MOVIE REVIEW
Bad City
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Genre: Action
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 58m
Director(s): Kensuke Sonomura
Writer(s): Hitoshi Ozawa
Cast: Hitoshi Ozawa, Mitsu Dan, Lily Franky, Hideto Katsuya, Masanori Mimoto, Akane Sakanoue, Tak Sakaguchi, Rino Katase, Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi
Where To Watch: on digital 6 March 2023 from 101 Films

RAVING REVIEW: Welcome to Kaiko City, filled with corruption and crime, where even the financial corporations and prosecutors are corrupt (this is make-believe, right?) In BAD CITY, directed by Kensuke Sonomura and written by Hitoshi Ozawa (who also stars and produced the film,) a corrupt businessman joins forces with a Korean crime boss to eliminate rival gangs and establish himself as the city's mayor. But can a former police captain serving time for murder bring these criminals to justice?

This action-packed film captures the essence of Japanese crime cinema with its raw and realistic fight scenes. The camera lingers on every punch, every kick, and every drop of blood, making it clear that this is not a movie for the faint of heart. I appreciate the focus and attention to detail that these fight scenes have. These are CGI scenes filled with lasers and whatnot; they are intense and in-your-face brawls.

Unfortunately, the movie's dialogue sometimes falls short; I wished some of the conversations would end to get to another fight scene. Thankfully, even with a chaotic script, the film's nonstop action carries it without missing a beat; it’s easy to overlook a few “eh” lines of dialogue when that person is about to get punched in the face.

This movie accurately represents the genre, highlighting the worst fears about the future of Japanese cities, with increasing crime and perceived corruption, making it feel all too real.

Overall, BAD CITY is a solid entry in the action genre. It delivers on its promise of street brawls, martial arts mayhem, and gritty gangster storylines. This movie is a strong representation of Japanese crime cinema, with its realistic fight scenes and depiction of the darker side of society. While it may not be a masterpiece, it is an engaging and thrilling film that regular viewers and fans of the genre alike will enjoy. BAD CITY is a movie that highlights some of the worst fears about the future of Japanese cities. So, if you're looking for a film that delivers on its promise of street fights and over-the-top storylines, look no further than BAD CITY.

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[photo courtesy of 101 FILMS]