OttoTenet

Despite a solid performance from Rina Takeda and a handful of well-executed action set pieces, High Kick Girl ultimately falls short of its potential. The film leans too heavily on slow motion and instant replay, padding out repetitive fight sequences that lose their impact by the third act.

At just 81 minutes, it still manages to feel bloated, filled with unnecessary filler while more compelling plot threads go underdeveloped. Character work is minimal, making it difficult to stay engaged as the story drags on, leading to wandering attention by the final stretch.

The rushed ending does little to resolve this, leaving the impression that little has truly changed. What begins as an intriguing premise ends up feeling like a missed opportunity.

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