 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | VIZ PICTURES | | | ▪ | ASPECT RATIO: | | 1.85.1 WIDESCREEN | | | ▪ | AUDIO: | | JAPANESE DD 2.0 W/ ENGLISH SUBTITLES | | | ▪ | RUNNING TIME: | | 120 MIN | | | ▪ | RATING: | | NR | | | ▪ | THEATRICAL RELEASE: | | SEATTLE - 05/02 - 08/2008
LOS ANGELES - 05/23 - 29/ 2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 04/30/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | DAVEY C. JONES |
A comedy brought to us by the writer of Ping Pong, Kankuro Kudo, the movie Maiko Haaaan!!! is an absurdist comedy to remember. It starts off with a boy who is forever changed when he meets a helpful Maiko (apprentice Geisha) during a trip to Kyoto. The boy grows up with a dream – to find true love with a real Maiko in Kyoto. Naturally this comes at quite a disturbance to his girlfriend, his work, and his livelihood. However Onizuka is a man that doesn’t let reality get in the way of his single-minded wish and so embarks on an incredible adventure that will leave audiences rolling in their seats with laughter. It is a robust comedy with lively Kyoto energy that pops off the screen and takes over the film right from the start. Filled with vivid colors and louder than life characters, the energetic film sees many a tumultuous event as Onizuka strives to obtain the impossible. He is thwarted first by the rules of Maiko houses that disallow service to new comers with no “mentor”. He ends up infuriated when he discovers that the rival that has been flaming his Geisha website is in fact a millionaire baseball star who is king of the Maiko houses. It sets his envy on fire and Onizuka goes from using a brilliant and zany idea to make money, to becoming a baseball star in order to compete with his rival Naito. However he is not the only one who has traveled to Kyoto to change their life. The woman he broke up with has followed his footsteps there in order to become a Maiko herself and maybe win back the heart of the silly man she loves. She’ll find a lot in her way however, as the competition between Onizuka and Naito hits insane extremes fast. Whether it’s baseball, movie stardom or even a mayoral election, Onizuka will stop at nothing to try to take Naito down a notch. In fact his competition seems to overtake his once single-minded desire to court a Maiko. By the third act, the story takes a completely different tone when dramatic elements are introduced. A secret, a family’s shame, a forbidden love all come to bear on the main players of this farce. It is a bit of an abrupt change of pace. Even the cinematography alters to reflect the more serious elements, sobering the colors and the characters tone down their extreme personalities as the drama plays out. In the end an attempt to ruin the Maiko houses sees the Maikos arming themselves and storming the mayor’s office and Onizuka making a last ditch effort to both attain his dream and still compete against his rival. There is so much in this two hour film that it can be a bit overwhelming. The colors and exuberance of the show is utterly fantastic and overtakes viewer immediately. There is even a grand song and dance number about twenty minutes into the film that is both hilarious and visually eye-catching. It is a notable feat considering it is only the second feature film directed by Nobuo Mizuta, known more for his popular TV drama series. Sadawo Abe is unforgettable as the slap stick over the top character Onizuka. This marks his first starring role. Viewers may recognize him from another of Viz Pictures’ live action releases KAMIKAZE GIRLS. The physical and visual comedy of the movie is abundant. Curiously, Onizuka’s girlfriend, who has quite a bit of build up in the film, is left to the side when it comes to wrapping everything up. Nevertheless, for fans of such visually stunning and wacky comedic splashes as King Fu Hustle,, Ping Pong and KAMIKAZE GIRLS, you’re in for a rollercoaster ride of comedic gaffs and visually vibrant style in Maiko Haaaan!!! Maiko Haaaan!!! premieres first in Seattle May 2-8 at the Grand Illusion Cinema located on 1403 NE 50th Street, Seattle, WA 98105. In Los Angeles the film has a Press Screening May 8th at 2:00PM and then a theatrical screening May 23-29 at the Imaginasian Center, located at 251 South Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
IN SUMMARY:
Maiko Haaaan!!! is a boisterous comedy with wacky characters, lots of slap stick and one zany moment after another. It is a must see for fans of Ping Pong, KAMIKAZE GIRLS, and Kung Fu Hustle.
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