Space Battleship Yamato (2010) [Film Review]

Space Battleship Yamato; or, The Stars My Destination

     Even a single gleam in the dark, even the slightest chance… let us use that as a basis for hope!
I have been meaning to watch Space Battleship Yamato for quite some time because I have heard a great deal of positive opinions about the anime from the 1970s which made an enormous impact on the science fiction genre and influenced such franchises as Gundam, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Macross. Well, an opportunity finally came and I sat down to watch the live-action adaptation from 2010 with none other than Takuya Kimura himself in the leading role.

Release Info

Directed by: Takashi Yamazaki Starring: Takuya Kimura, Meisa Kuroki, Tsutomu Yamazaki

Language: Japanese Original Title: 宇宙戦艦ヤマト Runtime: 138 min

Synopsis
It’s the year 2199. Mankind is at war with extraterrestrial beings known as the Gamilas for 5 years now. The aliens continuously bombard the planet with radioactive bombs which render it uninhabitable. Consequently, people have to hide underground. The Yamato, the last interstellar battleship of the Earth’s Defence Forces, sets out on a mission to a distant planet Iscandar in order to obtain a device that will eradicate radioactivity. The ship’s crew is humanity’s last hope against the invaders from outer space.

Trek Wars
At the beginning, allow me to address my initial worries with regard to the film. The movie trailer looked promising, but I was afraid that such kind of production would fall victim to sloppy CGI and unevenly done special effects (like Godzilla movies from the Millennium Series). Thankfully, this is not the case with Space Battleship Yamato. All the space/battle sequences look absolutely spectacular and really stand the test of time. I wish I could have had the ability to see the film in a theater, back in 2010. It is a great viewing experience from the visual standpoint. Allegedly, Takuya Kimura himself put pressure on the director to deliver on this front, and the actor even reduced his working fee just to accommodate the F/X budget. What a guy!

This being said, I can’t help but notice a correlation between Space Battleship Yamato and classic franchise from America, Star Trek. Evidently, the original anime took a lot of cues from the original show devised by Gene Roddenberry, but this movie seems to really evoke the vibes of J.J. Abrams’ reboot from 2009. That is to say, there is a lot of emphasis on bombastic action, character development, and pathos. Sususmu Kodai, the protagonist played by Kimura really resembles young James T. Kirk in terms of bravado and charisma.

With regard to the screenplay, unfortunately, the farther it goes, the worse it gets. While the first two acts heavily rely on Star Trek atmosphere, the third section of the film veers into the territory of Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers (1997), only to end with a finale that could have easily been incorporated into Ronald Emmerich’s Independence Day (1996). In other words, there is a LOT going on in the storyline but the unfolding events are linked with little to no causality.

Speaking about performances, the cast of this film is something really special. Apart from Takyua Kimura, we get Tsutomu Yamazaki, Toshiyuki Nishida, Reiko Takashima, and Toshiro Yanagiba! All of them did really well with the material they had to work with.

Recommendations
If you would like to check out a sci-fi tale straight from Japan, then I recommend Space Battleship Yamato. It is a fun flick driven by visuals but do not expect it to be a comprehensive story. As an anime adaptation, it works really well.Overall score: 7/10

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Ring: Saishushou [Ring: The Final Chapter] (1999) [Drama Review]

Ring Saishushou; or, Race Against Time

     Why must you hate mankind? Even till now, there’s someone who loves you with all his heart. You didn’t expect it?

Right after the premiere of Hideo Nakata’s Ringu in 1998, the Ring craze took Japan by the storm. In spite of a sequel (more about it soon) released by Toho simultaneously with the original, FujiTV commissioned a TV drama. Ring: Saishushou, also known as Ring: The Final Chapter, is a 12-episode-long adaptation of Koji Suzuki’s famous novel. If counting the preceding films, Ring: Kanzenban and Ringu, then Ring: Saishushou is actually the third re-telling of the novel since its publication in 1991.

Release Info

Directed by: Fukumoto Yoshito, Hidetomo Matsuda, Yoshihito Fukumoto Starring: Toshiro Yanagiba, Tomoya Nagase, Kotomi Kyono, Hitomi Kuroki

Language: Japanese Original Title: リング ～最終章～ No. of eps: 12

 

Synopsis

Kazuyuki Asakawa (Toshiro Yanagiba) is a newspaper reporter who investigates the case of teenagers who died simultaneously in various places due to myocardial infarction. He arrives at a cabin in the countryside and finds the VHS tape which was viewed by the teenagers. The tape turns out to be… a music video by a pop idol Nao Matsuzaki. With the help of a specialist in paranormal phenomena, Ryuji Takayama (Tomoya Nagase), Asakawa discovers that the video contains a hidden, subliminal curse which causes people to die 13 days after watching it. Together with a fellow reporter, Akiko Yoshino (Kotomi Kyono), and a scientist, Reiko Miyashita (Hitomi Kuroki), Asakawa sets out on a search to find a person behind the curse…

 

Sadako Ain’t Letting It Go

As some other blogger rightfully stated in his review of the drama, each entry in the Ring franchise is bound to be compared with Hideo Nakata’s acclaimed work. It is understandable, in my opinion; however, every Ring adaptation should also be set against its original source material, Koji Suzuki’s novel. The drama only seemingly resembles the literary work in its first few episodes. For example, Asakawa is, indeed, a male reporter, but he is also a widower in this version who single-handedly raises a son. The tape is at first turned into a joke, with its true contents only to be revealed later. In addition, the curse’s time span is stretched so as to accommodate new characters and their subplots.

 

I don now want to get into the spoiler territory, so just let me say that the liberties this drama takes to change the story are not outrageous or particularly bad. In fact, they actually seem to work. I love the new take on the VHS tape and the search for Sadako in this series. We do get to know a lot of details about her life this time, and even some relatives pop up for a moment. Sadako herself (played brilliantly by Tae Kimura) does not do her iconic “coming out of a TV” gig, but she has a whole set of other haunting tricks (for instance, telepathic communication or materialising through a sink).

 

Unfortunately, it is obvious that this drama was made on a tight budget, so do not expect any spellbinding special effects. The only disadvantage that really struck me was an underworked music score which was painfully overused in the key scenes.

 

What I appreciated the most in this adaptation is that it really focused on an aspect from the novel that was conveniently omitted by the movies. Namely, a scientific explanation is implied behind Sadako’s curse. The VHS is merely a stimulant which initiates a virus in bodies of poor people who watch it. By the way, I was surprised to find out that Nao Matsuzaki is a real J-singer. Way to go with promoting your brand via Ring!

 

With regard to performances, Toshiro Yanagiba at first seems to be ardently working on material that was not written for him, but with each consecutive episode he begins to own the part (best confrontation-in-the-well scene in the franchise!). Tomoya Nagase is a worthy addition; however, he gets sidelined halfway through the series. Kotomi Kyono and Akiko Yada are a-okay as an annoying reporter and a distressed sister, respectively. A wonderful icing on the cake is Hitomi Kuroki as a scientist who tries to find a cure for the Ring Virus.

 

Recommendations

If you are as equally obsessed as me about checking out Ring adaptations, then Ring: Saishushou is the stuff for you. You can easily check it out on Youtube. I would not label the drama as scary, but it undoubtedly has the right atmosphere and a few very creepy moments. I’m really keen on watching FujiTV’s follow up to this series, which is Rasen (1999), the adaptation of Suzuki’s second Ring novel.

Overall score: 8/10

The Negotiator The Movie (2010) [Film Review]

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

Bayside Shakedown 3: Set the Guys Loose (2010) [Film Review]

Bayside Shakedown: The Movie 3; or, Release the Prisoners!

     One thing I forgot to say... Your death won't be beautiful. You've got no pride, huh? No matter what, I'm going to arrest you. I take pride in that.

It’s been 7 years since the latest instalment of Bayside Shakedown until Yuji Oda proudly announced in 2010: "We’re back". Indeed, the Odoru Daisousasen team returned in this new and exciting reboot/sequel called Bayside Shakedown 3: Set the Guys Loose.

Release Info

Directed by: Katsuyuki Motohiro Starring: Yuji Oda, Eri Fukatsu, Toshiro Yanagiba, Yusuke Santamaria

Language: Japanese Original Title: 踊る大捜査線　THE MOVIE3 Runtime: 141 min

 

Synopsis

Aoshima (Yuji Oda) was promoted to Section Chief and he is currently handling a difficult logistic operation of moving the Wangan Police Station to its new headquarters. In the meantime, strange crimes take place. A bus hijack without any hijackers on board or a bank robbery without any money being stolen. What is more, the WPS chiefs find out that three pistols were stolen from the station’s arsenal. An unknown group of high-tech terrorists send in the ultimatum: Release specific prisoners arrested by Detective Aoshima or people will be shot from the stolen guns, and the Wangan staff will be gassed by toxins. In the course of his investigation, Aoshima discovers that the terrorists are connected with one of the prisoners.

 

Running Scared

Well, Bayside Shakedown 3, what can I say? After The Suspect: Muroi Shinji (2005) and the long break between the second and the third movie, I gather that the series began to run out of steam. Thus, it needed a proper injection of novelty as well as referencing to the previous films. As a result, this sequel feels very much like a reboot. We have a change of location and some new characters like Waku’s nephew, Shinjiro Waku (Atsushi Ito), Chinese police officer Wang (Kenichi Takito), and Natsumi Shinohara (Yuki Uchida), returning from the 1998 special episode: Wangan Police Station Female Officers’ Story. Even the picture’s colour palette seems more lively and vivid in comparison to the other movies, which had more greyish overlay.

 

With regard to the story, thankfully the usual Odoru theme of bureaucracy is not brought into the spotlight. Instead, the drama is delivered with the subplot of Aoshima being misdiagnosed with cancer... (I did not make that up). This sounds so far-fetched outright that it becomes the main disadvantage of this movie. I realise that the makers wanted some emotional scenes between Aoshima and Sumire (Eri Fukatsu) as well as some big catharsis towards the end (that Aoshima is actually healthy and the x-ray was faulty), but it is really uninspiring to watch. Especially when the script tried to turn Aoshima into Dabney Coleman’s character from Short Time (1990), as he is unafraid of anything, because he knows that he is going to die. The movie could easily got away without this subplot, and thus, decrease its lengthy runtime (140 minutes).

 

When all was said about the downsides, some positives have to be mentioned. Well, Kyoko Koizumi returns as Manami Hyuga from the first movie and she is revealed to be the main villainess of this story. However, contrary to her performance in Movie 1, Koizumi gives a very distanced and frigid portrayal of a crazy psychopath, so do not expect to hear her hysterical laughter or see her running amok with a loaded gun.

 

When the action is there, it is entertaining, especially with Akihiko Matsumoto’s main theme. New characters serve as a good addition to Aoshima’s team, though they are not given much time in the movie. Oh! Susumu Terajima has a small cameo in one of the scenes as Detective Kijima. Also, Shun Oguri plays Torigai, a Harvey Dent-like character who appears to start off as a good guy but gradually transforms into a baddie by the fourth movie.

 

About the performances, the original cast shines as brightly as ever with Yuji Oda and Eri Fukatsu in the leading roles. Toshiro Yanagiba’s appearance as Muroi Shinji is slightly limited in this sequel, but it’s always great to see him. Yusuke Santamaria and Kotaro Koizumi also return from Negotiator: Mashita Masayoshi (2005) and the WPS chiefs (Soichiro Kitmura, Satoru Saito, Takehiko Ono) are funny as always, though one can tell that the passage of time has taken a toll on them.

   

Recommendations

To sum up, Odoru Daisōsasen The Movie 3: Yatsura o Kaihō Seyo! is a fun and refreshing entry in the series. Though uneven at times, it’s a safe pick for Friday night. Unfortunately, it may not be suited for repetitive viewing. Probably that is the reason why it did well in the box office (over 7 billion yen), but not as good as the two previous films. However, it has the cast, it has the music, and it has the entertaining factor. This is a fully fledged Bayside Shakedown sequel.

Overall score: 8/10