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12 May 2011 @ 08:08 pm
GANTZ reviews - my paper 2011.05.12  
Yatta! Happy GANTZ Day! It starts screening today and I found 2 articles in the bilingual daily, my paper.

However, they hold conflicting views. =(

I put my rusty translation skills to work, so if you encounter any mistranslation, please leave me a comment as I did them in a hurry!

short review in English


Chinese article (my thoughts: somehow I have a feeling the reviewer was even reluctant to review GANTZ...)


GANTZ (NC16)

Director: Sato Shinsuke
Starring: Ninomiya Kazunari, Matsuyama Kenichi, Yoshitaka Yuriko

Kurono Kei and Kato Masaru both survived after a head-on collision with a subway train. Thereafter, they were teleported into a secret room and met others who had suffered similar fates. In this room, there exists a huge black sphere-like structure called GANTZ. It issues orders to them to carry out killing missions, so as to continue living by accumulating sufficient points in order to be reborn.

The film uses a science fiction technique to create an alternate purgatory, by juxtaposing life vs death, evil vs moral issues, thus producing supernatural scenes. (Translator's note: I don't know how else to translate this.)

Although the script follows quite closely to the original manga, the movie's pace is too slow, and the scenes do not make sense. (<_<) Though the viewer may better understand the game after each weird mission, they feel very repetitive. Furthermore, the movie revolves around the alternative world, reality and the room - the transitions do not appear seamless enough, which made them lag.

On the acting front, the two male leads are considered sufficient. The actor who obviously carries the film is Ninomiya Kazunari's (YAY!) character Kurono Kei. As for the others who are "dead", their characters and motives are only superficially touched on, leaving viewers unable to empathize with them.

- my paper, 12 May 2011.

Please do not repost. If you wish to share, please link back here.  Thank you.
 
 
( 43 comments — Leave a comment )
antron77antron77 on May 12th, 2011 12:39 pm (UTC)
the entire article , i'm only satisfied with this comment "The actor who obviously carries film is Ninomiya Kazunari's "

shokim: Kei-chan!shokim on May 12th, 2011 12:49 pm (UTC)
I know right!

The entire article reads like such a sham! In fact I was reluctant to work on it at first, because it gave me a very WTF!? feeling! @_@
bluemonstarbluemonstar on May 12th, 2011 01:57 pm (UTC)
Hmmm, okay. I will watch it soon before I can really decide for myself. Because I have indeed heard from some people (arashi fans as well) that the first part of the movie was not very good. Anyway, thanks for sharing! ^^
shokim: Kei-chan!shokim on May 12th, 2011 02:10 pm (UTC)
I saw GANTZ in Johor Bahru last month and found the movie slow going in the middle.

Nonetheless, the movie was still interesting enough for me to want to watch it again this weekend!! Nino's acting is awesome! :D

I hope Perfect Answer can come asap as many who have seen it said its a better movie in comparison!~

You're most welcome! ^^
kurata_kasukikurata_kasuki on May 12th, 2011 02:42 pm (UTC)
thanks for this ^^
shokim: Mr Tabooshokim on May 12th, 2011 02:45 pm (UTC)
You're welcome!~

Thanks for commenting! ^_^
Sharburenesharburene on May 12th, 2011 03:05 pm (UTC)
http://sourplus.tumblr.com/post/5421787618/okay-then

Just thought that I should inform you about this.
Is it okay with you? I'll take it down if its not okay. :)
shokim: Mr Zeroshokim on May 12th, 2011 03:26 pm (UTC)
That's okay since its just a quote, no problem. ^^

The Chinese review is just grrrr!

Whoever trusts what my paper writes anyway!?

GANTZ is totally a niche film and NOT mainstream. They are sadly mistaken if they're expecting to see a commercial movie! @_@
Sharburenesharburene on May 12th, 2011 03:36 pm (UTC)
I don't know. :/

I got really pissed off when I read the Chinese review. You may not like it but others do! >.> I felt that he was just writing the review for the sake of writing it. To me, it was kind of sloppily written.

On a random note, since this review wasn't too good, I hope they'll screen Perfect Answer. I'm not getting my hopes up though.
shokim: Mr Tabooshokim on May 12th, 2011 04:00 pm (UTC)
The biased K-everything-is-BEST!-my-paper makes no bones about where its interests lie.

I didnt want to translate the article at first, since it sounds like such a reluctant review. They might as well save the backhanded compliment grrr! (ie like being forced to eke out a good point instead of giving it a flat out no-good review)

Dont worry, Perfect Answer will come for sure, just not so fast.

Let me recommend you to watch Umizaru 3 showing in GV now. Its action, drama and suspense all rolled into one! (and funny too, besides!) It was super popular in Japan last year - came out before Ohoku - starring Ito Hideaki and Sato Ryuta. You wont regret it! ^^
leisypeisyleisypeisy on May 12th, 2011 03:57 pm (UTC)
the singaporean papers are always so bias towards japanese entertainment! what the hell *kicks them*.. BUT still i am very very excited to watch it! FINALLY its here in SG.. finally!!!!!! cant wait to watch it!!!!
shokim: Sakumiyashokim on May 12th, 2011 04:02 pm (UTC)
Because they are so blind that they only support EVERYTHING K! Isnt it obvious??? =_='

YES! Who cares what the biased freakin' papers write! We'll watch what we've been waiting for a long time to watch! *thumps up my fist*
Indah Sunindahsun on May 12th, 2011 04:06 pm (UTC)
oh wells.. but anyways.. i watched it just now. GOSH! just way too amazing.. i really gotta thank director-san for giving Nino such great limelight. watched with a friend who is a not fangirl, was even smitten by Nino and his acting. KYAA~~~ thanks for this! i have a copy of the paper too.. will be hitting the screens again to watch it again! hehe.. too good to only be watched once.. haha.. also, i can't wait for perfect answer. saw the trailer at the end of the movie, and at that moment, i felt like flying to Japan there and then to catch it. HAHA!
shokim: dorks!shokim on May 12th, 2011 04:14 pm (UTC)
You're welcome! I didnt even notice they had the articles until I read them this evening. The Chinese review really got my goat!! @_@

Kyaa your friend was impressed huh! I saw Letters from Iwo Jima before I became a fangirl. When my friend said Nino's in Arashi, I was shocked! (he just didnt seem idol-like enough to me at the time!)

My friend's in Japan now and she managed to catch Perfect Answer! Cant wait to hear from her firsthand how it was when she's back next week!!! (I bet its super awesome!) She also helped me buy the PA movie pamphlet yatta! :D

Yup I'll be going for my second time too! Saw in JB on first day of screening in April! Crazy or what hee!?
Indah Sunindahsun on May 12th, 2011 04:26 pm (UTC)
O M G! your last line struck me! why didn't i think of that, to zooom to JB and catch it! and here i was complaining when they kept postponing here in SG. OMG! ok, this has to be noted. haha! when it comes to part 2, maybe JB will be shown 1st. i'll be sure to zoom there. haha! thanks for the idea..

yokatta ne, to get the movie pamphlet.. :D
shokim: Yama <3shokim on May 12th, 2011 04:31 pm (UTC)
Going to JB again if they screen PA first for sure!

Really grateful to her since I dont even know her that well but she's willing to help me. (besides getting some other stuff!)

Arashians are the best bunch of fangirls I know, seriously!

No problem! :D
edifiel: Nino specsedifiel on May 13th, 2011 01:10 am (UTC)
Gaah! Me also just like this line: " The actor who obviously carries the film is Ninomiya Kazunari's (YAY!) character Kurono Kei.". Why do they even want to review it if both reviews are so conflicting!!
Haiz sadly I'm a "semi-closet" Arashi fan & I haven't been able to persuade anyone to watch it with me yet... T___T
shokim: mr perfect answershokim on May 13th, 2011 12:20 pm (UTC)
There's a GANTZ screening for Arashians only at GV Vivocity 1.30pm tomorrow.

I think there are some tickets left. If you're interested, let me know fast. I can check with the organizer on your behalf.
yuanomiyukiyuanomiyuki on May 13th, 2011 01:47 am (UTC)
Oh the Chinese writer forgot to do his homework. Someone need to take out a whip! @-@

Anyway thank you for taking the trouble to translate and sharing with us. I agree with you, Arashians are the best bunch of fangirls and me too, can't wait for Perfect Answer!
shokim: Masatoshi!shokim on May 13th, 2011 12:34 pm (UTC)
I wish he had saved us the grief and hadnt written the review at all... Its only a half-assed attempt @#$%!

Thanks for commenting and I I agree with you about the fangirls part! ^_^ They're always so helpful, which I appreciate a lot! :D

showjuro: superiorityshowjuro on May 13th, 2011 02:01 am (UTC)
The first review was short but a good one :)

The second one was a bit... What does the writer mean by 'does not make sense'... Well, the scenes of the 'game' might get a little repetitive, but it gets better with each game!

Thanks for sharing :D

I presume you're going for the screening tomorrow?
shokim: aibasexyhandsshokim on May 13th, 2011 12:24 pm (UTC)
I dont know where the writer is coming from. I just know that he wasnt interested in the film at all and reluctantly wrote something to be printed. Every media person is so K-biased and have no love for anything J... What did we expect? =_='

Oh yesh, I am going! Going to ooh and ahh to my heart's content since there'll only be fans around kekeke!!

You're welcome!
showjuro: our rainbowshowjuro on May 14th, 2011 12:12 am (UTC)
*sigh* same here.... I'm happy if they can write something good about Nino.

Enjoy yourself!!! and enjoy Nino!
shokim: mr perfect answershokim on May 14th, 2011 03:15 am (UTC)
They wont, because all of them have been brainwashed by K stuff...

Thank you! I plan too! Its a given!
showjuro: baring my skinshowjuro on May 14th, 2011 11:45 am (UTC)
I wish there was a way to cure the K virus in the atmosphere
nya88_rednya88_red on May 13th, 2011 07:57 am (UTC)
thx a lot for the translation ^^
shokim: Kei-chan!shokim on May 13th, 2011 12:25 pm (UTC)
You're most welcome! :D
chickenbananaxchickenbananax on May 13th, 2011 12:11 pm (UTC)
I seriously WTF-ed when I read the Chinese one omg.
Nonetheless, thanks for sharing! :D
shokim: aibasexyhandsshokim on May 13th, 2011 12:31 pm (UTC)
I wish they hadnt written the review at all if the movie wasnt good enough for them! What a waste of paper to print it... @_@ What did they expect, a commercial film? Its a niche film, which is NOT for everyone!


Dont mention it! At least the English review did GANTZ some justice!
Yaru です!hunnypooh on May 13th, 2011 12:24 pm (UTC)
ahh everytime i see movie reviews from our newspaper, i just go =.=.
seriously, its like no movies are ever good enough for them.
and i think 3 stars is too little for Gantz!
its nino and matsuken in that suit for god's sake! xDDDD
Thanks for sharing, i dont read newspaper *fail hehe
shokim: Sakumiyashokim on May 13th, 2011 12:27 pm (UTC)
At least the English review gave it 3 stars! The Chinese one was T___T for me!

I think if its a K movie, you can bet the homework done and review will be much better written! Its like everything J is not worth their time - stupid media!

No problem! I dont read everyday myself, only when I can heh! :P
JANETjnxy_lol on May 14th, 2011 03:30 am (UTC)
The Chinese article is too much of a critic -.- gives no justice to the movie plot imo. Maybe I'm too biased uh.
shokim: Yama <3shokim on May 14th, 2011 03:33 am (UTC)
No you're not. They were looking for every chance to bash anything Japanese. You can bet if its a K movie, it WILL receive different treatment for sure.

Thanks for commenting. ^_^
JANETjnxy_lol on May 14th, 2011 04:44 am (UTC)
True. Oh do enjoy yourself ltr at the fans meetup!:D
shokim: mr perfect answershokim on May 14th, 2011 02:54 pm (UTC)
Thanks, it was great! I've always liked MatsuKen since L so I really think he should've received credit too. Can't wait for Perfect Answer!

If you wish, I'll invite you to the next fan meet which will be the Dome DVD screening in mid June. Are you game? XD
JANETjnxy_lol on May 15th, 2011 05:08 am (UTC)
Def ON! Hahah I'll see if I can make it :D
shokim: Sakumiyashokim on May 15th, 2011 08:41 am (UTC)
Mark it down in your diary - June 18, Saturday afternoon.

Venue: Old School @ Mount Sophia.
nyusunyusu on May 14th, 2011 02:51 pm (UTC)
at least he gave credit to nino's acting. if not he would have sounded really bias. but i think matsuken acted well too though.
shokim: Sakumiyashokim on May 14th, 2011 02:55 pm (UTC)
I've always liked MatsuKen since L so I really think he should've received credit too. Can't wait for Perfect Answer! :D
bratty_onigiribratty_onigiri on May 16th, 2011 08:52 am (UTC)
The second reviewer dude was criticizing the plot! THE PLOT. The "alternate purgatory" part made me laugh for some reason. XD

OF COURSE NINO LOOKS GOOD IN LATEX. Gosh, that sounded wrong. XD
shokim: dorks!shokim on May 16th, 2011 04:07 pm (UTC)
I know right! It irked me how stupid this reviewer was!

It's a given. DUH.
kanzakishinkanzakishin on June 7th, 2011 01:07 pm (UTC)
When I read through that Chinese article, my impression was, "Did the reviewer even read the whole of the manga?!". The manga is much more 'draggier' ok! I've watched the trailer and part1 of the eng dubbed movie online (since I can't go to the cinemas to support as it's NC16) and I can definitely tell that reviewer the movie's damn awesome and "Please go and read the whole manga before watching the movie again cos that will change his/her review". XD Can't wait for part2 and the movie dvd to be out!
shokim: mr perfect answershokim on June 7th, 2011 03:12 pm (UTC)
Hey I know how you feel...but movie reviewers dont read manga just to write a review. Because they're told by their editor to write a review on such-and-such film, so they'll watch it and pen down their biased thoughts!

Sadly it's hard to find an impartial movie reviewer for Japanese films in this little island as most of them have been brainwashed by the Korean wave. Sad but true.

I am eagerly awaiting Perfect Answer, and cant wait for news of its screening date here, when it comes!

On another note, go catch Mukai Osamu and Kitagawa Keiko in Paradise Kiss? Its also adapted from manga and opens on June 9 as part of Screen Singapore, as close to a same date opening as Japan as we can get! (opened in Japan on 4 June) Omasa Aya is in town to promote the movie (she was on VS Arashi with the movie team and many dramas with JE in the past...)

Thanks for commenting! ^^
( 43 comments — Leave a comment )