4
J-pop Rulez!
It was a challenge to write this review. Not because it is meh. Quite the contrary, when it is good, it is amazing! However, in the cold lights of a post-concert low, you do notice issues. In that sense, it is . . uneven.
Firstly, the acting of our ML! While he is always good and dependable in his dramas, he is next level in this. He is the heart and soul of this series. Period. ;)
This is also where the phrase double edged sword takes on some significance.
With such a strong ML, there is little room for the other actors to showcase their acting chops. Not that they did a bad job. Each have their moments in the sun (or rain, for that matter). Yet they pale when Takeru-san is shining so brightly. He is also the executive producer. No pressure.
Secondly, the music! Any fans of j-pop, progressive rock and even jazz will rejoice. It is a roller coaster ride from start to finish. It runs the gamut from mega live concert to impromptu recital in a music store. While the actors are not professional musicians, they trained and practiced really hard for their roles and it shows. Add a bit of movie magic and voila! Awesome, believable performances. Salut! J-pop deserves a chance to blossom.
However, it does cut both ways. If you are not into the music, then this show will be opaque to you. You can still watch it as a fan of the star, but it will be a challenge to enjoy it to the fullest.
Thirdly, the script! Oh, what a glorious mess! There is an overarching plot of sorts. It mostly makes sense. It also reserves the right to do whatever it wants to move the plot along and take detours. There are the prerequisite angst, a dollop of romance and low-key family feud. In that regard, it has a hint of a mockumentary. It is a journey, for sure. There is much healing and growth in the characters. Just don't ask too many questions. The lows will come. Enjoy the highs while you can. ;)
Fourthly, the characters! This is a Pandora's box. Some characters have depth you can drown in, yet others are nothing more than one dimensional archetype. I don't want to pull each character apart because I'm not writing a doctoral thesis. ;) Every character is flawed. Some do feel a bit self-serving though.
My one real gripe is the nasty producer. He is portrayed as a megalomaniac star maker. You can almost imagine him waking up each morning chanting "if I can't control you, I'll destroy you!!!". Consider the industry they are in, and horror stories of exploitations. It feels oddly sanitized.
Lastly, the production! Wow! Just wow! Sure, there are some rough edges but where it counts, this show delivers! The direction, cinematography and staging should be studied in relevant courses. Performing on a moving boat is a challenge at the best of time, but on a wine dark sea?
The final concert is chef kiss! They have 5000 jumping and screaming extras! Even if all of them are volunteers, the logistics is still mind blowing. This is on top of sundry location and studio shots, both of performances as well as "regular" dramatic scenes. Many behind-the-scenes staff needs to take a bow. Bravo!
To be honest, I'm still a little giddy from watching the finale last night. I know the show is not perfect. Every time I try to recall some mental note I made on an issue, my mind is swamped by an earworm tune, and the afterglow of their performance.
Not to worry. I would be nitpicking anyway and we can’t have that! ;)
Firstly, the acting of our ML! While he is always good and dependable in his dramas, he is next level in this. He is the heart and soul of this series. Period. ;)
This is also where the phrase double edged sword takes on some significance.
With such a strong ML, there is little room for the other actors to showcase their acting chops. Not that they did a bad job. Each have their moments in the sun (or rain, for that matter). Yet they pale when Takeru-san is shining so brightly. He is also the executive producer. No pressure.
Secondly, the music! Any fans of j-pop, progressive rock and even jazz will rejoice. It is a roller coaster ride from start to finish. It runs the gamut from mega live concert to impromptu recital in a music store. While the actors are not professional musicians, they trained and practiced really hard for their roles and it shows. Add a bit of movie magic and voila! Awesome, believable performances. Salut! J-pop deserves a chance to blossom.
However, it does cut both ways. If you are not into the music, then this show will be opaque to you. You can still watch it as a fan of the star, but it will be a challenge to enjoy it to the fullest.
Thirdly, the script! Oh, what a glorious mess! There is an overarching plot of sorts. It mostly makes sense. It also reserves the right to do whatever it wants to move the plot along and take detours. There are the prerequisite angst, a dollop of romance and low-key family feud. In that regard, it has a hint of a mockumentary. It is a journey, for sure. There is much healing and growth in the characters. Just don't ask too many questions. The lows will come. Enjoy the highs while you can. ;)
Fourthly, the characters! This is a Pandora's box. Some characters have depth you can drown in, yet others are nothing more than one dimensional archetype. I don't want to pull each character apart because I'm not writing a doctoral thesis. ;) Every character is flawed. Some do feel a bit self-serving though.
My one real gripe is the nasty producer. He is portrayed as a megalomaniac star maker. You can almost imagine him waking up each morning chanting "if I can't control you, I'll destroy you!!!". Consider the industry they are in, and horror stories of exploitations. It feels oddly sanitized.
Lastly, the production! Wow! Just wow! Sure, there are some rough edges but where it counts, this show delivers! The direction, cinematography and staging should be studied in relevant courses. Performing on a moving boat is a challenge at the best of time, but on a wine dark sea?
The final concert is chef kiss! They have 5000 jumping and screaming extras! Even if all of them are volunteers, the logistics is still mind blowing. This is on top of sundry location and studio shots, both of performances as well as "regular" dramatic scenes. Many behind-the-scenes staff needs to take a bow. Bravo!
To be honest, I'm still a little giddy from watching the finale last night. I know the show is not perfect. Every time I try to recall some mental note I made on an issue, my mind is swamped by an earworm tune, and the afterglow of their performance.
Not to worry. I would be nitpicking anyway and we can’t have that! ;)
Was this review helpful to you?
