Tokyo Raiders is a masterpiece

[pjshimmer]

this movie is a masterpiece. I adore it with all my cinephilic soul.

OK alright, not a masterpiece by any stretch of imagination, but I still worship it.

[Dave Goodmen]

No... the movie is not a masterpiece... what did you think about the movie that make it so good? The action, style or the witty plot wasn't as good as other movie.

The movie was entertaining, but it is nowhere near a masterpiece.

[pjshimmer]

what did you think about the movie that make it so good?

It's not that the plot is brilliant or the screenwriting groundbreaking or anything, it is just the coolest movie I've ever seen. I never saw other movie characters embody so much cool (of course, the definition is subjective). Everything about it just works for me. It's fast-paced nonstop entertainment, and it's the best I've seen.

[rarnom]

this movie is a masterpiece. I adore it with all my cinephilic soul.

OK alright, not a masterpiece by any stretch of imagination, but I still worship it.

Here is a review of the film I am sure you will find interesting:
http://www.hkfilm.net/tokyo.htm

[bkasten]

this movie is a masterpiece. I adore it with all my cinephilic soul. OK alright, not a masterpiece by any stretch of imagination, but I still worship it.

Here is a review of the film I am sure you will find interesting:
http://www.hkfilm.net/tokyo.htm

And here you will find 20 reviews (several by key contributors to HKMDB), most of which are positive, and far more "interesting":
http://hkmdb.com/db/movies/reviews.mhtm ... ay_set=eng

[lonneke]

I love Tokyo Raiders!

I agree that it's not a masterpiece, and it's inferior in many ways to other films of that type -- plotwise, fight scenes, pacing, etc.

But that almost doesn't matter, because Tony Leung makes up for all that. I love his character! I love his trenchcoat and his gadgets, and his apartment. His detective is one of my favorite characters ever.

The movie drags when he's not on screen. I've sort of made my peace with Ekin Cheng (I don't hate him anymore), but I don't see the appeal of Kelly Chan. Toru Nakamura is also good in this movie, but really Tony is the reason why I love this movie so much. The opening sequence is fun.

Er, in short, I love this movie more than I should.

I'm hoping to get Seoul Raiders too, against my better judgment.

[pjshimmer]

this movie had all the right casting. Usually pop stars go from film to film whether the roles fit them or not, but here I think everyone was PERFECT for their role. I am especially fond of EKIN CHENG's performance, and I think this is definitely his most impressive to date. I mean, the guy actually actively participates in fight scenes for once. Everyone complains he is stiff (which he is), so here a stiff guy he plays, and his outstanding stiffness pays off. Also Kelly Chan is awesome in roles like this where she exercises her sweet-doll image.

[Brian Thibodeau]

I'll side with the fans on this one. I love this movie. No deep meanings, no actors trying to win awards, just a bubblegum pop confection made by people who know EXACTLY the kind of movie they're making and have no deeper agenda than to entertain. If you're looking for something deeper, look elsewhere, and if you're unable to review it without attacking the "pop star" cast (particularly if you're predisposed to not liking their work or music), then you're clearly not the intended audience. It's a Chinese New Year movie, which means its a light, fluffy ball of fun for a festive time of the year. It should be taken as such and not compared to the more meaningful works of Tony Leung, or other more serious films made the same year, or even as a piece of the whole of someone's career you can't stand; no one HAS to love this film, but spewing venom at it is more indicative of someone missing the whole point of the exercise rather than applying serious critical discourse.

And by the way, in case anyone thinks I'm just another cheerleader for this kind of film, I AM aware of the filmmakers' use of editing and camera tricks and music to punch up the fight scenes, I AM aware the movie has spots that drag, and it's difficult NOT to notice the cast taking it easy with this one (repeat viewings make all of this clear). But STILL I find it entertaining. It's no 10 out of 10, but I'd at least give it an 8 for effort.

[lonneke]

if you're unable to review it without attacking the "pop star" cast (particularly if you're predisposed to not liking their work or music), then you're clearly not the intended audience.

I can sort of understand that, and yet... I enjoy the Chinese New Year movies; I am their intended audience. But I do reserve the right to spew at the Twins, or Nicholas Tse, or Kelly Chan, if they're making the experience less enjoyable for me. Regardless of its genre, it is a movie that I spent money on and they make money off of, and so it should be open to the same kind of criticism that other movies are.

Besides, the wacky star-studded Lunar New Year movie is a genre all its own, and there are great movies and stinkers within the genre. So I can totally see why even lightweight fluff can inspire either high praise or venom from the fans. But I can also understand when other fans don't feel too greatly one way or another about them.

I give Tokyo Raiders a 5 on its own, plus one bonus point for Tony Leung, so that's a 6.

[Brian Thibodeau]

I wouldn't deny anyone their rights to spew at any actor or singer they didn't like, or preferably to level some constructive discourse about WHY the actor or singer gives them such a problem beyond stating, as in the review at www.hkfilm.net linked by rarnom above, that they are "non-actors" (if this was the case, they wouldn't have made it this far in movies and music), who "stink" (in what way?) and their appearances in movies should include "a Surgeon General's warning on any movie featuring Ekin saying that it'll induce nausea," but I just wish people would provide more though-provoking reasons for their judgements. This is just a personal wish from someone who doesn't have his own website, naturally, but who often scans the web in search of meaningful criticism of popular Hong Kong movies, but who usually ends up finding it in much pricier books. Of course, these are ALL just the opinions of one person at an online site, and that person is free to write even more damning things if they desire, but such flippant dismissals and tired high-school level sarcasm (a surgeon general's warning?!? Come on!) provide little insight into the real or perceived "problems" of films like TOKYO RAIDERS, and often make me "unbookmark" some sites once I realize that the majority of their reviews are as equally shallow.

Obviously, the criticisms in my previous post were levelled at the hkfilm.net review and not at you, Ionneke (unless, of course, you wrote it ). You even mention in your earlier post that you've stopped hating Ekin Cheng, which suggests that, at least for you, his ubiquitous presence in Hong Kong "event" movies might have reached a point where some folks (myself included) can at least resign themselves to his popularity, even if they still have trouble understanding it.

I have to admit I've often wondered about Kelly Chan myself. I certainly think she's an attractive performer, and I've found little to criticize in her Cantopop music (unlike the hkfilm.net reviewer). I'm partial to cantopop, however, so when I write reviews, I usually just mention who performs the songs, rather than claiming them to be good or bad. At the very least, after watching Hong Kong movies for now on 17 years, and having access to Hong Kong cinema of the past 50 years at the click of a "checkout" button online, I have come to one absolute conclusion: Hong Kong pop music is an INTEGRAL part of Hong Kong Cinema. There's little argument for this statement other than to state one's taste for the stuff, and that's all subjective. One look in any bustling Chinatown record/movie store will tell you that this music is popular across a wide range of age groups in Chinese culture. Sure, not every bottom-tier B-movie is graced with a misty, romantic cantopop ditty, but the vast majority of mid- to high-level B-movies, and nearly ALL the A-list films, feature at least one tune (often many more!), usually sung by one or more of the cast members. Such music is often used for a purpose beyond JUST selling Cantopop CDs to people who see movies. The wistful, bittersweet tone of many romantic Hong Kong songs is frequently right in sync with the themes being explored in so many Hong Kong movies, from action films right through to historical dramas and comedies. The best Hong Kong film scores, and by this I mean the precious few that sound like actual compositions rather than random ploddings on a synthesizer or wholesale lifts from American or Euro composers, are often shot through with the same wonderful feelings, alternating between wistful reminiscence and snappy pop-ish beats. Material has been written on this subject; it's just not easy to find.

This brings me to the score music of TOKYO RAIDERS, which the writer at hkfilm.net says sounds like cheezy porno music or something from an MTV promo. Perhaps I'm the only one who thinks Peter Kam's Brazillian-flavoured music was absolutely perfect for a pop confection like TOKYO RAIDERS, for what my two cents is worth, but labelling it "cheezy porno" music is just plain lazy and hugely unfair to just about any composer, let alone one of Hong Kong's preeminent tunesmiths. And, having actually HEARD cheezy porno music on more than one occasion (save your jokes, people!), I can say with some certainty that the reviewer is clearly speculating as to what such music might sound like. Even the labours of the best writers of 70's porn music, from the days when porn makers were able to afford small session bands to toss off a few funky riffs, doesn't come close to the hard work that Kam and many others in the Hong Kong industry invariably afford their scores. Ironically, porn music from the past couple decades is largely library music that you're as likely to find in the background of a car dealer ad on your local AM radio station as you are to hear backgrounding a steamy session of grope 'n tickle. Having worked in (but not on) radio ever so briefly, I was exposed to tonnes of this generic session music and have since heard some of it pop up in several no-budget Hong Kong actioners like GREAT JETFOIL ROBBERY and GOLDEN NIGHTMARE, to name but two of many, so if one were looking to label a Hong Kong score as akin to cheezy porno music, one would have to look (and listen) a lot further down the cinematic ladder than TOKYO RAIDERS.

Besides, the wacky star-studded Lunar New Year movie is a genre all its own, and there are great movies and stinkers within the genre. So I can totally see why even lightweight fluff can inspire either high praise or venom from the fans. But I can also understand when other fans don't feel too greatly one way or another about them.

Good point, and one I largely agree with, despite what you might think based on my posts here. Again, I guess it all comes down to a personal wish for more thoughtful venom. It IS possible to spew all over a film one hates while proving that one knows at least some of the basics of good film criticism or, at the very least, an attempted understanding of the cultural specificities behind any film industry (this, of course, make me think of all the smarmy misreadings of John Woo films I've read over the years, but that's another discussion). But then again, we ARE dealing with the internet here, and I suppose anything goes...

[JohnR]

I thoroughly enjoyed Tokyo Raiders. It's a fun movie that never tried to be anything else. Its flaws are obvious, but it suceeds in providing entertainment. If you want entertainment + social commentary, you won't like it; if you just want to sit back with some pizza and be entertained, you won't be disappointed (unless the pizza is off!).

I was also struck by the music: I can hear it in my head as I type this. I really liked it, it worked well.

And finally, there are two female actors who are very popular, one a legend, whose appeal I never understood. Kelly Chan is one. I have no idea how her music is, but her acting leaves me cold.

[pjshimmer]

Its flaws are obvious

Not to obvious to me. Do you mean in regards to the performances, story, fight scenes, casting, technical context, or ?

[mrblue]

I'm the hkfilm.net "reviewer". Actually, I run the whole site.

Most of my reviews aren't really meant to be deep or anything -- just how the movie affected me. I must admit that a lot of them aren't very well-written if you're going to take them as film "criticism", but honestly, if I wanted to write term papers, I would go back into college. Plus, after doing all of the HTML and site maitenance stuff, sometimes it's hard to write a very detailed review.

My reviews are written from a fan's perspective and they're just my opinion. I don't purport to be any sort of "real" critic or HK film "expert". The site is just something I enjoy doing in my spare time, though it has grown to be a monster with over 1200 pages and about 675 reviews -- when I started back in 1998 it was basically my site, MC4's, the HKMDB and alt.asian-movies.

Tokyo Raiders just seems to be one of those movies that people love or hate. I really hated Ekin at that point in my HK movie-watching "career", and that flavored the review. A lot of my reviews do contain "high school" humor, but I think I balance it out by having more "serious" stuff like the HK Movie FAQ.

I'm not intending to start a flame war -- I didn't take your comments personally, and I hope you don't take mine badly either. I guess I just wanted to throw in my two cents. And maybe you should start your own site if you're so put off by the state of HK movie review sites on the internet (seriously, you are a good and thoughtful writer).

Neil

[rarnom]

and I am partly to blame because I pointed out the review. I just found it interesting because I am very frequently on mrblue's site and I got some good laughs from his 'hall of shame' and I was surprised to see someone raving about a film from that list. But now that others have shown praise, I will give the film a look in the future just to see if I love it or hate it.

As I have said before mrblue, I LOVE your site. When I was first getting into HK film your site was a godsend. Great reviews, great resources, and funny stuff too.

[mrblue]

No problems, man. Like I said, I didn't take anything personally. I know a lot of people like the movie and maybe I'll give it another try one of these days.

[j.crawford]

This movie breaks down for me when it comes to to the boat chase. I was digging the "popstar" cast, cinematography, soundtrack. I had a good time with the film until they hit the water.

It is hard for me to explain/justify this: I am a huge fan of Hot War! That film worked for me on many levels.

[JohnR]

pjshimmer, you asked me what I thought the flaws were. Sorry to take so long to respond, but I only have access to the net at the office and have limited time for posts.

First, I thought Tong Leung was not at his best. He's one of my favorite actors, but he seemed to be going through the motions a bit here. I also can't stand the trenchcoat he wears, especially with that hat at the beginning; he looks like a doofus, not an action hero.

Second, because of the limitations of many of the cast, the fight scenes had to be edited to make them look better than they actually were. For me, they still worked ok, but it could have been stronger. I thought Ekin did a good job, though.

Another thing about the fight scenes: hitting big time yakuza with golf clubs and watching them crumble like they'd been shot isn't believeable.

And I don't think Kelly Chan added much to the movie (at least not until she removed her outerwear toward the end and I got to see her in that green peasant-blouse thing with the tight slacks - at that point she won me over).

Also, that chase scene with Tony on the motorized skate board thing being pursued by yakuza on kids' bikes was absolutely stupid.

Sorry, you asked for the flaws I saw. Again, I still thought the movie was a success; I've re-watched it several times. I guess I would rate it as "good" vs. "great."

[Brian Thibodeau]

Another thing about the fight scenes: hitting big time yakuza with golf clubs and watching them crumble like they'd been shot isn't believeable.

There's a lot of stuff that strains credulity in TOKYO RAIDERS, but I'm with you on it being a good movie worth repeat viewings rather than a great piece of cinema.

As far as believability, I found the opening fight scene with Tony's gadgets and glue disabling the big yakuza goons set the tone quite nicely and signalled that this film was going to play in it's own little world. Thus the scooter chase, at least to me, suited the overall air of joviality, even if it seemed logistically silly. I've read a few reviews where they mention the film's comic-book like atmosphere, and I think in this case that's a fair assessment of what the filmmakers were trying to pull off.

Oddly, my biggest beef about the movie (even though I can understand how JohnR's points could drive some viewers up the wall) is the time of year they shot the movie. Despite the lovely short-shorts modeled by Cecilia Cheung and her Japanese henchbabes, the movie clearly was shot in the late fall (thus the heavy winterwear and scarves in many scenes), with overcast skies and greenless backgrounds robbing the cinematography of a much-needed splash of colour that could've been obtained had the film been shot in late spring or sometime in the summer. Makes one wonder just how cold the water was during that boat chase!

[pjshimmer]

"pjshimmer, you asked me what I thought the flaws were. Sorry to take so long to respond, but I only have access to the net at the office and have limited time for posts. "

No problem. I also understand the flaws that you saw, but let me try to offer some counterpoints anyway.

"First, I thought Tong Leung was not at his best. He's one of my favorite actors, but he seemed to be going through the motions a bit here. I also can't stand the trenchcoat he wears, especially with that hat at the beginning; he looks like a doofus, not an action hero. "

I didn't think Tony was at his best either, but I must confess something first: I was never a fan of his. Perhaps that helped me take his light-hearted role well. The trenchcoat I thought was a nice touch. In the story, it helps disguise himself from the gangs, since he is trying to keep a low profile.

"Second, because of the limitations of many of the cast, the fight scenes had to be edited to make them look better than they actually were. For me, they still worked ok, but it could have been stronger. I thought Ekin did a good job, though."

Agree that Ekin did a nice job in the fights. As far as heavy editing, I thought it added extra energy to the already-frenzic pace. Some editing touches I thought were extremely refreshing, such as the fight between Tony and Ekin, for a while we only see close-ups of Ekin's facial reaction to Tony's blow; we don't see the original punch. In that scene there is something comical about the way Ekin was dodging the punch, which was best captured with the way it was editted.

"Another thing about the fight scenes: hitting big time yakuza with golf clubs and watching them crumble like they'd been shot isn't believeable."

I tend to think that most movie can be enjoyed more if the viewer does not analyze it with too much of a realistic mentality, especially in the case of a New Year romantic-action-comedy. Among the movies that I have found not particularly convincing, if we are to compare them to real life, are the James Bond movies, all of Alfred Hitchcock's masterpieces (everything is done for suspense), and all of Fellini's movies (circus coming out of nowhere, horrible post-production dubbing). Some imagination and suspension of reality as we know is necessary to enjoy the movies for what they are worth, and I think that is the case for the scene in question.

"And I don't think Kelly Chan added much to the movie (at least not until she removed her outerwear toward the end and I got to see her in that green peasant-blouse thing with the tight slacks - at that point she won me over). "

I Kind of agree about Kelly. But even her character is mysterious and vulnerable, so she didn't bother me, unlike Shu Qi in the sequel whom I found a bit annoying.

"Also, that chase scene with Tony on the motorized skate board thing being pursued by yakuza on kids' bikes was absolutely stupid. "

I can understand why you'd think that

[garycheah]

imho, Tokyo Raiders is just another so-so HK flick. nothing great to mention but overall its kinda a new/modern type of James Bond film.

Tokyo Raiders definetly better than Seoul Raiders.

[bkasten]

Tokyo Raiders definetly better than Seoul Raiders.

Seoul Raiders is definitely worth seeing if only for the Shu Qi drag scene. She does it absolutely perfectly. In fact, I wish should be do more comedies. Instead I fear her career is in a graveyard spiral...

[lonneke]

Sorry for the late reply...Brian T, you make great points in your response. Okay, I agree I'd like some thoughtful spewing too

So I just saw Seoul Raiders and it didn't suck as much as I feared it would. I don't think there was any point in setting it in Korea (I mean it could have been set in HK or Tokyo again and not much would have changed), but whatever.

I think the movie's appeal to me really owes a lot to Tony's charm. I just love his character so much. I understand any criticism regarding his acting in the movie, since he seems to be coasting a bit, but I still like it.

Instead I fear her career is in a graveyard spiral...

I didn't know that, and since I can't stand Shu Qi, that's good news for me! Too bad for Shu Qi fans though.

[wwp8]

sorry didn't read everything you guys wrote,
but i think this movie is well overrated.

everybody said it was brilliant ..
so......i bought it as soon as it was for sale.

and.........what a load of cack

basically VERY clever having it scened in tokyo so to bring in some japanese audience too.


i hope seoul raiders are a little bit better