Fast paced but it didn't sacrificed the development of the characters, everything just felt natural. Very entertaining and I love how there's no unecessary drama and over the top romance, everthing is just subtle. Ueno Juri owned this movie, by far the most fun character I saw her portrayed. I'm a big fan of her so it's nice to see one of her first movies, I'd say what a debut.
There's two types of people in the world the one who swings and the one who don't, but even if you don't like swing music you would appreciate this movie if you like "friendship themed film" and Japanese comedy.
This movie has brought something new to the save-the-humanity-doomsday genre, this time instead of finding a new planet they try to save the earth. They build thousands of giant thrusters around the world, propel the earth out of its orbit and set it to new star system lol, project was called "The Wandering Earth" which will last 100 generation. There's no heroic individual here, this is about everyone working together to save humanity. I guess it has something to do with chinese ideology, the difference in their approach, which is why they come up with this movie. You can tell this is big budget film the special effect is even comparable to hollywood.
Although with its fresh idea the movie felt it tried so hard to be a melodrama, it didn't even made me teary eyed because it was forced. The movie is also predictable if you're used to sci fi films. This movie has so much hype that made me believe it would be interstellar level but no it's not even close.
Performance of the actors are really good especially the main actress, Shinobu Terajima, she's really magnificent in this role of middle aged woman desperate for love. The film seems it's a culture clash comedy at first until it removed its mask and reveal its darker but human side. It is about people who are carrying their own burdens, people looking for a place(someone) to feel comfort, or just for a simple HUG.
The song at the end is very fitting to the theme of the movie like after you see what the characters went through the song would just cut deep. Very beautiful song, I love it when I discover great songs by just watching a movie.
So Sanada went from this to avengers end game? I hope he go back doing asian movies he's wasting his time in hollywood with that terrible typecasting they are doing to him.
Great chemistry between Asano and Kamiki, and finally I see Kamiki portrays a strong type of character, though sometimes he got picked or blackmailed by Asano's goofy character hahaha. The characters and the whole setting is cliche yet some cases and the themes tackled are fresh and also some clever twist. Supporting cast are great as well especially Yamamoto Mizuki, first time I can honestly say I wasn't annoyed by her character but maybe it's because she didn't talk in the movie lol, she played a mute character. One of the highlights of this drama are the guest roles, those are A class actors such as Sugasaki Hana, Fumi Nikaido and Odagiri Joe. The way the drama ended suggest there will be season 2 but I hope they just do a movie instead, the battle between Asano vs. Odagiri Joe would be an instant watch for me.
She aged faster than her contemporaries. I think hafu person aged faster than pure japanese, nagasawa masami, satomi ishihara, fukuda kyoko, ueto aya, aoi miyazaki look younger than her.
Tao shows again why she's considered as one of the best of her generation, dark characters suits her better and not those cheesy charactes she always portrayed in live actions. Same can be said to Yoshine Kyoko, she's not far from Tao in terms of acting in this movie, infact I think they are equals. And if that's not enough you have tadanobou asano as your supporting character playing that manipulative character, not just one of the best but the most iconic actor in Japan. I am thinking of giving this one an 8 but the ending song "Black Bird" by aimer just added .5 to the total score. Aimer is LIFE.
Shunji Iwai back at his obsession over letters again. Unlike his later films this film is closer to his old movie "love letter"...surprise lol even the theme and music is kinda similar to that movie. This is well written, wonderfully acted just like all of his movies, but this time it is less cinematic, less slow-mo etc. That last scene might make you shed tears depends on how much do you relate to the message.
There are two types of jdramas that showcase exaggerated acting, First jun ikeido dramas (Hanazawa naoki, Downtown Rocket, Roosevelt game etc), they do this to make such scenes dramatic, it's a comeback-revenge type of drama after all. Second are the Manga types which I would not recommend if you are new to jdramas as this one not only showcase exaggerated acting but exaggerated plot, setting, development, cliche message...name it lol. But these are just purely for entertainment and should not take the plot nor the acting seriously (except for bits of serious moments). Celeb to Binbo Taro falls to the second category. I actually like this drama unlike most people, I assume they expected normal type of romance story and they didn't expect the amount of exaggeration. So when comparing to other dramas in the same genre this is actually very entertaining as the I find the acting of the lead strong and that's the most important. These types aims for zero boring moments which I feel they achieved. That crazy development near the end is also my favorite part.
1 
There's two types of people in the world the one who swings and the one who don't, but even if you don't like swing music you would appreciate this movie if you like "friendship themed film" and Japanese comedy.
9/10
Although with its fresh idea the movie felt it tried so hard to be a melodrama, it didn't even made me teary eyed because it was forced. The movie is also predictable if you're used to sci fi films. This movie has so much hype that made me believe it would be interstellar level but no it's not even close.
8/10
The song at the end is very fitting to the theme of the movie like after you see what the characters went through the song would just cut deep. Very beautiful song, I love it when I discover great songs by just watching a movie.
9/10
8.5/10
8.5/10
9/10
8/10
btw I found his clip on youtube, it's her first movie. Anyone know where can I watch this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwmfGiWjuzg
Damn I wish ueto aya reprised her role and this time as a strong teacher.