Somewhat derivative but well played sci-fi action flick – a welcome alternative to the lame Matrix sequels…
The Matrix, Terminator, E.T., Mission: Impossible 2, Independence Day. Okay, so it’s hardly difficult to pick out the references for this derivative sci-fi fuelled action piece. However, let them wash over you and what you’re left with is an enjoyable yarn.
In Returner, set some 80 years into the future, what remains of the human race are hauled up with the Dalai Lama in Tibet. The rest of the earth has been invaded by aliens known as the ‘Daggra’. The only hope for humanity is for someone to go back in time and stop the invasion ever happening.
Tall order for young Miri (Anne Suzuki, Snow Falling on Cedars, Juvenile), as she gets dropped right in the middle of a triad turf war. Spoiling killer-for-hire Miyamoto’s (Takeshi Kaneshiro, Hero[d. Corey Yuan 1997], House Of Flying Daggers, Confessions Of Pain, Anna Magdalena) chance at childhood revenge against gangland boss and general loon Mizaguchi (Goro Kishitani).
So perhaps Miri has fallen on her feet. Miyamoto is one cool, arse kicking dude in a long black leather jacket. (And yes, that is as familiar as it sounds). All they have to do is track down the crash landed alien and spacecraft in the next two days. Or humanity is for it. Only does he believe her? What do you think? So instead our resourceful time traveller resorts to blackmailing him to work for her or literally lose his head.
When they finally track down the visitor from another post code at a government science facility, he’s not exactly what they’d expect. Less barbaric killing machine, more small cute alien (though perhaps more Mac and Me than E.T.) But before Miri can work out what’s going on, up pops Mizaguchi who kidnaps both alien and spacecraft to a heavily defended oil rig.
The odds might be against them, and time is most definitely running out, but Miri has one more trick left quite literally up her sleeve. A time stopping device that handily allows for some ‘bulletcam’ type effects. However, if you think you’ve got this film sussed stay watching for one last neat twist.
Unlike American counterparts, writer/director Takashi Yamazaki never lets the CGI overshadow the live action. And despite the comparatively minuscule budget he gets impressive results. The piece is superbly filmed, in terms of cinematography, effects, but most importantly in the performances from the actors.
Cute Suzuki and the multilingual Taiwanese born Kaneshiro play their roles impeccably. Particualrly Kaneshiro, who is quite the suave lead, implying a lot more depth to his character than is actually written. The joy though is veteran actress Kirin Kiri relishing her role as Xie, supplying mercenaries jobs from behind the front of a small, dingy electronics shop.
So here’s the flaw. Forget how silly the whole thing is – if you really take films that seriously you’d better stick to your Swedish ‘art house’ movies. Forget even the convenience of the mobsters being involved. It’s Goro Kishitani’s rather two dimensional performance as your typical triad/yakusa ‘nutbar by numbers’ that disappoints. Whereas previous performers in both Japanese and particularly Hong Kong films have stood out by taking the role to it’s most theatrical limits. Goro doesn’t even have the screen presence to deserve his kooky spiked hair.
So the Returner is dumb. So what? It’s dumb fun noodle style. And invariably that’s going to have a lot more to offer than Hollywood…
DVD details
Distributor: Universe (Hong Kong)
Perfect transfer of the film, contains DTS and Dolby digital versions of the original soundtrack, as well as Cantonese dub. Includes a 'Making of' which is really just B-roll foootage, and interviews which include English subtitles.
