I was able to watch this movie again, thanks again to my friend Con who lent me her copy for the 2nd time.
It's been a long time since I last watched this movie. I had my first review about if dated way back last Feb 21, 2007! So I'm here again to rewrite a review. I wanted to compare if my review before and now would differ.
Well, you see, I was a big fan (and still today) of Prince of Tennis the anime. So when I first heard about this movie you couldn't imagine how excited I was. I watched the trailer over and over again and even saved it in my phone. Gah. My phone was so low-tech back then that's why I recorded the trailer from a computer using the video lens of my phone. yeah, everytime I have a break at work, even when going to the bathroom I watch the trailer! Seriously! Proff of my fondess with the trailer alone was that when I watched the movie again just this morning, I still remember the lines in the trailer. Hahaha! Especially when Ryoma said "motto motto". Hahaha!
Mahn, how I loved Shirota Yuu that time. Him being Tezuka was super perfect for me! Made me realize that men that looked like anime characters do exist. My dream about them is still not shattered. Hahahaha!
Ok before this gets too long let me go on with my revised review.
After watching this movie again I now realized that this movie is...
ONE BIG CRAPPY MOVIE!!!!!!!
Hold your horses! Wait for me to finish my review! Watching it again made me realize a lot of negative things about it. Well, it's normal with movies that have stories based on books, so basing it from anime is no different. You have one movie around 2 hours versus an anime saga that lasted around 100 episodes or so (I forgot how many episode tenipuri has, a hundred?). That likes 2 hours versus 2000 hours. What do you get? A super chop-chop movie.
But the first thing I realized was the editing of the movie. You see the pacing from one setting to another was the crappiest thing I saw. I am no movie pro but as a viewer I think the pacing was just too fast. Not surprised as I have explained earlier. I think you call that cinematography huh? But still, they could have done something with the transition? I dunno what the new people will say about it. Fans who really know the story will know what was chopped off. But I wonder how a new person viewing Tenipuri in this state will say?
Don't tell me they didn't have a big budget for this! They had Yonex and Fila plasted on the things of the Seigaku regulars. Ok not plasted, they were sponsored. So duh, there should be enough funds.
Background music was lacking too. There were lots of quiet moments. Why didn't they just use the background music from the anime. LOL
I have something to say about the characterization too. Most characters did not have enough time to build up within the movie. Well, I explained already why. But still, it just makes me sad. Some weren't given much importance too just like Ryuzaki-sensei! Okay she is a younger version, but her role is still vital to the team. We didn't even see her seat beside the court when the match against Hyotei started! Ugh!
Tezuka, as I have said earlier was perfect for me. No complains about him. He really has that Tezuka-aura! The looks and all! Haha! Ryoma-kun well, I had doubts about him but it turned out that Kanata Hongou did well. He has that Ryoma angst in him. The way he plays is not that pleasing to the eyes though. Well what do I expect? Well, for me he was good as Ryoma. Hiroki Aiba has always been a perfect Fuji for me. So I won't say anything more. The cute guy playing Kikumaru has the perfect looks but lacked the genki-genki mode of Kikumaru. Well, maybe the directors wanted him to be a tougher in this movie. But we still see him cry though. Oishi...well his looks aren't that bad but he does not have that fukubuchou vibe. Sorry. Kawamura was perfect for me too. They didn't actually show how his personality changes when holding a racket and not. But oh well he's fine as Seigaku's power player. The one who acted as Momo...sorry. You don't really have that Momo-chan vibe. The Momo-chan from the 1st Gen of Tenimyu was perfect though. The one playing Kaidoh did not have the perfect looks, but I admire how he had that Kaidoh fierceness in him. As for our Data Tennis player Inui, sorry...you too. You don't have the aura of the Inui juice maker. But it was funny to see him drink his own juice. That cracked me up! Hahahaha! The actor who played Nanjiroh was really a veteran. He played in character. he might look older that how Nanjiroh looks like but he did his acting job well.
I just wished they had Sakuno instead of Shion. And her brother. Ugh. Those weren't really necessary characters. They could have twisted the story with the same set of characters.
So I therefore conclude that this movie is reallyy for eye-candy purposes. For the fans who want to see their favorite characters come alive. But to expect it as a good movie storywise? Needs improvement.
But heck...I think I'll watch this again after a while. Haha!
Mada mada da ne!
{ mood } accomplished
I know how good this movie was, but I was just able to have a chance to watch it a while ago. It's so cute!!!!! The most catch one would be the house with a hundred of colorful balloons. That was pleasing to the eyes. It made amends for the unusual protagonist this movie has. Yeah you have an old man here going on an adventure! But heck, his character was heroic by the end. Grandpas rule!!!
Rusell was the cutest chubby boy ever! He's such a darling! The voice actor really did a good job. And of course the animator for him! Dug the talking dog was loveable too! I want a chubby and short dog! Oh well, I love our dog Fuji even though he is the opposite. Kevin the female bird was so pretty too.
Well the main motto for this movie was "Adventure is out there!" Yeah, I should emulate Mr. Fredicksen and go on an adventure myself. Adventure has no limitations, whether you a re a kid, a dog, a bird or an old man. All of us should really get out of our comfort zone. I should really keep that in mind! ^^ So help me God.
So heartwarming to know that Mr. Fredricksen was able to keep his promise to his loving wife. Awwwwww!!!
I'm finally back!
It's not that I'm not watching movies anymore (but I do seldom watch some now)...it's just that I failed to log-in back here. I still love this blog so I have to revive it!
I even got to watch Princess Mononoke again last Saturday! The movie that launched my Miyazaki (and Studio Ghibli) craziness! It was nice seeing it again...it would have been better in Japanese, you know. Okay I'll stop complaining. I super love San and Prince Ashitaka!!
In my excitement I tried to do lots of screenshots! LOL
Well on a good note I might watch the Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace in 3D this Saturday! I HAVE TO! If my friend doesn't go with me...we'll have a major Jedi battle! LOL
Nice to be here again!
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!
I really did not find this movie striking. The best part was the fight with Medusa and the rest was blah.
I just find it interesting that there is another Harry Potter-Star Wars connection (I've done this in several movies). There is Liam Neeson of Stars Wars as Zeus and Ralph Fiennes of Harry Potter as Hades. Haha! Qui-gon-jin versus Voldemort. LOL
I better rewatch the original version. I remember enjoying it eventhough you know that the effects weren't that good b4. I better compare. I have forgotten about it already.
I dunno if the 3D version would have been better.
Didn't know that Sam Worthington who played Perseus was the lead also for Avatar. LOL
I really loved this movie, eventhough the story wasn't really that good. I was hoping for something more unique than a warrior wielding a shield against a dragon. This isn't Eowyn from Lord of the Rings or any other fairytale.
But I loved everything else. The music, the images and the actors. The music was by Danny Elfman who has been long time partner of director Tim Burton on scoring his movies. You also have Johnny Depp which is a household fave of ours who acts as the Mad Hatter as if he was still Jack Sparrow. I also love helena Bonham-Carter as the Red Queen! She's the best! Every word she says mskes me believe she really is the Red Queen. She's such a natural! Mia Wachikowski (?) looked elegant too as Alice. She really has that old-age look. How envious we can get of her beauty!
It was really Burtonish in how they executed the colors and such. It has many colors but it has a dark shade. Really love it!
I am really a fan of the animated version by Disney too, so it is such a great experience to see a more mature take on the story, although it wasn't that mature for the plot. I believe the storybook was much mature since it really puzzles you. But then again I loved it.
