Peppersqueak
Sitting on a star looking for the moon
This review may contain spoilers
1988 a trip to nostalgia
I remember having watched some of this a few years ago I think, so I already knew who ends up with who etc, but surprisingly I didn't like it as much as the first time around i think (I didn't complete it ).
Lets start with positives, cause that's key with positive reinforcement lol.
This is an overall solid drama. The acting is good, the characters are relatively realistic, and what's personally my favorite point is the styling and editing. The look is almost sepia ish reminiscent of those old movies, and there's no skin smoothing and "perfect" make up. They all look like everyday ppl in the set time, and I think that's what partly adds to the nostalgia. I also liked the neighborhood setting, since it really allowed the crossover in family relationship and the overall familiar feeling.
I think my main critic starts with ep 17, where the time skips happen. Why would they skip college? Since it started in highschool college would have been an essential part of the development of the ssangmun gang. Why did Deok sun become a stewardess?, How come the guys didn't make a move on her all these years, why didn't she do anything more proactive? Who did she really like? So many unanswered questions and a clear gap in character writing when it comes to our fml.
Also Dongryong totally got forgotten somehow in the end? What is his ending?
Also the flash future couple is not played by the main actors like for example in reply 1997, wich makes it feel unconnected and the characters itselfs don't add up.
Soooo would I rewatch it?
Probably not, but I thoroughly enjoyed the first half and I really liked the organic chemistry of the characters. I think that also was a main strong point of this drama
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This review may contain spoilers
Not worth my time, not even for a simple romcom
!So as a heads up I can not stay relatively neutral and collected in this review!The build up was bad, the writing was bad and the only thing I can truly say I liked was the pleasant music.
I could not stand it.
In the beginning I was prepared for a sweet and simple lovestory but even my low expectations were betrayed.
They decided to go all out on unnecessary clichees, tropes and hateful characters.Hateful? Yes I didn't like any of the characters.
Here is some of the heavy dislikes that almost made my eyes be stuck on the back of my head:
They behave like immature teens or adults in their very early 20 at max. Not some 30 something established ppl with a more organised outlook on life.
Im 19 and I could just not... forget it.
The acting was BAD
The characters all carried their heavy sets of tropes and stereotypes that made me CRINGE hard.
0 chemistry
IDOL DANCE in the room for cuteness (yes it irks me in this drama)
ML Apparently innocent and sensible but of course he had to leave the stage for another guy just to get together with the fml in the end. UGH. Does not make good decisions in leaving her with the ass. No will strength.
The FML What were they trying to do????#Maybe make her youthful and quirky NO?
Acts way too naive, unrealistic mindset, no personal groth after break up, strong for quirks weak for stereotypes omg I hate that.
Gotta need saving, doesn't get her feelings
2ML Simply a douche no way talking around it. Cheater without reason, arrogant, flat.
Special mention to the girl who came back because of course she had to have A LIFE THREATENING TUMOR and didn't listen to the ML and using her sickness to keep him.
This is a insolence to me as the viewer.
Like ok shallow entertainment but this is a wet towel thrown into the corner as drama. It only exists out of tropes, stereotypes, clichees and predictable plotlines
I do not recommend this to anyone basically. Especially not to people who want a rellatively well written story and no abundance in the clichee department.
For me this was a case of lazy writing AND poor execution.
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Too bland for a History
Y'know when you kind of put a surten drama to the side for whatever reason for so long you start to have a surten picture of it? Or a expectation how it sets the mood?
I didn't watch anything about this before I started. Not the trailer no fmv no nothing. Kind if unusual for me, I know but I started out at a clean slate.
Because it's rated R I was like: oooohhhh it's probably gonna be real heavy melo and deep.
Not really? I skipped the ending like all my MDL friends suggested but maybe I should have really watched it? I was kind of glad it was over ngl tho.
Im gonna say something controversial:
YOU CANNOT SUPPLEMENT A BLAND STORYLINE WITH ALOT OF SPICY.
Nah ma dudes nah.
I liked like really liked 3 of the previous histories and I even rated them really high atleast in my case.
Is it because I just binged it?
Sometimes I didn't even read the dialogues and skipped scenes wich... Not good not good when I do that.
The story just slid out of my hands (or brain) and sometimes I had moments were I was like: Wait what happened before that?
Some things didn't make sense to me. Especially how the 2 couples got together. It was really sudden how like the 1ML started to suddenly liked the other guy even though he disliked him. Suddenly from guilt to love?
I was like wah? When he discussed his feels with bo. Like since when?
For bo and the soy bean guy it was atleast for me pretty evident that soya dude didn't like Bo crossing the line and man I would be too he had such a attitude.
And then suddenly bam now they are a couple?
O...okay?
I don't know if it's the setting (I don't really like the school settings most of the time) or just the lack of seasoning...
I don't have a problem with character driven stories. But like there's gotta be some highlights, some depth I can grab onto for my mind to keep interest. That's what I mean with seasoning/flavor. If you strip the plot down only to the bare writing then it's super average. Almost slice of life. And slice of life is a hard genre to master because you have to make the average daily life interesting and entertaining.
Also the development wasn't really relevant to me. It had time skips in some weird places like suddenly it's Christmas and again I was like... O okay?
The chemistry is popping. Like I said spicy as hecc. I do feel like the spice was almost overdone though, like it had to supplement the story like I already mentioned.
For acting.. yeah? It was fine? It didn't blow my mind but neither did the story OR the character building. No layers, no Interesting layering.They felt almost flat and I feel like they made the smart guy too pitiful? My empathy wasn't really there tbh. I didn't really feel with him.
All in all for a history this was dissapointing ...
YES
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I think it's useful to know that this movie is actually based on a manga that ended in 1987 when yankee culture and bike gangs were in their prime so that's actually were the concept comes from, and it does seem a little, if not ALOT outdated.
Actually the ages of the main characters were not very fitting? Atleast the FML did not behave like a middle schooler at all. Essentially it's about 2 people in a dark place in their life meeting each other and kind of finding that soulmate connection and the comfort of a perso who understands and loves you.
For me it seemed more like a friendship than a romantic entanglement. The problems the FML has with her mom I think are not portrayed in the most easy to understand way, atleast that's what I think. Actually the conflict that they both had and the lack of love and attention her mom gave her was settled way too quickly and not that realistically..
Some scenes didn't really make sense?
Like there was not alot of logic or thinking where I think the writing was truly lacking.
It is filmed very gorgeously mostly ant sunset and night wich makes the film very atmospheric and artistic in a cinematographic sense.
I would say it's not as heavy as I initially expected it to be but it's more on the serious side.
All in all a average watch for me :)
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I would define this movie as "chaotic energy" literally. Like it was utter chaos ridiculous and over the top. I mean I was down for that but I wish they kept it that way. The second half was kind of bland compared to the first halfs utter chaos. They should have just went with pure comedy instead of trying to weave in some "emotional" moments as the leads have literally no chemistry. Also they should have not switched bodies back, I found them to be hilarious before.
(Just my own pettiness but: the actors are a bit too old. They did a good job tho. The guy does not look like a convincing ufc fighter at all lol)
So like give it a try?
Like it's bad... But like it's so bad it's almost good? Lol feel free to skip the second half tho. I totally fast forwarded the last bit.
Also there's so much of this that is going in my meme collection I cannot XD
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This took me way too ling for a 10 ep drama and I browsed through the last 3 episodes.
I lost interest big time around the halfway point. For me it kind of lost its original sparkle? And charisma....
The pros:
-If you love unique character design this is for you. My personal faves were kuranosuke and the driver hanamori.
-Fashion. Big time. I totally got some style inspiration from this and I really have to applaud the stylist for the stunning outfits and especially kuranosukes cross dressing!
-Overall flair. I admit I feel like it was list in the latter half nonetheless, tgis drama has a very unique concept and overall plot.
- maybe if you read the manga and/or watched the anime this might be on your nostalgia list.
The cons:
-this might be harder to enjoy for ppl who never or rarely watch animes since it is a live action and these tend to be a bit more on the high energy overacted side.
- dissapointing latter half. Around episode 6 this drama kind of lost my interest. It started to get more crammed and lost alot of the comedic element and eccentric character.
-very lacking romance. If you came here for the romance tag. Sigh, sry to dissapoint you but there's not really alot of romance involved. Yes it is part of thr plot but I actually think it's very anticlimactic and there's practically no chemistry.
(Seto koji is stunning in this btw)
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There was plenty of girlcrush material and the dopest thing is that it's based on a true story. It's showing the new generation of female powerhouses.
The story was not the most memorable, more so the characters and their relationships. Especially the story of the north korean defector really broke my heart. Even more the match between north and south. The ending was more open, wich seemed rather fitting given the situation of the characters.
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I was so hesitant at first because I really dislike the medical genre but after encouragement I gave myself a push and I don't regret it at all.
The osts are EPIC I highly encourage anyone to listen to the playlist.
The story is great in the sense that it focuses on the hidden heroes of the health care system instead of typical doctors nurses.
We see physical therapists, radiologists and even trainees!
The story is more slice of life,but we see great insights into the characters jobs, personal life and relationships so that it never got boring and at times was very entertaining.
It also showed alot of heart fittingly accompanied by very well selected and inspiring poems.
I really liked the characters and even Dr. Park grew on me as time went on.
They all got their fair share of backstory and depth wich I love especially for the supports.
Bo Young was not the typical damsel in distress but more a hard-working persevering young woman.
Dr. Ye who in the beginning seemed like the typical aloof ML turned out to be a very stiff, honest and awkward bean who was so amusing to watch in love.
Minho who in the beginning seems like a rich brat without manners actually grows as the story progresses and we learn more about him. (Although he had a little relapse that was understandable). He grew alot as a person and made valuable experiences and I could see what a great person he actually was.
Nam Woo was great. He was a mess, a relatable friend and also a courageous guy who has been through alot but still works hard.
I hope you find a new crocodile tee Nam Woo.
Mrs. Kim is sass personified and a super cool unni I would love as a senior at work. She's very strong and also such a good friend and co-worker.
Dr. Park in the beginning seemed like a run of the mill giant mean senior but it turned out that he had a heavy load to carry. He also grew over the episodes I think and actually had a very funny and cheeky personality.
Dr. Yang actually wss for me the person with the least presence but he actually really loves his co-workers and also turned out to be a chief woth heart who fit right in.
Dae bang and han joo were the fun radiology duo that actually fit together more than they would like to admit.
Dae bang even though annoyingly indecisive has alot of heart and han joo who was a little immature and snobbish was a perfect fit with him and he also learned alot
All in all I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I really recommend this drama ^^
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The positives:
I actually started the series love 020 before watching the movie several times but never ended up completing it.
This movie is very different. The characters actually have personalities and are very different to the drama but also the story takes a very different approach.
The visuals are far superior compared to the drama and this has some awesome RPG action instances I actually really enjoyed.
The cinematography is much more high end budget and animation wise.
Also the movie didn't feel draggy or squeezed together, the length was very fitting.
The negatives:
I was not very interested in the story. It didn't feel fresh or detailed.
For me it was more like a cookie cutter fantasy movie for pre teens.
No real diving deeper into the characters, their past or the FMLs goals.
The chemistry was .. meh, nothing enchanting or fascinating.
I feel this movie heavily relied on the visuals instead of the story.
Plot wise dissapointing and the supports like in many other movies did not get enough time to shine. The acting was not bad but very on line with the industry average for me.
My overall rating is a 6
Worth watching for awesome animation and visuals and some classic swooning.
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The cinematography and visual storytelling.
This movie has great daydream and mind reading instances where you get drawn into the world of the fml.
Where the fantasy goes crazy and where imagination takes over and sometimes crosses into the real world.
In the first half of the movie it was a true aesthetic feast and made me want to screenshot everything.
In the later half it did die down wich made the later part much more boring.
The idea of looking into someones daydreams is amazing and a truly unique concept.
Unfortunately this is one of many movies wich I would like to diagnose with: "live action syndrome".
Wich basically means: cut up story, rushed plot and inaccuracies wich are often times not avoidable.
For reference I read the first chapter of the manga wich this was based on. The manga officially ended in 2017 were as the movie already came out 2016. So I came to the logical conclusion that part of the second half of the movie was written out of thin air since the manga didn't finish at that time. (Wich also explained why it got boring)
The acting wasn't spectacular at all. The fml was a typical timid shy person.
I think the supports didn't get enough airing time, wich is unfortunate since one of the supporting actors I really enjoy watching.
My conclusion:
If for not the points above I think this is still worth the watch solely for the imaginary and visual rich instances.
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I usually write my opinion down right after finishing something so that the impression is still clear and fresh.
For this I had to take a different approach.
I even took a break in the last half of the film and I had to let it sink in awhile.
Happy old year starts on a very cool and distanced note but as the movie progresses weighs down your soul more and more.
The colors are muted and cool almost straying into the black and white. The ambiance quiet and atmosphere heavy.
No unnecessary background noises, sometimes accompanied by a classical piece.
The approach is "minimal" much like the main persons wish to convert her house into a minimalistic office and living space.
Her approach: simple. Throw it out. No matter what it is. Don't get attached. Don't think about it
That changes abruptly with almost throwing a friend's present away.
"Some things won't go away just because you pretend to forget about it. It has to come from both sides for it to end"
So she brings back all the trash.
With each item she returns you can see her mood getting lighter almost a change to her stoicness
Until. There is a person she doesn't want to see.
( Im trying my best not to spoiler here but Im not too sure)
Relationships are difficult. Even more when you don't end them and just dissapear.
Feelings remain, things remain.
Is the issue solved with apologizing and being friends again?
The film doesn't take the predicted turn but instead dives even deeper.
People change as you dissapear. Even without you things happen.
"Why didn't you tell me?
Because I couldn't."
You never know ehat happens in a persons life after you leave. You never know what they were going through or what stage of their life they are in.
The question brought up: "aren't you doing it for yourself?"
Is she doing it for herself?
Apologizing returning all the stuff.
Is she just giving ger emotional baggage to other people thinking she did something good and feeling happy again?
Maybe some things returned make people happy and maybe some things shouldn't be returned at all, opening an old wound or bringing back the memories of broken relationships.
The zoom ins on the trashbags I think don't show the thrash but the things and feelings in them.
Out of mind out of sight. Or is it?
We take something with us from every person in our lifes. Be it memories or inspiration be it pain or fondness.
They change our lives in one way or another. It's impossible to pack it all up and throw it out.
Her mom holding on to her dads piano.
Even though he left.
Her throwing it away.
Did she break the circle or did she overstep the boundaries?
"We all do what's the best for us"
I think it's a very challenging and thought provoking movie. It's not made in a classic film pattern. No happy ending.
It makes you think about yourself and the people around you. It's more about the feelings and memories attached to things than it is to clean.
Throw it away or keep it?
Forget it or remember it?
Challenge yourself or give up?
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It shows the raw and unedited life of the people living in the mountains and it brings father and son closer with each mail they deliver.
This movie has also one of the most breathtaking sets that you could Imagine with masterful cinematography that melts all shades of green into a bigger picture.
Postmen in the mountains portrays human relationships and emotions in a almost poetic way. Relaxing, endearing and full of heart.
You get a deeper glimpse of the rural life in china. How it really is and the people of so many different cultures and stages in their life.
The son and the old mailman are really well acted and portrayed a very beautiful father son relationship almost like a walk through life while wandering through the mountains.
It's been awhile since I've seen such a gorgeous movie and I encourage you to watch it! It left a big impression on me and is almost healing in a way.
The sun always shined when the son smiled.
And buddy is the best buddy ever :)
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Im writing this review way past midnight and I have so much to say.
I will begin not necessary traditionally with the ending.
Let's just say the last episode was chaos. Upsetting, happy, sad, unsure, desperate.
I have to right here give a big compliment to the actor of Yu hai who did an amazing job with this complicated and layered role.
I think looking back the ending makes light of all that happened before.
It seems not quite fitting for a school drama or not "standard" to have such a very mature and quite dark moment in the last episode.
It's almost a whole genre turn.
But now that I think of it you could almost watch the ending first.
Because after all the episodes I think the end makes more sense.
The very emotional acting the very dark streak you don't expect in a typical highschool MLs life and the very raw way of delivering the struggle of not achieving your dreams and losing your former confidence and happiness.
After watching the end you will appreciate the earlier events more and more and the youthful days will shine more brightly.
Geng geng makes light of this in the very first episode without me even understanding it until the very end.
"When I recalled my highschool life after many years, I've always remembered that night when we were holding hands and running under the moonlight.
The "him" back then was the most "perfect him."
But the me after many, many years is the best me.
Between the best of us, there was a whole youthful years.
No matter how we ran we couldn't see a result
(We couldn't keep up no matter how hard we tried.)
I myself interpreted it as the happy never seemingly ending days of highschool seemingly chasing an end that does not come closer between the happiest of our friends.
Yu hai being someone Geng geng was close friends with and even admired him shining so brightly back then but her not seemingly not good (smart) enough but only catching up after a long time and missing him.
As you may or may not have guessed by now this is going to be long because there is much to be said.
Let's dive into characters.
First the character which occupied my mind the most. Yu huai:
Yu huai differs from the usual smart Highschool protagonist in the sense that he "isn't" perfect.
He does not have the aloof and distanced air about him. His smartness does have boundaries and he is actually quite social and also has a temper.
I was actually very impressed because they all seemed more like typical teenager's then "characters".
Yu huai is ambitious and studious but also very playful and naughty or "playful".
He likes physics and you can see how much pride and effort he takes in that subject. But he also helps Geng geng out plays basketball, and throws a fit occasionally.
As the series progresses you do see his difficult relationship with his mother (no further spoilers) and his bad relationship with pressure.
He does very much see his limits but is so very focused on his goal that sometimes things can slip out of place.
Geng geng is the very extroverted bubbly girl next door that isn't the smartest but successfully slips past all the stereotypes that come with ditsy stupid fmls.
She doesn't have a hard time making friends and is in a sense what glues the whole oack together. She is the one friend that definitely is not the loudest but you would immediately notice if she's missing.
She has an avid love for photography and plays the photographer on multiple occasions making the littlest moments a picture to remember.
Liu xinghue is the artsy kid. Naughty in the beginning very don't care attitude.
He gets preferential treatment because of his rich parent but he is in no way snobbish.
He us talented in drawing and has a almost rebellious love for freedom and a hate for the school system. He does poetry flirts uncontrollably and almost cheesily but non in the less creatively with Geng geng that you almost have to afmire his devoted demeanor.
For a second lead I do have to say he had not enough screentime. I read alot about people having secondlead syndrome but surprisingly I didn't care about him half as much as Yu huai. His acting wasn't bad at all but also he definitely lost in portraying the character so vividly compared to the Ml.
He did make kind of annoyed towards the end. Running after Geng geng meanwhile him getting hurt or taking the hits.
Some may find that very admirable but I don't.
Know when to let go and free yourself. Value yourself and the other person and start anew.
Well that is not as easy as it sounds and definitely wouldn't make the poor 2ndml trope complete wouldn't it? *Wink wink.
So for the support Im not.going to pick every single person but just the 4 closest friends.
Zhou mo. Yu huais close friend since middle school and also a very smart but definitely ladylover student. He is also quite naughty but definitely a good friend with a big heart. He did make me appreciate him more as the series went on.
Liu qi heng. Also called fatty by most of the class. *Rolls eyes yeah they make fun of his weight but more in a loving way than a mean one.
He's also the class representative of class 5 and reminds me of a devoted dachshund for some reason? Maybe it's his smile.
He does fade out more and more towards the end of the series.
He's a "good" class leader but definitely doesn't always follow rules and always tries to protect Beta even though he gets rudely rejected all of the series.
Jian Dan the girly girl the one always having the same crush quite mild tempered and sensitive.
Honestly more I can't really say about her besides the fact that she really got hung up on her love.
Beta. Honestly I do have to say the actress did a great job but also annoyed the heck out of me XD.
I think that's who beta is almost. Good natured but way to loud and high energy plus very quick tempered and overly emotional.
She was the mood maker and breaker. The clown and the drama queen.
Han xu: So why ? How did it come to be that one of the more foreground supports became almost invisible?
I swear I can count the amount of lines he had on one hand.
He was almost completely silent most of the series and it was IMPOSSIBLE to get a deeper look into his character.
There is a difference between quiet and reserved and straight up easter island statue.
You only get one episode with a more deeper look into his character and life and that's it.
So from what I could see: " Quiet and reserved top student very socially distant? But almost always there for group activities. Ignores Jian Dan most of the time wich makes ger seem like some weird sidekick?
So that's it for characters. I hope that's a deeper inlook if you even read till here.
Special mention for Zhang Ping the class teacher and the only drama teacher I know who chugs his olive water daily. *Cheers!
What I think this drama gives you is not necessary the greatest romance of the century but a deeper look into a seemingly normal highschool life wich looking back makes every little moment more meaningful and filled with fond memories.
Even Geng geng or Fml doesn't know many of them all these years later and also people change and live through things. But this doesn't mean the memories lose in value it makes them almost even more precious. Having this little box of happiness from your youth wich is a little treasure on it's own.
Of course this drama isn't perfect and it wouldn't be me if I wasn't critical. The drama begins very well and creatively. Around the middle I would say things start to get a little muddled. We do get some plot holes/ unanswered questions. 2 minor characters just "appear" without really immerging before?
It does get unclearer and harder to understand towards the end and aome things do feel very unfinished especially with the friends.
The ending is of course for many not satisfactory wich you probaly read already.
I still cannot make my mind up about it.
I do prefer a more happy ever after 90s soap opera ending lol.
But it definitely gibes you to think about and it isn't necessarily bad or anything. Just a more mature darker tone gets set wich does last a bit after finishing the drama and makes you ponder, even a little anxious? In my case at least.
I hope I didn't sound like I was writing a thesis or anything and at least somebody stayed until the end.
Thanks for reading this very lengthy review!
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Our main lead in this drama is a slightly delusional over dramatic and very imaginative young screenwriter from Tokyo who ends up in this corner of the world by accident. And joins the two handymen Matui and Umemoto, Wich insists that he is his long lost son.
The drama for me can be described as "snowy chaos".
In this town were nothing happens imaginations run wild and drinking is the way to end the day. The 3 handymen create and solve lots of chaos and curious cases such as "Yuki onna", or "the match girl".
The humor is very Japanese. Wacky and over the top. Sometimes a hit and sometimes a miss for me.
The scenery is absolutely breathtaking taking place far from the big city seemingly in almost untouched nature. This is also kind of how the drama felt to me. Like somewhere in nowhere. Where there is no "monotone" daily schedule with people more happy and generally open.
What made me give a higher score than I originally intended were two things. The character growth our main lead makes, (Wich becomes apparent in the later episodes) and how you can see how 3 people with very strong characters seem to grow together and become unlikely friends. The last episode for me was surprising and revealing.
Oh and also,..... They broke a world record... So that was pretty cool
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the frustrated me searched for a special or movie and...
"This is not what I expected" came across.
I saw some screenshots on the feeds and since I love good cinematography I decided to watch it.
Even if the trailer was meh.
You know what?
This was a good decision. The film is so weird and refreshing. And the acting was PHENOMENAL.
Im really big on good acting and plot etc.
But I think without the awesome portrayal of the characters this wouldn't have worked.
The story would have been too much, "drowning" the characters.
The filming was on another level. The color the composition and the absolutely stunning lightning!
The food was presented beautifully and looked straight out of a magazine.
The characters were wacky and eccentric af and that's so my jam.
I never saw the fml before and I have to say I was IMPRESSED wich you don't hear often from me.
Especially her emotional scene felt so candid.
So why did I give this a 7?
First off I couldn't grasp all the interaction and some shots/ things happened/ cut to fast. I think this is the kind of movie you have to watch more than once or even twice to grasp it fully.
All the colors and shots were like a explosion of cinematic style so you were just like wooooooahhhhh.
To really see and appreciate every shot and picture I think you just have to watch it again, because it's so much in one movie.
So in the end:
I liked it. It was new it was fresh it was like a rainbow brain fart in movie form. And that's great.
The main actors were really good in delivering their roles but the supports were totally overshadowed.
This was creatively shot and put in action.
Also the food makes you jealous that you can't afford it.
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