Initial D
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Just to set the expectations from this review, I have not read the Initial D manga, nor watched any of the anime. Therefore this review's point of view will be from the cinematic experience, and there will be no comparison on how true it stays to the manga/anime.
Despite all the star power in the film, from teeny boppers Edison Chen and Shawn Yue, to veterans Kenny Bee and Anthony Wong, this still remains a Jay Chou vehicle (pardon the pun). Jay stars as a petrol pump attendant who by day works at a petrol kiosk, and in the wee hours of the night, helps his tofu selling dad deliver tofu in an old Toyota AE86 Sprinter Trueno using a route that traverses along a winding Mount Akina.
Naturally, with his 5 years experience, he intimately knows the terrain, and gets faster each time, until a group of street racers set their sights to conquer the route.
There will definitely be comparisons with Hollywood's The Fast and The Furious series, starring Vin Diesel/Paul Walker. The similarities are there - the fast cars, the beautiful racer babes, the rivalry between arrogant drivers. You even get the same cinematography technique used that starts from the driver's POV, pulling back to the dashboard, the rear seat, the boot, and the car from a "helicopter" view.
But what sets this film apart is the way it is delivered. Being based on a comic book offers some depth to the storyline, and it helped by staying true to the setting, being based in Japan and not HK. The races in itself might seem repetitive, as the highlight seemed to be focused on its title - the "drift" technique, being used ad-nausem, but having different drivers challenge each other on the one and only route breaks the monotony as you root for your favourite to come out tops.
Given this is Jay Chou's debut movie role, it is difficult to critique if his acting skills are up to mark, as his lead character Takumi Fujiwara is a nonchalant man of few words. Which is very much like his persona. His co-stars Edison Chen and Shawn Yue could very well be their own persons as well. Chapman To, as usual, brings across the rather light hearted moments, and Anthony Wong as Chou's dad, a veteran race ace who finds solace in the bottle and having a penchant for dozing off.
Perhaps the only flaw about the movie was the sappy romance between Jay and his Japanese co-star. Not that she isn't gorgeous (which is a saving grace), but their scenes together doesn't further the plot much, and slows down the pace somewhat of this movie about the need for speed.
This is an enjoyable flick, one in which I waited for the theme song / tune to be featured (only at the end credits!). But no, I don't think I will be converted to a Jay Chou fan boy anytime soon.
I suspect that in the upcoming weeks, we probably might see parallel imports / makes of the Trueno on our shores to satisfy the racer boy wannabes (heard Singapore only has 2?), although it probably can't run as fast as in the movies (movie magic lah). And yeah, the driving with one hand on the wheel and the other on the face, with the contemplating look. -
thought it's out of production? toyota specially made 3 for this movie.
I think we should just up grade our corolla then make a name for yourself racing, SL500s, M3s and Audi Quattros hehee -
In many Hong Kong movies, Chinese male actors rarely develop good chemistry with their Japanese female actresses. Or perhaps Chou didn't want his girlfriend(s) in Taiwan to get jealous...
We'll let the fans decide if the film-makers made a good casting call for Natsuki.
An Suzuki
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seeing on monday.
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just now watched liao....
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watch it just now. Found the movie from setting to the cast was make as close as the original comic. But rather disappointing was the fact that the movie is not as exciting as the amine. The music might be one of the flaw, as the beat does not match the flow of the moive which should be fast and exciting. Another factor might be the explanation how the drivers do the drifting was not done enuff. those who haven watch the amine or does not know anything about cars might not appreciate how the cars are drifted in the movie.
One note to make...Jay really fit in the bill as takumi. Maybe that is the way he behaves in real life, but it really suit the character as a man of few words and expression very well. People might not like him, but I find him quite cool in this movie. Quite yandao. And hey, he wore a lipstick in the movie!!!
To the fans who haven watch the movie....u might be a little disppointed like me although the movie is trying hard to stay as close as possible, but as a fan of inital D, i think u will still watch it no matter how bad, rite???
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watched yday
my fav character is Bunta
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Just watched it.
Jay isnt really good at acting.
Chapman To is real damn funny!!!! -
i have nv watched the anime b4 .. but i felt tat the movie is rather good .. compared to lots of crappy ones i hav watched .. tats hw i feel .. i watch at least 1 movie per week .. n i start to get immunity at jokes n stuffs .. but this initial d sorta lit up .. well i would say it deserves the 4/5 rating in most reviews
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kns!!!Originally posted by Gordonator:
Edison Chen as Takahashi Ryosuke.
the T Ryosuke in anime looks more chao lao, this Edison look more like xiaodidi.
What happen to the other Ryosuke (younger brother)? -
Watched the movie on Sunday.... had to psycho myself damn hard that Edison is Takahashi Ryosuke .... lol.. but still.... i feel that he fits the role of Keisuke better.... Anthony Wong & Chapman To fitted very well into their anime Character (Bunta & Itsuki) I can say......
I'm not a Jay fan... but i feel that this Movie's overall great~ 4/5 stars!...though the story did have some similiarities with the ID anime (3rd Stage the Movie & 4th Stage)...
Anyway.... computer graphics (in the anime) can do wonders... but there are limits to how much a real car can drift infront of the camera... nothing to compare about then...Hmm..the drifting in the movie is satisfiable.... -
one word:
CRAP!
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yalor... don't have KeisukeOriginally posted by silv3rgal:Watched the movie on Sunday.... had to psycho myself damn hard that Edison is Ryosuke Takahashi.... lol.. but still.... i feel that he fits the role of Keisuke better....
Most of us read the comic will know that keisuke is the 1st opponent, because Takumi defended him, it urghs Nite Kids to challenge Takumi since Red Sun are faster racers.
In the movie, the 1st opponent is that leader of nite kid, so it will be quite weird that he became 1st opponent.
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i think the longkang move can be better................
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i think in anime that longgao move was done on the right bend, here it was done on the left.Originally posted by FireIce:i think the longkang move can be better................ -
saw the movie today. never knew stephen chow is also in the movie.
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Huh Stephen Chow in the movie?
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yes. u can "hear" his voice in the movie.Originally posted by silv3rgal:Huh Stephen Chow in the movie? -
i like the show....
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you're finally back. have been a while.Originally posted by Estee:i like the show.... -
u're doing a great job. thanks alot.Originally posted by Gordonator:you're finally back. have been a while. -
thanks. do drop by more often.Originally posted by Estee:u're doing a great job. thanks alot. -
I WANT TO BUY GTR!
I WANT TO BUY GTR! -
shen!! ye shi ren~~
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chapman to's girlfriend in the movie is quite a beauty isn't she? even prettier than natsuki.