This movie is very reminiscent of Crows Zero, except the story is set in 1980s Japan and centers around a somewhat idiotic would-be high school gang.
Now, it is always a pleasure for me to watch Matsuda Shota - he is such a versatile actor with amazing acting skills AND he is just so damn handsome. If you are here for Matsuda Shota I don't believe you will be disappointed. Despite this being one of his earlier works, his acting skills definitively stand out. I enjoyed watching him play a comical would-be delinquent. It is sooo funny and kinda adorable to see his character try so hard to look bad-ass. The other gang members and their individual quirks just make this comical bunch of friends so much better - they're all idiots, but somehow they're also really adorable!
That being said, the plot is admittedly severely lacking and the editing and the soundtrack sometimes seem out of place. The comical moments and the sentimental subplot also doesn't always blend well. And while Matsuda Shota does his character justice, the same cannot be said for ALL characters. A few characters were, sadly enough, prone to overacting, but luckily Matsuda Shota carries the story well as the main lead.
I still thoroughly enjoyed this movie though! I always find it fascinating to watch Matsuda Shota act and the movie gets extra points for the comical, almost parodic, portrayal of the classic delinquent high school story. The 80s twist on the story was also really fresh - the hair, the clothing! Oh God! People really did dress like that in 80s Japan didn't they? Haha I love it :P The greasy hair reminds me of the movie Cry Baby and 50s America.
Overall this movie was a solid 7 for me, but it would have received more if the story or the supporting cast had been a bit stronger.

Read More