People Just Do Nothing: Big in Japan (2021) User Reviews

As a PJDN virgin, I still laughed a lot!

[bob-the-movie-man · 7/10 · 20 August 2021]

It's brave that such a relatively niche UK TV show should have a go at 'jumping the shark' onto the big screen. Would fans like it? And, just as importantly, would newcomers to the characters, like me, be able to enjoy the film as a standalone entity? The answer to the last question is a qualified "yes".

Positives:

• It well-surpasses the "6 laugh test" for a comedy. There are some scenes that I found extremely funny, with others that rated highly for me on the David Brent / Alan Partridge scale of cringiness.

• I've seen comment that the story is "silly" and "unbelievable". But having experienced the crazy clash between English and Japanese culture first hand, it strikes me as very true to form! The way in which the Japanese music execs try to stylise the ground as a 'boy band' ("Bang Boys"!), which Grindah greedily goes along with, is a nice satire on the music industry asserting its brand over musician's art.

• A subplot of a love story between the inept Steves and the cute Japanese translator Ishika (Ayumi Itô) is nicely done and strangely touching.

• The good news is that you don't need any previous experience of the characters to get fun out of the movie: you can jump right in. That being said though, I'm sure fans of the series will get more out of this than I did.

Negatives:

• While the ending was uplifting, I was itching to know what fallout (or success?) there was from the event we witnessed. Perhaps if its a box office success (unlikely I think!) then there will be a sequel.

Summary Thoughts on "People Just Do Nothing: Big in Japan": IMDB is littered with disastrous reviews of British TV shows that have tried and failed to make the leap from the small screen to the big screen. "On the Buses"; "Are You Being Served?"; "Steptoe and Son"; "Please Sir"; "Love Thy Neighbour" - the list is endless. They are mostly all horribly unfunny. Even the great "Morecambe and Wise", although showing occasional moments of brilliance, struggled to fully land any of their three big-screen outings.

The 'go-to' of many of these efforts was to "go abroad": take the well-loved characters and put them into a 'bigger' and stranger pool. So "People Just Do Nothing: Big in Japan" was following a well-trodden path here. It's a tribute to the team and their TV-series director Jack Clough, in his feature debut, that they pretty much pull it off.

I'd like to agree with Kevin Maher of "The Times" that the movie is full of "Japanese stereotypes... drunken businessmen, passive giggling women etc". But having travelled extensively on business in Japan, it seems pretty close to the mark with its observations to me! More importantly, the film never seems to be particularly derogatory or disrespectful of the culture. For example, they take their shoes off too much!

Key to its box office success will be whether or not it can attract an audience outside of its niche TV fan-bases. As a member of that sub-group, I really wasn't expecting to enjoy this one, but I actually did. It was good fun, and if you want a good laugh at the cinema - a pretty rare thing - then I'd recommend this one, even if - like me - you haven't seen the original TV show.

(For the full graphical review, please check out onemannsmovies on the web, Facebook and Tiktok. Thanks!)

Bang on!

[Rob-O-Cop · 8/10 · 22 September 2021]

Having experience in both UK music culture and Tokyo life this film isn't as far off the mark as some people seem to think it is.

The Tokyo locations, mostly Shinjuku and easily recognisable to locals are well chosen, the language and culture barrier details are multilayered and well observed, and not done in a way to be actually stereotypical or derogatory.

The music industry is heavily managed in Japan, and image can be meticulously sculpted, just like in the US/UK manufactured pop scene.

Faded and fallen acts can have surprise success in Japan, - 90s wash outs Kula shaker playing festivals just a few years back!!, and that success is often devoid of it's original scene context, ie Japan will like mohawked punk without knowing about thatcher govt and the social and political scene that created it, they just like the look and sound of it and enjoy it on that level.

So this film got all of that right and delivered it with good humor, although it did cherry pick its cultural points specifically to forward the story, so practically none of the amazing positive things about Tokyo were shown; it's vibrancy, respect, deep culture and history, generous and deeply funny and fun people, self aware, smart, creative, that stuff doesn't really get much of a look in here, but that's fine, it's not the story they're telling.

So too it gets the deluded low level musicians of the electronic music scene. So many clever details (why have I got a guitar in my hand??), only got 2 songs, Beatles etc, And then the social commentary is great.

"I've never received a salary in my whole life".

"I didn't enjoy it, but I loved it" "It tastes normal" etc

A lot of this rings true and is pretty funny.

I know the Japan portrayed is supposed to play on that trope "oh those crazy japs " etc but, it's not that crazy when you live amongst it.

Went in with low expectations but pleasantly surprised

[coombsstephen · 7/10 · 20 August 2021]

I have never seen the TV show but went on the strength of the adverts thinking it would probably be poor but I would take a chance.

I was very wrong, the film is very funny in places and well worth a watch. It never takes itself seriously and the laughs keep coming.

Good British humour and I am now going to find the series to watch.

Hilarious!

[alexscott-35299 · 7/10 · 22 August 2021]

I've never actually seen the TV series so I went into this film pretty much blind, I'd seen the trailer and thought it seemed pretty up my street. I was exactly right, perfect British humour with hilarious moments that lead to just an enjoyable film. The writing in this is so good and the jokes and cringe moments work so well. I like the sort of documentary style of filming this has, I think it works so well with the characters and the way they present themselves. Being from England myself there were so many British tropes and jokes in this that really made me laugh. I haven't laughed this much in a film for a long time. Nothing much to really say about this film other than go and see it if your looking for a funny new film to see. Hilarious!

Bang Boys

[alexjaymain · 7/10 · 4 December 2021]

It's about time that a series translated to a movie very very well, if you like the series you will definitely like the movie. It's a classic beginning, middle an end (un-original) but the way the movie is composed is very original. This is not a movie To watch if you want to be kept guessing until the end. But the way the movie takes you on a journey will keep you guessing. After watching this I sat back and the first thing I thought of was that was crazy. Also a few laugh out loud moments. The stayed true to the series very well. Not going to be in your top movies of all time but will certainly be a movie that you can watch and not feel like you've saved your time. Hopefully there will be a number 2.

Well done and thank you to all involved.

[benmclewee · 7/10 · 22 October 2021]

PJDN is the best TV comedy of the last decade.

It's incredibly difficult to transition a show to the big screen and I thought they did a really good job of it. Having seen it now it makes sense WHY they did another chapter as a movie.

Some have said they were just happy to see them again and I think that sentiment is really on point. Having another chapter and having it being bold enough to add what they did should be commended.

I really dislike 'purists' for TV shows who will try and show they are the real fan or something by saying that it was only good in the beginning.

It must be very difficult to keep things fresh and move things along. That can't be done by just staying the same, and so do you want more than the first series or would you rather repeatedly watch the first minute of the first episode?

I was sceptical about the attempt at a film but was never going to just bash what they tried. I expected a certain amount of enjoyment from it whatever it was like and I got that. It could definitely have been worse.

I laughed quite a lot, and was never bored as the story flowed.

I wasn't disappointed by the ending and them not performing at the concert. It was GOOD that Grindah doesn't sell-out, and that they eventually keep it real by simply performing the track among themselves together and happily.

They went on a journey (not just literally) and ended up who they really are.

Chabuddy was not quite right in it and his usually hilarious character didn't quite work for me and it felt like he had become a bit of a caricature.

I am not criticising though as obviously he had to be in it and it had to be ridiculous that he was there with no actual purpose. I get it, but it's where the film does suffer a bit.

Overall a worthy addition and just nice to have had something more that could never be accused of being the same thing as the series all over again.

Some fans will definitely love it and that means it's a success, some will be purists and hate it but who cares, and others will have a balanced perspective and ultimately appreciate it regardless of any flaws to nitpick in either the concept or the content.

The transfer doesnt quite work

[valleyjohn · 6/10 · 1 September 2021]

've missed the likes of Chabuddy G , MC Grindah , DJ Beats and Steves since the brilliant BBC comedy People Just Do Nothing left our TV screens three years ago here in the UK . So when I heard they were bringing out a film , I couldn't wait to see it , but sadly , like one of Chabuddy's business deals , this spin off , falls flat on its face .

After Brentfords largest Pirate radio has ended, the boys from Kurupt FM find their way to Japan on a epic adventure in search of Fortune and Fame.

This is not a bad film it's just extremely disappointing. Perhaps that's because I'm a fan and was expecting more laughs but I can't help but think , what on would someone who hasn't watched the show think about this movie . I'd suspect they might be a little confused.

The whole concept of them going to Japan and having their profile changed to suit a Japanese audience is an obvious one but the writers didn't take advantage of the situation as well as they could have .

There are a few funny moments , and the people in the theatre were laughing but just not enough .

Perhaps the format is only suited to being a 25 minute long TV episode and not a film and maybe it being set abroad takes the characters out of their comfort zone too much ?

I still hope they revive the TV show because I don't think it's done it's course but that's where it should stay as the transfer to big screen just didn't quite work.

So glad I wasn't disappointed

[cookerod · 7/10 · 20 August 2021]

So many comedy's from the small screen make it to the cinema as movies and tend to lose their way and the magic is lost somehow. This isn't the case here. I always wanted the TV versions longer, and here it is. The characters and feel of the movie have remained unchanged and true to the series which is the only way it could be portrayed, due to the juxtaposition the characters find themselves in. All in all, it was a masterclass of how certain sections of British culture refuse to bend to the will of corporate vipers. (In the end)

Left me wanting more!

[julio_veiga · 9/10 · 23 September 2021]

I love pjdn, and it was just so heartwarming to see that Steve's found love 😀

It was Funny but it was Pointless

[DoNotComeToTheCinemaDepressed · 6/10 · 18 August 2021]

Had some good laughs throughout the movie but the ending was a bit of a let down to be honest, i wanted to see the concert.

It's a one off watch.

Kevin & Perry Go to Japan

[nathanjayremixes-38898 · 9/10 · 19 August 2021]

Personally I was happy just to see the characters again. I watched with an almost continuous smile and was vaguely aware of the unlikeliness of the plot, but the constant Lols from a 3/4 full cinema made the silly aspects easily forgivable. 108.9 out of 10.

Very watchable

[jimtomlinson-02829 · 7/10 · 6 September 2021]

This film makes you laugh, if you like the series you won't be disappointed. Making a film out of a successful comedy TV programme is often attempted but it rarely works, pjdn pulled it off imo. Funny silliness.

Worth the watch

[atowerofdank · 5/10 · 19 August 2021]

Look, it's funny in places and is a bit silly... and that's all you'd expect from the kurupt FM fam... but in all honesty the story line was a bit predictable and I found myself not laughing as much as the average joe sat around me. But I would still recommend to watch it.

Not as funny as the T.V. show.

[Phoneutria-03 · 7/10 · 6 September 2021]

Although I quite enjoyed the movie, I have found the TV series to e more amusing than the actual film. I think that someone who hasn't watched the series would find this funny, as for a good entry to the TV show.

Still works without seeing the show

[AdrenalinDragon · 7/10 · 27 August 2021]

Wasn't sure whether to see People Just Do Nothing: Big in Japan or not because I hadn't seen a single episode of the British TV Series. I took a chance on it anyway and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed, laughed, and related to it. The accents took a bit getting used to, but after that it was fine and easy to understand all of the characters. I expect it's better if you are familiar with the show and the episodes for more context.

Doing TV series movies where characters go on holiday is nothing new. It boils down to characters and situations they get into that make them good and engaging. There was actually more emotional depth and relatability to this than I initially expected, and it's got some great shots here and there too. The Mockumentary aspect was a nice touch too. Just a fun watch overall and does what it sets out to do effectively.

7/10.

It Was Pretty Good!

[vengeance20 · 7/10 · 23 August 2021]

So having never seen or even heard of the show, I went in blind seeing this film after only seeing a few trailers. The film pretty good.

The film follows the lads who find themselves in Japan after one of their tracks gets used in a popular Game Show. But their friendship is tested when the idea of fame & the music industry isn't what the think it is.

I found the film to be pretty good! It's not amazing, but it's got some funny moments in it with plenty of scenes of cringe worthy humour! The film also presents a message of knowing who your friends are & to be yourself & not sell out! At 1 hour & 33 minutes, the pacing & runtime are good & the film had a good enough story-line to keep you entertained!

Overall, it's a pretty good film, not amazing, but it's pretty good with a lot of funny, cringe worthy moments in!

7/10.

Decent but not hilarious

[alanhowden-86367 · 6/10 · 1 January 2022]

I never saw the show but watched this after watching the trailer. Now having seen the whole film I realize that the entire story (minus the obvious ending) and all the funny bits were already in the trailer.

The film is amusing enough and the characters are good but the plot never goes anywhere unexpected (at all). It's played really, really safe which is a shame because I thought it had potential to do something a bit different.

It was ok

[loversofmovies · 6/10 · 20 August 2021]

I've been a fan of the show and cast for some time now. There has been times while watching the show I've laugh off my head but watching this movie tonight it was okay but nothing like the show. Don't get me wrong the cast were brilliant but the writing could have been so match better as in funnier.

Kurupt FM goes cinematic! Same feel as the series. Lowkey classic.

[KinoBuff2021 · 9/10 · 5 July 2023]

'People Just Do Nothing: Big in Japan' (2021) is honestly one of those very lowkey but classic films. It retains the same humor and style from the series, and is almost the perfect mockumentary film if you've seen the series.

I'm biased because I loved the series, and this film relies a little bit on the series, but as a standalone film its still funny. The humor is dry, cringey, and a perfect mockumentary style. Everything is executed surprisingly well especially the dialogue and camera shots.

My only complaints are that this film is near impossible to watch if you are in the United States. Buy the dvd or hoist the sails I guess. I do wish there was more musical performances by Kurupt FM though.

Overall, its pretty great for fans. Still pretty good for fresh ears though especially if you know people who act like an overgrown child at times. Find the film somehow and watch it!

You will laugh i'm pretty sure

[AnAverageNerd · 6/10 · 24 August 2021]

PJDN: Big in Japan was a film i was unsure about what expectations to go in with having had some prior experience of the series. This film's main aim is to get the audience laughing and it achieved this with flying colours - around 80% of the jokes were met with giggles and chuckles all round which for a 90 minute film isn't bad going. The only reason i can't rate this higher is that its not a film that will stick in my memory or have an affect on me beyond the experience at the time. That being said i do think its worth a watch especially if you enjoy the show already and even if you have no prior knowledge you will enjoy your time.

British Classic

[xmissgibsonx · 10/10 · 18 August 2021]

I love this film, it is light hearted fun with realness to everyday life. I love people just do nothing, funniest thing to come outta the UK. Please make another movie.

Watchable, but very underwhelming.

[Go_For_The_Jugular · 3/10 · 20 September 2021]

Ugh, the ratio of 'jokes to runtime' is low...very low.

When you consider that the original 20-ish minute episodes were crammed with hilarity and solid jokes every few minutes, you'd expect more from a 90 minute feature-length movie. Unfortunately, the jokes are few and far between...and the jokes aren't even that funny.

Maybe it's a different writing team to the series, or maybe the Kurupt FM novelty has just worn off. Perhaps they should of done the movie straight after the series ended, while they were still hot. Or maybe the whole 'going to Japan' thing threw things out of whack...perhaps they should of kept it in and around Brentwood. Whatever the reason is, it is very visible and apparent that this doesn't live up to the name. So don't expect too much.

Everything and everyone seems toned-down and diluted. Most of the elements that made the series a hit are missing.

It's more of a drama, than a comedy/mockumentary.

Dripping in ironic British comedy

[lucaspierregreen · 8/10 · 11 April 2022]

I loved the commentaries on Brits going abroad and doing things they would do back home, which is comical in itself; and also how big labels in the music industry can exert their power over smaller artists and coerce them into doing things they may not have originally wanted to. If you're a fan of People Just Do Nothing or the mockumentary genre as a whole, then I'd recommend giving this film a watch as it provides those moments of cringe-humour and it's great to see the characters of the show in a completely different setting to their usual Brentford estate. Honestly, a fun film that provided some much needed escapism.

Great mockumentary

[masonsaul · 8/10 · 24 August 2021]

Whilst the plot is very predictable, People Just Do Nothing: Big in Japan is still a great mockumentary that's really funny and heartwarming whilst also being very accessible to newcomers. Allan Mustafa, Hugo Chegwin, Asim Chaudhry, Steve Stamp, Dan Sylvester Woolford and Lily Brazier are all incredible. Jack Clough's direction is great, it's well filmed and well paced. The majority of the jokes land and work extremely well and the soundtrack is fantastic.

Not what I expected

[matteoenricocarra · 5/10 · 27 September 2021]

I was a little bit disappointed after watching this film. It is still funny, but not as funny as the series.

The biggest let downs of the film (for me) is that there just wasn't enough of Chabuddy and Miche, two essential characters. Chabuddy is not only being left out by the band and its new management in the movie's plot, but this also reflect on the movie itself. Same with Miche whos veing left at home, and so her character is also absent. Same for Rochelle. Finally, the entire movie didnt feel like being about Korupt FM but about the new band, Bang Boys.