A sensitive and emotional journey.
Yes, my rating may be high, but I don’t think undeservedly so.It’s hard to know where to start for this review, the film’s cinematography is stunning, attention to detail is just-so, while the characters are realistic and truly embodied by their actors. The soundtrack matched perfectly the events onscreen. When I left the cinema, walking home quietly at night, life felt beautiful. That is the feeling this film left me with.
I also loved the creative decisions made in storytelling, which added major depth and impact to scenes that may have stood out less otherwise. I love the film in a quiet and reflective sense; it doesn’t rush to throw so many things at the viewer at once (with the possible exception of subtitles, being a bilingual film). In that sense the film is much like a journey you go on together with the leads.
The attention to detail with language was not lost on me, as the characters knew each other longer, their language abilities noticeably grew and improved, which may seem small but is of major importance.
I have, at most, one critique for the film; which would relate to it being a bit cliché with one element, but this didn’t take away from my viewing experience, nor that of the friend next to me who didn’t notice it.
If you can watch this in cinemas I absolutely recommend doing so; albeit if you aren’t relatively fluent and literate in Mandarin or Japanese, it may be linguistically tricky. If you’re looking at this sometime in the future and debating if it’s worth your time, please give it a go!
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A creatively thrilling ride.
I will keep this review spoiler-free. I saw this in the cinema today and it was not what I would have guessed in any way (nor did it resemble the works some commenters have mentioned).All the way through this film had me fully engaged. It didn’t rely on any cheap jumpscares or implausible elements that would lead to plotholes or break immersion; if anything, what’s scary is the plausibility. There was some serious attention to detail from the cast and creators, which lead to me well and truly enjoying the experience.
The actors all nailed their parts, the soundtrack was unobtrusive but used perfectly when it had its moment (a hard feeling to describe but that moment was perfect). I was left with two small questions that would likely be answered by being better at Japanese, however I can also say I was left deeply satisfied with what I watched.
A little point of caution is that this film is graphic - the murder cases aren’t glossed over and there’s injury detail.
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Kingdom 4: Return of the Great General
3 people found this review helpful
It’s a good film, whether you’ve seen the prequels or not.
So, having singled this out amongst the trailers in cinemas a few months ago, I’d been planning to watch to this one for a while. However, I did fail to watch the rest of the films in the series to prepare myself properly. This did not prevent the film from being enjoyable at all! It was very solid.Perhaps my rating should come with a pinch of salt, as fans of the previous films would almost certainly rate this higher.
The action is very very solid. It’s also particularly well done for not feeling like “flying men” at all, as some of these surreal historical pieces can do. Action on and off horseback largely a joy to watch. The film has plenty, and I mean plenty, of action. Cinematography? It’d give it a yay? Acting was incredibly strong, along with the music. These really brought things together nicely.
Plot comments shouldn’t come from me as I’m no veteran of the series, but it was well thought out and I did enjoy the story.
There were some small immersion breakers - such as how I couldn’t help but notice every time I could see a certain character’s underarm, that it was always perfectly clean shaven - was this a continuity choice? Possibly, although I can’t be sure. The only other one (which I totally understand, for safety) was a couple times where the animatronic horses felt too obvious - that’s coming from someone who has been riding from a young age though, again, so probably not going to affect everyone’s experience. That was for the main actors. However, there were a number of moments that left me impressed with the horses and their riders in the film (the vast majority of which, real).
The only major drawback is - to those with commitment issues, like me - 146 minutes is a LONG runtime. So this was a bit long for my taste, and there was no interval in cinemas, it was simply buckle in and enjoy the ride.
Overall I would most definitely recommend to anyone interested. I will be indulging in the previous instalments of the series when I have some time to do so. It may also go without saying, but should there be a fifth film, I will likely be trekking out to see that one in cinemas if I have the chance.
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An unexpected but enjoyable experience.
A unique and distinct story is told by this film. When I started it, I was not aware it would be horror, but these aspects were handled well. If you’re looking for an unguessable but well told story with horror, mystery, and supernatural elements, this may be a good watch for you.The visual effects were impressively well done, and the sound design very atmospheric and immersive (pun not intended) to complement the well constructed visuals. Overall I’d say the film was very well thought out and as an experience I’d rate it highly. The shots and transitions were also crafted well to fit the pacing and changes that needed to be matched.
Personally, I wouldn’t say I was highly invested in the film character wise, if you’re looking for a character driven experience, probably not the film for you.
What I enjoyed:
- The unique premise involving a VR world modelled to be identical to the real world
- The immersive visual and sound design
- The incorporation of some cultural elements that intertwine with the supernatural elements
- The overall unreadable mystery
What I didn’t enjoy:
- No real feeling of connection or investment with any of the characters
- It wasn’t really a film I would have picked out; I was a captive audience and it was what was available to me
If you’re looking to watch it, good luck to you! I don’t know when it will be widely available and only watched as I had a very long flight with nothing else to be doing.
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That happened.
This film is a rather twisted tail, and in short I will say that if the trailer catches your eye, it is probably right for you.If you’re looking for something dark with lots of tense - at times unbearably so - moments, dive right on in. I’d joke about there being something for every kind of thriller/mystery enjoyer - a tense criminal investigation, the darker side of humanity, forbidden connections being made, untellable desperation.
I have mixed feelings about some aspects upon reflection, however these are possibly gripes to do with target audience not including me. I’d put this down as noir and it was certainly reflected by the cinema audience; that being a handful of senior citizens (predominantly men), a young couple that left halfway through, and myself.
What is done well? Acting, casting, cinematography, visual and sound design. The acting in particular was immaculate, regardless of taste in what was being acted out.
What didn’t sit so well with me? Mainly the meekness of the female lead, which, it later became clear to me was the draw for the target audience. There was indulgence of the male fantasy that may alienate some, as it somewhat did me.
The nitty-gritty with me and the female lead was the obvious choices made about how she used her voice. The deliberately high pitch, soft breathy tone, combined with a stature I might describe as frail in my own bias, did not sit well with me. Most women are not like this, in Japan or otherwise, and it in some ways drew a line that separated the film from plausible reality. I’m not demanding all female characters be strong in stature or have deep voices, I’d just say such an intense portrayal of these typically “appealing” to some, delicate feminine traits, is not really for me. [Again, quite possibly a target audience issue.] Although I will also at this point take time to mention that the other female characters do not embody these same characteristics, which helps. I very much liked the journalist character and all of her onscreen moments.
Nonetheless, I did very much enjoy the film and the setting (in rural Japan, using dialect) gave it a more distinct flavour that allows it to stand out positively within the thriller/noir genre. It also made aspects of the story more plausible because of being removed from the interconnected network of the city.
[Watched at opening weekend.]
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A well-done co-production.
(Love Song) is a film that took a pretty big risk, simply by being a co-production. With only two cast members that speak both Thai and Japanese with some fluency, putting this film together and it being good it quite the feat. With a Thai director, the Japanese cast members also found themselves bewildered by some cultural differences in the directing, which I saw them talking about in a special cinema-live broadcast interview before watching the film in the cinema.However, all that aside, this film works. There aren’t any characters who suddenly understand a language they shouldn’t, and there were also smart decisions made with which lines of Thai dialogue got subtitles and which ones didn’t. That is, that in scenes with an interpreter present, you don’t get the subtitles, you get to wait and listen to what the interpreter says, which I quite like personally as an immersive experience.
Now, looking past my initial wonder about how they made the film work linguistically, there is a story of unrequited love, difficulty in expressing emotion, and a solid dose of humour to go with it. The humour also was a good blend of Japanese and Thai-style humour. The comedic relief from the emotional main storyline was also well used. I will admit, I teared up at a couple points in the film, and considering how much laughter I also had to hold in, that is a feat. I spent a good portion of the film grinning, one way or another.
The song was great and the story, while relatively simple, had emotional depth to be appreciated. The film really succeeded by not trying to do too much, and by doing that, it a stand-out in the otherwise mixed world of international co-productions, which often struggle to impress.
I recommend this film to any and all who are interested! As for the cast, they suggested it could be enjoyed alone, with close friends, or even with family (albeit it may be a bit embarrassing).
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Very much an anime-style live action.
Overall, it is what it says on the tin. A mind-free action comedy.Personally wasn’t all too sure about Raul’s yankee talk, felt a little idol-actor to me (which, to be fair, he is), however Tsuchiya Tao really stole the show here. The eccentricity and costume paired with, by far, the most entertaining and interesting character.
Plot wise it felt pretty standard, and as far as live action adaptations go, visually, they went the eccentric, anime-style route, which, to their credit, worked well paired with the over the top, anime-style acting.
Personally, the music detracted in a few moments for me. Might be a personal taste thing but there you go. Personally won’t revisit this.
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Watch the tv show first, then you can enjoy(?) this.
Okay so my personal take (prior to reading the other review, which I also think is relevant), was that I thought it was very much a fun movie. I enjoyed the whole thing, albeit a bit too predictable in places. Plot and writing wise I can’t say it was strong, but it’s a movie based upon a real-time reality tv show. I wasn’t exactly here for plot and writing, but the fun of the premise of the tv show - that being - running away from hunters to win money.Writing wise, to sum up why it seems to have harsh reviews everywhere, is that it feels like it was written for the 6-12 year olds. I’m also 90% sure that wasn’t the audience of the original or the demographic of the fans (of the tv show or the idol groups). So it was an odd choice.
If you’re not into Fantastics, JO1, or the original show (premise), I wouldn’t recommend.
Not really sure what to say beyond that. It’s a fun, easy watch that doesn’t demand thinking and the cast are who they are. For me the highlights were the music and the cast.
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A clever film that will inevitably lose a lot in translation.
Bakudan does what it says on the tin. For a film where at least half of the runtime is spent in an interrogation room, it maintains interest and delivers very clever use of dialogue and wordplay.Unfortunately, the clever dialogue and wordplay is both the film’s greatest strength domestically and weakness when translated. Many of the clues given throughout the film are subtle linguistic clues that rely heavily on wordplay in the most Japanese way possible. Without a broad understanding of Tokyo the way a Brit would understand London, even a successful translation would be hampered by the general knowledge requirement - without which it becomes harder to engage in the mystery and puzzle aspects of the plot.
However, looking past the cultural and linguistic hurdles, there is still merit to be found in watching this film. The cinematography is very well done, able to deliver the feeling of unease and discomfort the film aims for in appropriate moments. If you’re sat across the table from an unhinged individual that is your only lead for hours on end, you will begin to notice even the smaller details of their mannerisms and appearance. This is well portrayed through the cinematography, one brilliant detail of which was just the right level of bothersome to never truly go away once noticed.
The visual and practical effects are well done, and the believability of characters is also solidly grounded. Pacing wise, I have no complaints and think the pacing was near enough perfection. 2 hours and 17 minutes is a long time to keep me sat in one place, and yet, through the way the pace continued to develop throughout the film maintained the right amount of momentum and development to keep me curious.
The most biased comment I will make is that I think the ending was superbly well done. Very clever choices were made in how to go about the final quarter of the film and it also does that thing that Japanese films and media often do, in highlighting the overlooked humanity in these situations.
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Brutal, Heartbreaking, Bleak, but somehow still Beautiful.
Watched 26/10/2025 at opening weekend.Before going in to watch, I happened to see the director had said that she wanted to showcase the harsh realities of rising poverty amongst youth, an issue not often enough highlighted in modern Japan. The main symptom seen of this in media is the rise of so-called ‘yami baito’ in the news - in English, effectively ‘crime part time’ as desperate youths whose backgrounds aren’t so fortunate desperately try to stay afloat to afford rent, university, and the like.
This film showcases four such people, whose circumstances leave them nothing else to turn to. I did not expect to be so emotionally moved by this film, at all. The storytelling was also cleverly done, as nothing is revealed too quickly, yet upon seeing the whole picture, there is still beauty in the humanity you can find amidst the brutality. The story is largely told in three arcs, one for each protagonist, and the pacing was exactly as it needed to be. The use of perspective was also particularly clever in the sense that you start the film through the lens of the youngest and most inexperienced of the three protagonists, which also serves as an appropriate introduction to the world of yami baito for those unfamiliar with it. Acting was spectacular and gut-wrenching in exactly the ways it needed to be.
This film brought a range of emotions out in me, from the visceral nausea of reality to the sweetness that cannot be separated from the bitterness. This is not a film full of cheer, hope, and optimism, but it is still a film with a painfully heartwarming glimmer even at the most desperate times.
The closing song is beautiful and fitting, and other than that, the soundtrack was unobtrusive. In fact, I was so deeply invested in the story and characters I didn’t notice any music until the credits rolled, however there was most certainly music there and a composer credited.
I absolutely recommend this to anyone who can see it in cinemas, or anyone who enjoys crime-thrillers in general. It is a superbly well acted film. This is easily the best Japanese film I have seen since 18x2 Beyond Youthful Days (which I also reviewed at the time).
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Violence, Blood, Gore.
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Classic style action-comedy done right.
Before I launch into any kind review, you do not need any context to enjoy this film. It can be enjoyed both in isolation and in context of previous works.A very enjoyable action comedy that you could bring the whole family along to watch. Imagine a James Bond style film, but instead, place a pair of retired Japanese cops with a solid sense of humour and style in the spotlight.
The soundtrack was PERFECTION and I don’t have much else to say about that. The veteran actors still got it, a still stylish and legendary duo. The story was fun, and that’s the easiest way I can describe it.
The film didn’t let itself get bogged down in politics or agendas, it wasn’t trying to appease anyone or anything, it aimed for fun and hit the bullseye.
This made me want to watch the previous instalments of the series. I cannot recommend it enough. It’s the kind of fun that makes people feel nostalgic to about the fun going to the movies years ago.
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Enjoyable, but I would have been frozen.
Watched on opening night.The only things I can fault in this film are some dodgy special fx choices, the largely irrelevant detail of the outdoors on the mountain being quite clearly fake (which, yes, it needed to be for safety reasons). And, wildly inappropriate layers for that kind of climb (a very small part of the film). If you can get past that, you’re good to go.
However overall this is a decent film. I’d say it feels more like horror/thriller instead of just thriller. The story unfolded in a way that made it overall more intriguing as you learn more and more about the characters. I enjoyed the direction it went in.
If you like the premise, go for it?
Notes: The ending is not the same as in the manga. The film is also bilingual (70% Japanese, 30% Korean).
Warnings: Gore.
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Misleading synopsis, messy visual effects.
Yes, unfortunately you read that correctly. I spent the first 15 minutes wondering if I’d somehow stumbled into the wrong historical piece, to which the answer was unfortunately, no, I had not.The bloom and lighting in this film is so intense I had to look away from brightness hurting my eyes periodically, combined with some immersion-breaking visual effects and background choices. The bloom was more intense than that in most video games, so be aware if you’re sensitive to bright lights.
In regards to the synopsis, it is not false words, but more that it gives the misleading impression that this is a film of revenge and calculated action - the reality being that it was largely slow, meandering, and seldom had action.
Why isn’t my rating lower? The short answer would be casting and supporting characters. The main character’s daughter, his underlings, the rather scary lady who ran a local establishment, all provided engagement. Overall, the acting and casting were solid, if not much else in this film.
It was a funny moment upon realising Kiyohara Kaya was also in this film, being as only two weeks before I was watching her in 18x2 Beyond Youthful Days. She must have been busy.
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Got lost along the way…
So, as much as I do not wish to use comparison in my reviews, the short way of summing this film up is be saying Wind Breaker fell into the traps that Tokyo Revengers did not, as both are works in the same genre (and style). Having watched both films without the context of their anime or manga, Tokyo Revengers drew me into the world and characters with a sense of purpose, while Wind Breaker left me wondering what crucial information was missing from the film that lead to me never really investing in the characters or events of the film.The characters were lacklustre and not given sufficient depth or drive, with only two exceptions (neither of whom are the protagonist). While the film attempted to give characters enough background and depth with small snippets of the past, only one of these flashbacks truly felt meaningful. The end result was a film that felt somewhat meandering and slow, in spite of a strong enough start and being in the action genre.
There was also a major failing in the special fx area with one character’s feet not looking like feet (likely due to a combination of safety issues and lack of vfx budget) which was a distraction in one of the major fights.
Soundtrack was generally decent although unfortunately I’m pretty sure I heard a slur in one of the songs used early in the film which is also not great.
If you are a fan of the cast, then watch it. If you are a fan of the manga or anime, perhaps watch it. If you are neither of those, give it a miss or go watch Tokyo Revengers instead.
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A film of risk, parental love, and found family.
Night Flower is a well done film with a couple of flaws, yet to what extent they are truly flaws is up for debate.The initial quarter of the film is slow, almost in a reluctant way. I was surprised by how much introduction and groundwork was laid before the leads initially met. As a strength, it sets up character depth, motivations, and context, but some may find this time to be a bit too long.
Following this, there is a steady build of tension through the film, highlighted by some fleeting ‘calm before the storm’ moments, although the incoming storm, so to speak, was in some ways anticlimactic and defied expectation. To some again, this may not be an appealing factor. However, I would counter this with the deliberateness of the storytelling, it felt very intentional, serving as a highlight to the proximity to disaster, but not yet completely lost amid the storm.
This film is full of moments of familial warmth, contrasted starkly by the bitter and cruel world of the people around them. Tamae’s new connection with Natsuki and her family becomes that of found family, and while there may be some sapphic undertones, there is no romance in this film as the focus is more on familial love, which was one major question I had had from initially seeing the poster and trailer months ago.
The acting was solid, without any over or under acting issues in key scenes. The soundtrack emphasised classical music fittingly as it is not without its place in the narrative. The narrative was at times unexpected, but in ways that lead to the film feeling deeply rooted in reality in a way that is very much true to Japanese storytelling.
Lastly, one small detail I might mention is that there were two foreign characters with bit parts, and I very much appreciated that they were not treated any differently to anyone else. The one who spoke, didn’t have a foreign accent and wasn’t treated any differently to if she had been Japanese, which I think is a nice detail, considering representation of foreigners like this in Japanese film and drama is not so common.
As for the ending, without any spoilers, I would say it is strange, unexpected, and somewhat sudden. I am very much fine with open endings, but this story left me wanting to see a continuation, yet I equally doubt there are plans for a sequel.
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