Director: Takeshi Kitano Notable Cast: Ken Kaneko, Masanobu Ando, Leo Morimoto, Hatsuo Yamaya
Kids Return is one of the few Kitano films I had left to see. It was very good, but
is probably not enough of a stand-out from his more iconic filmography. It
shouldn't be missed though, and hopefully that doesn't steer anyone
away. I loved it, and I will see it again and again (as I have with most
of his works). It's a pretty bleak movie, but has little bursts of
humor to even things out. Plus, it's one of the better films about boxing I've
seen; in fact, I'd say it's one of my favorite boxing films.
I really like the chemistry between the two lead actors and their
friendships and where the story takes them throughout their young adult
lives. Kitano's eye was spot on here; I really enjoyed the
cinematography, and a lot of the camera movements were well crafted. I
got the pleasure to see the recently restored Japanese Blu-Ray of this
film, and it looks fantastic, so I must admit I am not sure of the quality
of previously released versions of the film. It had this nice blue tint
to the film without it being the amateurish blue filter look that
plagues many a movie even to this day.
This film also is the only film of Kitano's I've seen aside from
Dolls that doesn't feature him in the film at all—not even in cameo
form. I will say I didn't even find myself keeping an eye out for him,
which is a compliment, cause I sort of feared him being solely behind
the camera. I don't know, maybe something didn't feel right about it.
That being said, maybe it sounds weird, but I thought it was nice to see
him just focus on the film itself from behind the scenes. I think it's a
pretty mature film and well-crafted, and may even be in my top five Kitano
films, though I can't quite say, as I don't feel like taking the
time to.
Also, since this is a review after all, I should probably mention the
plot (which I sort of hinted at above). Essentially, two best friends
are bumbling lowlife idiots trekking their ways through school, being
social assholes, and picking on innocent students. Gangsters in the
making, essentially. Well, without spoiling too much, they both end up
parting ways from the school system. Their relationship with one
another has a nice arc to it and I really don't want to delve into that
too much as I think films are better experienced when the audience knows as little as
possible going in.
Little side note of a complaint (from not my own perspective, if
that's possible). I think the relationship attempted to form with the woman in the restaurant that serves our leading
guy doesn't quite go
anywhere, and I could see that leaving people to desire more out of
that element of the story, but I think it works. Sort of an interest
that just dies, much like in life. Maybe this wasn't worth mentioning,
but there... I did, so have at it.
For final words, I'd say see it. If you are reading this, you probably
enjoy Takeshi Kitano as a filmmaker, or you may have seen the new
iteration of the series, Kids Return: The Reunion (though I doubt that),
and you are wondering where it all started. Whatever the reason, you
are here, and curious, and I again say, go for it. It's one of Kitano's
strongest films, though he almost has no flukes, and it should be sought
out by anyone looking for a more contemporary Japanese classic. It's a
boxing film, by Beat himself. What's there not to like?
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