|
Thursday, 05 April 2007 |
 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | VIZ MEDIA | | | ▪ | ASPECT RATIO: | | 16:9 ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN | | | ▪ | AUDIO: | | JAPANESE DD 2.0 WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | | | ▪ | RUNNING TIME: | | 103 MIN | | | ▪ | RATING: | | NR | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 01/24/2006 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 04/06/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
A buddy movie to take all other buddy movies, Kamikaze Girls is an unbridled comedy that is incomparable. Based on the novel “Shimotsu Story” by Novala Takemoto (which is available in English as Kamikaze Girls, also from Viz), this chaotic live action movie takes no prisoners with laughs and completely off the wall comedy. Momoko is a precocious teenager who dreams of life in 18th century France, to the point where she adopts a frilly Lolita look no matter where she is. She has been content to live her life in her own dream world until a brash young biker girl with attitude to spare barges into her life, an act which irrevocably changes both of them. Now the two most unlikely friends in the world will have to overcome gangsters, pachinko parlors, seamstress challenges and each other to get through life and discover their dreams and their hearts together.
This movie takes off running with an eccentric style that is beyond compare. It’s hyper and doesn’t let up. The story runs rampant with a non-stop infectious energy that’s like being on a roller coaster ride. It’s thrilling and completely unpredictable. Kyoko Fukada is unforgettable as the eccentric Momoko, so determined to recreate an 18th century sensibility for and around herself. Her lines are delivered with such deadpan accuracy and sharpness that it’s delicious in laughs. Anna Tsuchiya is barely recognizable as the reckless Yanki (hoodlum) Ichigo. Her performance is delightfully over-the-top and irresistibly endearing. The two together start up a very unusual, even antagonistic relationship, that through the myriad of crazy twists and turns sees them becoming inseparable friends seeing each other through first loves, first loves lost, and an insane Yanki gang girl fight for the unforgettable finale!
The movie was helmed by the well-respected director Tetsuya Nakashima who also wrote the screenplay. The music will be of big interest to Yoko Kanno fans as she was in charge of the music and even wrote some of the key songs in the film. The music is as varied and unpredictable as the movie itself, with songs varying from different genres but each accenting the given moment perfectly.
The look of the film itself is riveting. The cinematography is done in a way to convey the zany atmosphere of the characters and their story superbly. There are even some moments of animation in the film that are a kick to see and are a brilliantly clever way to show the viewer a certain story within the story. This film has all the hallmarks of becoming a cult favorite for movie fans. It’s unique, clever and completely addictive.
EXTRAS:
Bonus features include the original Japanese theatrical trailers, Anna Tsuchiya music video, and video interviews with Japanese actresses Anna Tsuchiya (Ichigo) and Kyoko Fukada (Momoko).
IN SUMMARY:
Kamikaze is a live action movie that harbors the most unique and hilarious tale of friendship captured on film. It’s an utterly wild comedy with addictive zaniness and two characters that will steal your heart and your laughs. If you enjoy off-beat comedy with a manic energy like King Fu Hustle or Shaolin Soccer, you might want to give this non-martial arts film a try.
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6
AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com
All right reserved
|
