I saw the film at the cinema years ago and came out as the only person in the group that appeared to like it. SOme of my friends begrudgingly let slip that "the actions scenes were cool" or that "the chicks were hot", and it was then that I updated my list of people not to see movies with.
Yes, the main girl is cute and yes the action scenes are cool, but in my mind a film doesn't earn the designation "crap" because it doesn't sate one's thirst for blood and titillation. Sadly it seems that Japanese film has scored a legion of followers expecting everything to be "extreme". It doesn't help that Western marketers pander to this lowest common denominator. This latest Sukeban Deka movie is pure teen drama and super-hero action and it doesn't need misogynistic violence, tentacles or acupuncture needles in tender places to be entertaining.
The main character is established early on as the daughter of now outcast original "Sukeban Deka", translating to "Girl-gang leader Detective". She is reportedly just as cute and just as aggressive as her mum. After a very stylish intro and opening credits (cool rotoscoping) the daughter, taking her mother's old moniker, Asamiya, as well as her old job, is sent to investigate an Internet based terrorist organisation. It is here that the film sets into "highschool detective" mode where all manner of tangled intra-personal troubles and dark motivations are unraveled.
Anyone familiar with the above genre will probably know what that entails: bullies, student politics, trust and friendship, and there is nothing wrong with that. Interspersed with the detective work is intrigue, action and character building enough to draw the viewer along to the climax, which is comprised of a couple of great action setpeices but unfortunately a slightly disappointing conclusion.
Kenta Fukasaku has put together a stylish film that works well within obvious budget constraints and ultimately delivers some great cheesy fun, reminiscent of the TV dramas before it. No, it isn't gory, and no, those expecting the next "Asia Extreme Gorefest" with blood, bodily fluids and TnA all over the place, are not going to be happy. But if you can put aside your base desires and just enjoy the flimsy teen drama and cheesy action, you will enjoy yourself.
Yes, the main girl is cute and yes the action scenes are cool, but in my mind a film doesn't earn the designation "crap" because it doesn't sate one's thirst for blood and titillation. Sadly it seems that Japanese film has scored a legion of followers expecting everything to be "extreme". It doesn't help that Western marketers pander to this lowest common denominator. This latest Sukeban Deka movie is pure teen drama and super-hero action and it doesn't need misogynistic violence, tentacles or acupuncture needles in tender places to be entertaining.
The main character is established early on as the daughter of now outcast original "Sukeban Deka", translating to "Girl-gang leader Detective". She is reportedly just as cute and just as aggressive as her mum. After a very stylish intro and opening credits (cool rotoscoping) the daughter, taking her mother's old moniker, Asamiya, as well as her old job, is sent to investigate an Internet based terrorist organisation. It is here that the film sets into "highschool detective" mode where all manner of tangled intra-personal troubles and dark motivations are unraveled.
Anyone familiar with the above genre will probably know what that entails: bullies, student politics, trust and friendship, and there is nothing wrong with that. Interspersed with the detective work is intrigue, action and character building enough to draw the viewer along to the climax, which is comprised of a couple of great action setpeices but unfortunately a slightly disappointing conclusion.
Kenta Fukasaku has put together a stylish film that works well within obvious budget constraints and ultimately delivers some great cheesy fun, reminiscent of the TV dramas before it. No, it isn't gory, and no, those expecting the next "Asia Extreme Gorefest" with blood, bodily fluids and TnA all over the place, are not going to be happy. But if you can put aside your base desires and just enjoy the flimsy teen drama and cheesy action, you will enjoy yourself.