Review: This somewhat "prequel" to the 1997 film Young Thugs: Innocent Blood is considered Takashi Miike's favorite film among his entire filmography. Based on the novel by Riichi Nakaba, who also appears in this film, the story is about a young boy's journey into learning that life is not all it's cracked up to be. The lead character is played by newcomer Shonosuke Shufukutei and his name is Riichi Nakaba. His father is played by Japanese veteran actor Naoto Takenaka. Takenaka gives a menacing performance as a drunken man who has no respect for his family whatsoever. In one painfully and disturbing scene, Takenaka's characters is punished in a way that I can't even describe but fits perfect for the Miike genre.

Now, there are some Miike-esque elements here but not as many. Yet, there is one fantasy sequence involving Yuji's brother doing something that will offend some viewers, but in a comical way. There are some violent scenes here, mainly involving Takenaka's character. Miike was smart not to show too much brutality on children as most viewers will just turn it off and be offended. However, this is a depiction of true life in the eyes of a young 6th grader...

The Bottom Line: Young Thugs: Nostalgia is a fantastic look at real life through the eyes of a young boy as he progresses to adulthood. A must see for Miike fans!!

The film follows Riichi, a ten year old Osaka boy growing up at the tail end of 1969. His father, Kotesu (Miike regular, Naoto Takenaka) and mother couldn't be more opposite. The two cannot even seem to share the same house. For instance, his irresponsible father shows up drunk with a stripper causing Riichi's workaholic, straight-laced mother to take off. Later, his father convinces her to come back, only to take off on some drunken escapade to who knows where. It just seems to be the cycle of their life, and Riichi is reflective of the two, on one hand thoughtful and caring, on the other, wild, impulsive, and rough.

The only calm figures in his life are his teacher and grandfather. The former of is a sweet and caring center, the latter a typical prideful grandfather, who, when Riichi comes home bloodied form a fight, proudly gathers the locales around him and regales them with the heroic tale of his fightin' grandson.

Young Thugs: Nostalgia doesn't have a three act structure. There isn't any grand after school lesson to be learned (thank god). It is just about growing up. Riichi and his buddies Gasu and Kotesu get into scrapes with Riichi's rival, Sada, flirt with running away, build a replica of the Apollo 11 spacecraft, and in general, just be kids in the sunny days of youth.

Part of that loose structure has to do with the film being adapted from a series of novels which detail Riichi growing up into a hoodlum. The film series begins with the older Riichi, with the second film (Innocnet Blood) detailing his teen years, and this, the last film, being about his childhood. However, though some of the snippets and brief glimpses of characters (like the girl who will one day be Riichi's girlfriend) make more sense in the grander context, it is clear that the movie was meant to be a collection of snapshots and a firm grasp of the grander story isn't necessary to enjoy Young Thugs: Nostalgia.

Takashi Miike's black humor and anarchists energy command the film. It feels fresh, young, and alive. Miike's goofiness, imagination, and vitality makes for fitting marriage with a story of youth and coming of age. The young cast is wonderful, from the stone-faced Kotetsu, to the meek Gasu, and our lead, the perpetually bruised and scraped Riichi.

Young Thugs: Nostalgia is a sad reminder of how watered down Hollywood youth films have become since the politically correct nineties. As a kid, I grew up with the The Goonies and Karate Kid, but I also had The Bad News Bears and Stand By Me, which realistically treated kids as the foul-mouthed and more worldly tykes they can often be. I went to a sheltered Christian school, but I could still relate more to The Bears than I could The Apple Dumpling Gang. It is nearly impossible to imagine a Hollywood kid film today where the kids are cussing, beer guzzling, or the slightest bit wisned. Overprotective parents would burn down the theater. Luckily, films like Young Thugs: Nostalgia paint a more realistic picture. Riichi still has some childhood innocence (he is young enough to be pre-sexual- not to say he isn't curious) but because of his family life, he has a temper, mischievousness, and maturity that keeps him from being some doe-eyed middle schooler.

6th grader Riichi survives the kind of torments that would drive most people to suicide. His father is a monstrous bully who regularly beats both the boy and his mother, while Riichi also has to constantly battle against local gangs. Fortunately he’s more than capable of taking care of himself and despite gathering fresh bruises every day, he maintains a strong spirit. He also finds an unexpected confident in his school teacher and a strange relationship develops between the two.

In the wrong hands such a film could be quite depressing but Miike takes a light-hearted approach to the subject matter, almost as if the boy accepts what is happening because he doesn’t know any better. Peppered throughout the film are also the kind of surreal moments that are expected from the maverick director; all I’ll say is that I could see from a mile off where that broomstick handle was going.

Miike manages to inject the same level of quality that is prevalent in all of his films and this is a very competent piece of work; both in terms of production values and the acting which avoids the melodramatic and creates a completely natural and believable impression.

6th grade student Riichi lives a tough life. Between the endless battles with a gang of local punks, and his less than functional home life, it is safe to say the poor kid got a raw deal. Despite his hand in life though, Riichi manages to make the best of things with the help of some thick skin, a few good friends, and a true sense of resilience.

Review: In an interview located on the Artsmagic DVD, Takashi Miike is translated as saying that Young Thugs – Nostalgia is his most favorite cinematic creation. When one takes into consideration the scope and intensity of Miike’s canon, it becomes easy to appreciate the true weight of that statement. Much like the director himself, those who follow Miike’s work undoubtedly have a personal favorite and a reason behind that decision. Whether it be Audition for its unsettling atmosphere, Ichi The Killer with its over the top characters and cartoon-like gore, or any of the dozens of other films that comprise the man’s filmography; if you like his style you more than likely have a favorite that strikes a chord with you, for better or for worse.

After seeing Young Thugs – Nostalgia (the second in the series, though not directly related to the first), I find myself evaluating my own personal Miike favorite, and coming up with a very similar answer. It is rare to see a V-Cinema production (Japanese straight-to-video) with so much heart, especially one of Miike’s. That is not to say that any of Miike’s films lack passion, quite the contrary in fact, but often it seems that style or circumstance overtakes that necessary aspect of character development, leaving a slight void which only manages to hinder the overall product. On the other hand, we find in this particular production just what happens when the plot does not lend itself to excessive expressions of style. The characters can take a minute to breath and the result is rewarding, and particularly in Miike’s case, refreshing.

Now for those who revel in Miike’s typical insanity, fear not. While there is not the overabundance of something like Dead or Alive, there still exists a strange quirk at times that shows all the distinguishing marks of its maker. Naoto Takenaka in particular shows us his Miike alumni roots as he manages to be both the bastard and the charmer all at once. As useless as he is crazy, this street-punk-turned-father manages to beat his wife, son, and his son’s teacher all within a few seconds, only to wrap the scene by having an unforgettable altercation with a broomstick.

Another slight calamity that often befalls Miike’s earlier works is that of the cinematography of the film reflecting the budget. While Young Thugs – Nostalgia is not exactly the type of film that would require a slick look, it still manages to have been photographed in a clean yet artistically sound way that complements the story perfectly.

As for the premise, there is not much that can be said without running the risk of overcomplicating what most of us know as the family unit. Riichi’s a young boy who lives with a comically strange grandfather, an overstressed and terribly underappreciated mother, and a father who does not seem to realize the typical obligations that usually come with being a human being, much less a husband and a parent. Riichi manages to cope with his home life without turning the plot into a pity party, and the rest is just life. Most of us live it to some degree or another and it is this common thread that the average viewer will connect with and relate to.

The Film:
Young Thugs Nostalgia is the prequel to Young Thugs Innocent Blood and just like its predecessor this film main focus is Riichi. We are shown how Riichi meets his buddies with whom he would later form a gang and we are introduced to his are nemesis Sada. Riichi's future girlfriend Royko is only used sporadically in this film. Her character is underused while Miike focuses mainly on Riichi and his two friends Kotetsu and Yuji adventures.

Coming of age films really took off with Rebel Without a Cause and each new generation gets their own films to latch on too. Youth is eternal and as we grow older we all long for the time when we were once young. Takashi Miike with Young Thugs Nostalgia weaves a tale that celebrates and mourns this innocence that is lost as we grow older.

Young Thugs Nostalgia has a straight forward narrative and it is Miike most restrained film to date. Miike effectively uses black and white while showing flashbacks while keeping the present day in color. For a film that revolves around a cast of mostly children Miike manages to keep things interesting and the film moves at a brisk pace. The film takes place in 1969 and the overall look of the period has been authentically replicated by Miike.

The most bizarre moment in the film happens when the grandfather and father get into an argument. In trademark like Miike moment the grandfather shoves a broom up the father's ass. A wonderfully executed moment in the film when Sada and Riichi are about to face off Miike uses Ennio Morricone's "Sixty Seconds to What?" from For A Few Dollars More as the boys stare each other down. Miike has a knack for taking ordinary situations and elevating them into something more bombastic.

Though containing elements of the sudden and shocking brutality that many associate with this director, Young thugs - Nostalgia is more concerned with a child's moment of leaving the internalized world of fantasy, and passing on eagerly to the next stage of life. A wonderful, touching, startling vision that is uniquely Miike's.

This film is a prequal to the earliers, young Thugs: Innocent Blood. Shown the childhood of Riichi and how his family coupes with a boozing, beating and cheating father. Another storyline forms of Riichis School Teacher, Ito attempting to sort out Riichi family problems, although most of the time he and his dad just look at her chest.

There is also the crazy grandfather, who has strong methods of punishment...which include a broom! He also spends his time tring to contact Apollo 11!

This is a real random movie, some times it is strange and pointless, other times its touching and realistic. I prefared this movie much more than Miikes past effort with Young Thugs: Innocent Blood, which was more bizare, but which Miike movie is normal?