Review: 'Hero' captures the strengths and flaws of the TV series
Maiko Amamiya (Takako Matsu) and the rest of the team in “Hero.” (Encore Films)
Marcus Goh is a Singapore television scriptwriter. He’s also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. He Tweets/Instagrams at Optimarcus and writes at marcusgohmarcusgoh.com. The views expressed are his own.
Secret ending? No.
Running time: 119 minutes (~2 hours)
“Hero” is a Japanese law comedy based on the television series of the same name. It follows a public prosecutor and his allies as they unravel the schemes behind a seemingly regular traffic accident. It stars Takuya Kimura (Kohei Kuryu), Keiko Kitagawa (Chika Asagi), and Takako Matsu (Maiko Amamiya).
“Hero” has its roots firmly planted in television, and it shows. That’s not to say that it lacks in production values, because from a technical viewpoint the film delivers. It’s the style, tone and pacing of the movie that reveal that its creators still have a very television mindset when it comes to movie making. While other film adaptations of television shows have managed to grow the scope of the story to a suitably large extent, enough to justify its existence on the silver screen, “Hero” just doesn’t seem to have that oomph you’re expecting.
Amamiya. (Encore Films)
Highlights
Asagi’s optimism
Asagi’s enthusiasm and cheerfulness are quite infectious, without overdoing it (as many other representations of this archetype are wont to do). Her optimism and confidence are also tempered by flashes of shyness and doubt, giving her character more dimension and roundedness. It also helps that she’s easy on the eyes and comes across as sincere and genuine too. This all comes together to make her one of the more likeable and endearing characters of “Hero.”
Ensemble cast has comfortable chemistry
The ensemble cast has perfect timing when it comes to playing off each other’s reactions, which leads to a sense of familiarity when they come on screen. You might not remember their individual names (unless you’re a fan of the TV series) but you’ll definitely be able to recognize anyone of them when they appear. They put you at ease, allowing you to accept the quirks and foibles of all the characters more easily. And it’s this warmth that permeates “Hero” and makes it one of the more charming aspects of the film.
Keiko Kitagawa as Chika Asagi in “Hero.” (Encore Films)
Letdowns
Feels like a television show rather than a film
There’s just no escaping the television feel of “Hero.” The scenes and action come in the same rhythm and pace of a TV show, to the point that you’re half expecting a commercial break at some points. The shots and angles just aren’t wide and grand enough to give it the sense that you’re watching a movie. While it may be a plus for fans of “Hero,” who are expecting a jumbo-sized episode, it doesn’t work for the regular movie-goer. It disappoints, and isn’t going to encourage one to watch the regular “Hero” TV series after that.
Stakes aren’t high enough
Being a comedy law procedural in its regular television format, it’s no surprise that the movie “Hero” involves a criminal case that the protagonists have to solve over the course of the movie. However, the case feels very small and underwhelming. The consequences of not solving the case are minuscule, and the impact is only that justice isn’t served. The stakes aren’t personal or dramatic enough to warrant a two hour long investigation. Coupled with the television shooting style, this truly makes you wonder if this story was important enough to be told in the first place.
No change to status quo
The biggest disappointment has to be the absolute lack of any impact on the characters’ lives. They aren’t any wiser or richer for the experience that the movie has put them through. There’s no dramatic impact that will live on after the events of the movie. Worst of all, there’s no significant sacrifice or addition to the states of the main characters. Given all this, it’s no wonder the whole film feels like a two-hour television special.
Asagi and Amamiya have tea. (Encore Films)
“Hero” serves its purpose by reuniting its cast for one last outing on the big screen. However, in trying to stay true to the television show, it fails to utilise the strengths of the film medium, wasting a chance to have made a stronger movie.
Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? If you’re a “Hero” or Takuya Kimura fan.
Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? Ok.
“Hero” opens in cinemas 8 October, 2015 (Thursday).
