Review of Initial D (2005) by Dennis A — 21 Jan 2009
This review's point of view will be from the cinematic experience, and there will be no comparison on how true it stays to the manga/anime. Despite all the star power in the movie, from teeny boppers Edison Chen and Shawn Yue, to veterans Kenny Bee and Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, this still remains a Jay Chou vehicle.
There will definitely be comparisons with Hollywood's The Fast and The Furious series, starring Vin Diese and Paul Walker. The similarity is the same cinematography technique used that starts from the driver's POV, pulling back to the dashboard, the rear seat, the boot, and the car from a "helicopter" view.
Being based on a comic book offers some depth to the storyline, and it helped by staying true to the setting, being based in Japan. Given this is Jay Chou's debut movie role, it is difficult to critique if his acting skills are up to mark, as his lead character Takumi Fujiwara is a nonchalant man of few words.
His co-stars Edison Chen and Shawn Yue could very well be their own persons as well. Chapman To, as usual, brings across the rather light hearted moments. Perhaps the only flaw about the movie was the sappy romance between Jay Chou and Anne Suzuki.
Not that she isn't gorgeous, but their scenes together doesn't further the plot much, and slows down the pace somewhat of this movie about the need for speed. This is an enjoyable flick.
This review of Initial D (2005) was written by Dennis A on 21 Jan 2009.
Initial D has generally received mixed reviews.
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