Question: How did this movie get 7.6 stars, 4 winners and 3 nominations when most parts of the movie were going to far in detail and when the movie was going slow too? And what the hell is with this kids dreams, it's weird? Is that the reason?
shareWell you see, some people were blessed with different tastes and a different way of noticing important characteristics of a film that are included to make a movie worth while. Just because you didn't like this movie as much as most people does not mean that the movie deserves a lesser rating.
You see how that works? People are different. Now run along now :pats gregmanzo-1 on head:
It has been about six months since I saw this film, however the emotional impact and feeling it gave me whilst watching it is something I can still feel very strongly today. The film is in few ways similar but in many ways the antithesis of Takeshi Kitano's previous triad outings such as Violent cop and sonatine. I think this is what gives it more of an emotional impact to myself and I'm sure to many other unexpected viewers who watched this film as kitano fans not knowing that the film would pull the remaining emotional chords previous kitano films left out. Anyone aged over 16 can find themselves drawn into this film through its focus on childhood innocence and, something which I was particularly drawn into, the clear and simplistic view we have on life as children which is best represented in the child's preperation for his jouney to find his mother, he packs a rucksack and just goes without consideration or perhaps conscience of the dangers that could occur. The way every adult he meets on his journey, however different from each other, finds it to be their duty to entertain him and keep him happy when he looks down reminds me of how wonderfull life is as a child and how special we were made to feel. If you dont take any feelings away from this film I can guarantee it will present you with a provocative opportunity for childhood reminiscence. Yes the film has some very funny scenes theres no denying that, however like 'lost in translation' I don't believe the power of the film lies in its humour, but more in the methods the characters and the director use to mask the darker issues within the film with humour such as being disowned by ones parent, paedophilia, gambling e.t.c The film shows how easily a childs mind can shun away such dark issues through doing simple kids stuff and just playing around something which myself and I am sure other adults find fascinating after experiencing many of life's complexities. For those who haven't seen the film if this doesn't intrigue you then you must watch it for the isolated funny scenes such as the gambling scene, the blind hitch hiker bit and anything which has the two bikers in it. The final scene is one of the best I've ever had the privilege in viewing there really isn't anytime to calm yourself down for the emotions you feel between each sentence. Its a film both women and men like myself can enjoy and I usually watch 1970's kung fu movies with dubbed voices in new zealand accents .... quite a contrast.
shareYou may make some good points, but no one will ever know because your comment is impossible to read.
Badges? We don't need no stinking badges!
Hi I was just going through old posts and saw your reply, lol i know my comment was quite long and i was probably writing from emotinal excitement thats why it seems quite long-winded, anyway, do you agree/disagree with anything i said about the film.
shareFilm1982, I think the review you wrote above is fantastic. I agree with every point. This is my all-time favourite film about the persistence of innocence in a not-so-innocent world. With that theme in mind, upon 2nd, 3rd, 4th viewings, a lot of scenes become real emotional tear-jerkers. Like "Mister fell down the stairs" where the two worlds (innocence & brutality) collide.
Like many others, when I 1st saw this movie, I thought it was cute, but I was mostly unimpressed. As it sank in my memory over the next few months & as certain scenes kept replaying in my mind, I realized that this is a phenomenal film which deserves every award it got.
I know a lot of old school Kitano fans were disappointed, expecting Violent Cop or Hana-Bi, and the shock is understandable. But I hope they pause to give it some thought, come back to it & realize the beauty in it.
In any case, no one can deny this has some of the funniest moments in the history of film! ("Hey Baldy, you weren't supposed to take it *all* off. Jackass!")
Well you see, some people were blessed with different tastes and a different way of noticing important characteristics of a film that are included to make a movie worth while. Just because you didn't like this movie as much as most people does not mean that the movie deserves a lesser rating.
You see how that works? People are different. Now run along now :pats gregmanzo-1 on head:
It is slow going because thats the style of Kitanos films. This movie deserves to be in the top 250. The story and humour are amazing. Kitano is god
shareI really liked this movie. It's not for everyone because the pace might be too slow for people accustomed to fast paced action flicks.
This movie reminds me a couple of movies that deals with the relationship of an adult and a lil' boy who are not relatives: Chaplin's "The Kid" (Kikujiro's character has some "Chaplinesque" moments) and "Central Station".
But "Kikujiro" is not a comedy like "The Kid" neither a sad drama like "Central Station". It dwells somewhere in between. A kind of fairy tale located in a real world. Besides this movie is full of humanism. Great movie.
It's just style and cultural difference, you gotta watch more Asian movies to get used to it. Well besides it being funny, I thought the story was really meaningful too. As the journey went on we could see that Kikujiro started to care more for the boy and his situation, he then visited his own past and got over it like an adult (his mother), but by creating uplifting memories with the boy, spreading that optimism to him. The boy saying good byes to his friends at the end of the film, to me that was symbol of growing up.
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My Top Animated: http://www.imdb.com/list/zyDiSPMGtuM/