just goes full Jack Torrance towards the finale. You should never go full Jack Torrance.

Recommendations
All things considered, I do not regret watching the Cube remake. Undoubtedly, it is inferior to the original, but it is worth checking out just for the production design and top-notch sound editing, which really enhances the viewing experience. It is an okay horror flick for one viewing only.Overall score: 7/10

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Samurai Marathon (2019) [Film Review]

Samurai Marathon; or, What Samurai Talk When They Talk About Running

     If there is a turbulence in the atmosphere, you need to report immediately back to us. Have no hesitation... And don't be found by others.

Samurai Marathon is the latest jidaigeki, directed by Bernard Rose and based on a 2014 novel by Akihiro Dobashi. This period picture focuses on the origins of marathons in Japan at the end of the Edo period.

Release Info

Directed by: Bernard Rose Starring: Takeru Sato, Nana Komatsu, Mirai Moriyama, Shota Sometami

Language: Japanese Original Title: サムライマラソン Runtime: 104 min

 

Synopsis

When American troops led by Commodore Perry (Danny Huston) arrive at the Japanese shoreline, this causes quite a commotion among the officials. Local leaders are afraid of potential attacks from foreign invaders and, one of them, Lord Itakura (Hiroki Hasegawa), announces a 60-kilometre marathon contest in order to strengthen his samurai. One of the loyal warriors, Jinnai Karasawa (Takeru Sato), is actually a spy working for the shogunate. Jinnai misinterprets his lord’s intention as a call to arms and sends a wrong message to the capital. As a  result of this, a squad of assassins is dispatched in order to suppress the presumed uprising.

 

The Hidden Blades

Samurai Marathon may have a bit of a confusing introduction in view of many characters and plotlines interwoven with each other, but the further the film goes, the better it gets. The story greatly reminded me about such classics as Hideo Gosha’s Three Outlaw Samurai (1964) and Kihachi Okamoto’s Kill! (1968). There are multiple perspectives focusing on the characters who participate in the marathon. Eventually, everything comes together when the assassins arrive and the samurai have to race against time to save Lord Itakura.

 

Additional advantage is the beautiful cinematography done by Takuro Ishikaza. The atmospheric forest setting and smooth camera work really evoke early films of Akira Kurosawa. Also, the music score composed by Phillip Glass gives a breath of fresh air and emphasises the gravity of the difficult situation the samurai have found themselves in.

 

The all-star cast cannot go unnoticed as well. Takeru Sato’s portrayal of a conflicted samurai became his second nature (*Rurouni Kenshin flashbacks*). His performance is aided by those of Nana Komatsu, Shota Sometami, and Mirai Moriyama in supporting roles. Surprisingly, Naoto Takenaka has a small but great part as a retired mentor.

 

Recommendations

If you like historical movies, then you can safely check out Samurai Marathon. It is a well-made drama which provides nods to the golden age of samurai flicks. It will certainly keep you entertained. I wish more historical dramas like that could be made nowadays.

Overall score: 8/10

Inuyashiki (2018) [Film Review]

Inuyashiki; or, Dawn of Salty Water

     Hanako… you better get ready!

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the abundance of modern superhero flicks? Even though many of them are indeed entertaining, they frequently follow an established structure. Marvel has their formula and (*smirk*) DC has theirs as well. Not to mention release dates separated by literally days in some cases. Well, guess what? You are the perfect viewer to check out the Japanese superhero action movie called Inuyashiki.

Release Info

Directed by: Shinsuke Sato Starring: Noritake Kinashi, Takeru Sato, Ayaka Miyoshi, Kanata Hongo

Language: Japanese Original title: いぬやしき Runtime: 126 min

 

Plot

Meet Ichiro Inuyashiki (Noritake Kinashi), a typical office worker with a wife, Marie (Mari Hamada), and two teenage children, Mari (Ayaka Miyoshi) and Takeshi (Nayuta Fukuzaki). The family has recently moved in to a new house. Nothing would seem out of the ordinary in this “stock photo-like” family apart from the fact that Inuyashiki is despised by his closest ones. At his workplace too, he is regarded as an incapable and worthless employee. The only consolation for Inuyashiki is a stray dog, Hanako, whom he takes in. After the wife orders him to get rid of the dog, Inuyashiki is struck by a huge wave of light in the park. When he wakes up, he discovers that his body was turned into a cybernetic machine. Inuyashiki gains enormous muscle strength, can hear people from great distances, but most importantly, he can heal those who are on the verge of death. Inuyashiki’s will to do good is going to be tested in a duel against Hiro Shishigami (Takeru Sato), a high school student who was also struck by the mysterious light.

 

First Action Hero

I think I should begin by pointing out that I have watched this movie cold. No description, no trailer whatsoever. The official poster with Takeru Sato at the front was enough to get me encouraged. Retrospectively, I don’t recommend this approach. You need to know beforehand that this movie is an adaptation of Hiroya Oku’s science fiction manga series that received an 11-episode anime treatment. Basically, as already outlined in the plot section, it’s about two men becoming advanced battle machines, but with such a difference that one does good and the other does evil.

 

Inuyashiki is a slow-burner. Initially, I was convinced that this is Ikiru tragedy about a middle-aged man mixed with a bit of school drama (yes, 29 year old Takeru Sato effortlessly passes off as a student). However, things gradually start to spin as the main characters begin to discover their supernatural abilities. In contrast to many recognisable comic book heroes, Inuyashiki is physically a different being, although he has his memories and usual demeanour intact.

 

One could say that the movie is a typical zero-to-hero story. However, I believe that Inuyashiki is actually a clever parody of this format. The main protagonist never gains self-respect as he is continuously treated like a punching bag; however, he finds fulfilment in anonymously helping out other people. As for Hiro Shishigami, I wouldn’t label him as the bad guy. He is just a man who had a crappy past, which made him bitter and vengeful. His friendship with Ando was just as touching as Inuyashiki’s re-establishment of fatherly bond with Mari, an estranged daughter. Having said this, in my opinion, character development is the strongest advantage of this picture.

 

Speaking about the disadvantages, there were a few. Specifically, the film is unevenly paced. It starts off like M. Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable (2000) and ends like Shane Black’s Iron Man 3 (2013). On top of that, the whole second act is devoted solely to Hiro, which at a certain point made me think that the movie should be renamed Shishigami. Thankfully, these issues faded away in the glory of a brilliant and action-packed third act.

 

With regard to performances, Noritake Kinashi rocks as Inuyashiki. This is the first time I have seen this actor in action and I would love to check his other works. In addition, this is my first time seeing Takeru Sato as the villain. He did a great job, even though I couldn’t get out of my head his other roles from Bitter Blood (2014) and Bloody Monday (2008). Ayaka Miyoshi also deserves a mention as Mari, Inuyashiki’s daughter

 

Briefly touching upon some trivia, the character of Inuyashiki was actually voiced in anime by Fumiyo Kohinata :) I wonder how his take on the role would have looked like in the live action version. Coincidentally, the only actor who "appeared" in both the anime and the movie is Kanata Hongo as Ando, Hiro’s childhood friend. On a side note, I wonder if the creative team behind the movie has seen the old American comedy Real Men (1987), because it also jokingly uses the motifs of finger guns and drinking water.

 

Recommendations

Highly recommended to anyone who wants to spend an entertaining evening. The movie is not flawless, but it is ridiculously enjoyable nonetheless. Especially in the era of Marvel and DC universes, we need more everyman heroes like Inuyashiki. Superman? Batman? Guyver?! Give me a break. I’ll take Inuyashiki over them any day. Give him a cameo in Avengers: Endgame!

Overall score: 7/10