First, the obligatory disclaimer: I'm a big fan of Japanese cinema as well as absurdist film, and count among my favorites such as "Shimotsuma Monogatari" ("Kamikaze Girls"), "The Happiness of the Katakuris" and "Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl". Significantly, many of the actors from those three Japanese films appear in "Survive Style 5+", which helps boost it above ordinary comic fare.
Also giving "Survive Style 5+" a head start are some truly promising premises, wacky characterizations and art direction like a nuclear explosion in a crayon factory. So where does the film go wrong? It never goes anywhere with its stories, and it takes forever in doing so. One might well imagine the writer and some buddies sitting around, smoking pot and kicking ideas, jotting them down as they come. But so little is done to develop the ideas, it's very difficult to remain engaged.
Even absurdist movies need to have some substance (such as Terry Gilliam's more adventurous films); without that substance, it never rises above sketch comedy. Instead of substance, the filmmakers give us repetition, or mawkishness. A serious irritation is the inclusion of far-too-loud soundtrack music from far-too-little-talented musicians. Brevity is the very soul of wit, and nothing proves this -- one way or the other -- like comedic films. But the director seems to be so enamored with some of his plot lines that he keeps them on life support far longer than they remain viable.
It really is a shame. With better development of those inventive ideas, without the pointless and emotionally false "touching" scenes, without the music and with about 20 minutes of flab cut out, "Survive Style 5+" could've been right up there with the best in absurdist Japanese comedies. Instead, I found it increasingly unpleasant and lifeless, to the point where I couldn't wait for it to end.
Also giving "Survive Style 5+" a head start are some truly promising premises, wacky characterizations and art direction like a nuclear explosion in a crayon factory. So where does the film go wrong? It never goes anywhere with its stories, and it takes forever in doing so. One might well imagine the writer and some buddies sitting around, smoking pot and kicking ideas, jotting them down as they come. But so little is done to develop the ideas, it's very difficult to remain engaged.
Even absurdist movies need to have some substance (such as Terry Gilliam's more adventurous films); without that substance, it never rises above sketch comedy. Instead of substance, the filmmakers give us repetition, or mawkishness. A serious irritation is the inclusion of far-too-loud soundtrack music from far-too-little-talented musicians. Brevity is the very soul of wit, and nothing proves this -- one way or the other -- like comedic films. But the director seems to be so enamored with some of his plot lines that he keeps them on life support far longer than they remain viable.
It really is a shame. With better development of those inventive ideas, without the pointless and emotionally false "touching" scenes, without the music and with about 20 minutes of flab cut out, "Survive Style 5+" could've been right up there with the best in absurdist Japanese comedies. Instead, I found it increasingly unpleasant and lifeless, to the point where I couldn't wait for it to end.