Returner

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Title
Returner Rating : 4.0


Description
Source : Amazon.com
There's not a single original idea in Returner, but that doesn't stop this Japanese sci-fi action thriller from being a whole lotta fun. Combining elements of (what else?) The Matrix, E.T., The Terminator, and Independence Day, plus a dash of Back to the Future (among others), the mayhem begins when scruffy survivor Milly (Anne Suzuki) uses a time portal to leap from 2084--when humans are being systematically wiped out by invading aliens--to 2002, where she hooks up with a gunslinging maverick (Takeshi Kaneshiro) whose swirling overcoat and hair-trigger attitude make him the live-action equivalent of the quintessential anime hero. Together, they thwart a Yakuza psychopath (played with hilariously laconic nihilism by Goro Kishitani) who's attempting to steal a recovered alien spaceship to exploit its highly advanced weaponry. In its race to avoid an end-of-the-world scenario, Returner throws in just about everything from the sci-fi anime repertoire, and director Takashi Yamazaki blithely and blatantly shifts from juvenile sentiment to violent brutality, resulting in a clash of tones that makes Returner wildly entertaining but decidedly not for children. Utterly derivative but worthwhile for sci-fi and anime fans, it's a noteworthy case of clever recycling, with energy and ammunition to spare. --Jeff Shannon

Cover Image

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Product Information

Released on : January 1, 2002

Running Time : 116 minutes

Publisher : Sony Pictures

Rated : R (Restricted)

Director(s) : Takashi Yamazaki

Total Discs : 1

Format : Anamorphic, Color, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, Di

Languages : English, French, Japanese, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese

Aspect Ratio : 1.85:1

Studio : Sony Pictures

Actors

Takeshi Kaneshiro, Anne Suzuki, Gorô Kishitani, Kirin Kiki, Yukiko Okamoto

Price

List Price:

$19.94 USD

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Customer Review Results

Rating	Date	Summary	Content
1	2010-02-13	brrrrrrrrr..... not brilliant	I try this flick because of main character from "Sleepless town" and should state I look in disbelief at previous 70 positive reviews. All this shooting and special effects go on mainstream TV every day so why we need more? Aliens invaded? We couldnt handle our problems without aliens why we need more? After all this is movie where I expect entertainment, imagination and maybe a lesson but not propaganda and brainwashing.
5	2009-09-21	Woot! The Matrix, only not....	So, while we all love the way that the leading man moves in this movie, waving his guns, we can't deny that, accept for the random American actors playing the scenes from the past, this movie was actually really well acted. Perhaps, a great humor in this Japanese film is the fact that our male hero, while packing fire power for perhaps a small army, gets suckered into something he, at first, really doesn't want to do. In fact, I believe this is one of the first Japanese movies that I've ever seen a woman have the upper hand, and one of the only movies period I've seen a woman seduce a man without using active violence or sex. So, kudos to a movie well directed, a script that works, and an ending that is also less traditional in Japanese society... even, almost happy... :) So, all in all, glad I watched it, and reading all those subtitles, so worth it... :D
4	2009-09-12	Better Crafted Than Most Low Budget Work	The Japanese audio track and English subtitles actually play out a shade better than the English dubbed version, but the English dubbed version is still very good== this combines elements of time travel, alternate reality, and Alien Invaders with shape shifting mechanical fighting devices, something like taking elements of several science-fiction and fantasy stories to blend it into one pretty good "a whole lot less money spent than it looks like on the screen" action movie. The spoilers would include the advertised fact it is science-fiction, time travel, and Aliens Attacking Earth (all in caps) with a totally unprepared young woman as the ultimate hero of a battle to save our world. The actors are well chosen, and when you watch the DVD extras it only makes you realize how good they are-- there was almost no wire work, and the impossible leaps are shown in the practice sessions so you can see how they did them. Okay, it may not be the best movie of this kind ever made, but even if the movie isn't a world beater, the DVD extras are worth the cost as you get to see how they made X yen look like X time ten yen on the screen. .
4	2009-08-02	Excelent Sci-fi	This is an excellent sci-fi flick. There are some weak moments of acting and the special effect, while awesome when new, are showing there age a little. If your looking for a fun and fast paced sci-fi movie you don't have to look much further than this.
4	2009-07-21	Aliens, Gunfights, and Time Travel	It's nothing earth-shatteringly new, actually, it's a lot of scifi cliches...but cliches happen because everyone loves them, so I see no problem there. With aliens, matrix inspired gunfights, and time travel, what more do you need? It was a little gross in a few parts, hence the R rating, and the parts with English dialogue and acting are a little sad, but I think it adds to its charm. Overall, it was fun and entertaining, and if your a fan of all things Japanese, you will especially enjoy it.