[KFCC] Kikujiro Review

Story: Nine year old Masao whom lives with his grandmother has always wondered what his mother is like since she left him with her grandmother at a young age in order to work at her new faraway job. One day during the summer Masao grows bored since all of his friends have gone on vacation and decides to finally set out and to visit his mother. While on the beginning of his travels he meets up with a couple that are friends with his grandmother. The wife decides to send her husband, known only as Mister to the audience, to escort Masao safely to his mother. The two main characters end up hitchhiking the entire way to Masao's Mother's house and have encounters with various yet interesting characters and events.

Review: I have to admit that even though I was enthralled with Kitano's previous films like Violent Cop, Sonatine, Fireworks, and Gonin I was a bit skeptic with Kikujiro. I thought that in terms of story it was going to be predictable, banal, and even downright cheesy. Well I'm glad to report that it wasn't due to how the film is laced with Kitano's trademark offbeat humor, though to a greater extent, that anyone whom has seen his previous films will know what its like. Even though this film is a comedy there is some subject matter that is rather serious, which garners the film a dramatic edge. Also the film boasters some incredible visual sequences; think of Dreams mixed with Kwaiden, which convey Masao's nightmares.

Besides from Beat Takeshi (whom did a marvelous job), I wasn't familiar with the cast. Yusuke Sekiguchi, played Masao, was excellent at delineating the numerous emotions that Masao experienced. Gidayu Great and Rakkyoide whom portrayed the two soft Harley-Davidson bikers, Fatso and Baldy, were a joy to watch. Fumie Hosokawa, as the juggling girl, was absolutely humorous as she performed her tricks.

The movie was entertaining but quite different in terms of entertainment. This film stuck more to comedy and drama while his other films have violent action sets that just burst out of nowhere and take you by surprise. Kikujiro is good in turns of humor yet this is sustained with the supporting characters that show up through out the film and the accompanying sound/visual effects done with the editing of these scenes. With out these elements, Kitano and Sekiguchi wouldn't be able to carry the whole entire film.

The subtitles are top-notch; there weren't any delays or misspellings at all. Also a plus is they aren't burned in the film. Kikujiro is quite different from what you would expect from the movies of this genre, and Kitano for that matter. He took a chance and won greatly by showing his softer side for the camera and not once was it lame, cheesy, or even forced.