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Fairly derivative but stylish action flick. Kinda like "The Matrix", "Alien", "Transformers", and "Max Payne" all thrown together in a blender. Bonus points for the blonde villain who is so crazy that it's great fun. | | AGREE? | READER COMMENTS | AUTHOR | | Y | Totally agree. This is a great example of a totally unoriginal, but sweet, action flick! | City On Fire |
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A mediocre film with adequate performances--but it is not unentertaining. For the most part it plays fair with the time issues it raises. | | LOG IN TO COMMENT ON THIS REVIEW! |
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An awesome futuristic action romp. The visuals and storytelling were compelling from beginning to end. The action was fast and stylish and the effects were mind blowing. A great fun flick! | | AGREE? | READER COMMENTS | AUTHOR | | Y | I thought this was a great sci-fi movie from Japan. Idk what everyone is saying but it was an all right pic. | Black Belt Ninja | | N | Not that great. Commonly seen on the used rack at anyone's local mall | AH1706 | | N | a totaly rubbish movie, waste of time! | mike lee |
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This movie had some pretty good action scenes reminiscent of "The Matrix". Very good acting from Takeshi Kaneshiro. Definitely enjoyed the plot and storyline as well as the lesson on the implication caused by greed leading to destruction. | | LOG IN TO COMMENT ON THIS REVIEW! |
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This is a blast of movie! A very good blend of bullet ballet and sci fi. Though the movie had other elements, the movie didn't lose any speed when changing moods. The pacing is frenetic. Returners is a very stylish movie, so some reality elements like gravity and just many bullets does that revolver carry should be put on hold. One place alot of action movies go wrong is the villian. If you don't have a great villian, the movie doesn't have a payoff when he or she gets it in the end. Well the pay off is there! Put this movie on your to do list. | | LOG IN TO COMMENT ON THIS REVIEW! |
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| To sum up: this film is a lot of fun, has good action, excellent special effects, and contains a slightly flawed but engaging story. Highly Recommended!
Wait. That needs some background, doesn't it?
While those in the know evangelize the creative, innovative, and downright entertaining films that Japan produces, movies that spring from its fertile shores haven't been big expensive blockbusters that are enjoyed on a regular basis by American moviegoers. This may change. Returner might be in hindsight the shot across the bow, so to speak.
I certainly hope so.
The problem I find with much of modern sci-fi, is that it tends to be regurgitations of past sci-fi films. The cinema watching masses are then forced to masticate the same scenarios again and again. The only draw becomes the whos and the whats. Who is in it and what are the special effects like.
Returner is definitely a sci-fi event that rises above the rabble. The whos and the whats are great. Kaneshiro and Suzuki make an interesting duo and Kishitani is actually a good (in an evil way of course!) antagonist. Which is an excellent change from the loser villains that Hollywood has been manufacturing (Tomb Raider anyone?). Plot wise, Returner is solid. Oh yeah, it does suffer from the holes that are usual to time travel plots, but the refreshing story, which is based on but expands the science fiction plots that have gone before, balances out any detriments. |
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| | | | by John Christopher Lopez
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| Two words: Cool Movie. Those who like martial arts fighting and gunplay from start to finish won't find it here. Instead, this movie takes the to time to tell a story that is accentuated by action scenes, and, by western standards of action movies, is pretty well executed.
While it's true this movie borrows from a lot of movies (they will come to mind when a scene looks familiar) it is a unique story that works well on every level: action, crime drama, greed, bad guys, you name it. The effects are decent, but anyone who watches movies just for the effects are not watching the movie, they're watching the effects. There are, however, some sequences that you will want to watch again. This movie also has the most imaginative "alien space craft" designs I have ever seen. I won't give a way the surprise, but this movie lends weight to the notion that a live action movie of a certain cartoon/comic book is definitely do-able.
The look of the film is good. The director, Takashi Yamazaki, has a great eye for setting the mood of each scene. Before directing he was a special effects artist. Good transition for him, and the film reflects it.
Takeshi Kaneshiro, who plays the lead, has a good screen presence and is fun to watch. Ann Suzuki is right up there with him as the female lead.
Overall the film is very enjoyable. This is the kind of film that deserves to be viewed. If you like it, recommend it to others. I know I have. |
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