This is a completely enjoyable film, with a very capable male lead and supporting cast. The politics around the film are murky, desiring a Hunger Games-esqe dystopian government, yet is too similar to the real world, which made me question the actions of the main players far too often. For example, while the law supports the LDF in being able to self-defend against the main anti-book body, they are not allowed to kill. That being said, they still utilize live rounds (?!). Yet, somehow, they are able to hold off enemy forces authorized to use lethal force.
I feel this is a likely a product of the Japanese viewpoint (and movie rating system), while some people are in fact killed, it is clear that this is a movie intended to appeal to a wide range of potential moviegoers. Another negative is that of the female lead. While her acting is not "poor" per se, her lines often pull this movie down to TV drama standards, with talk about "her prince" and a constant desire to come across as cute. One would think that this is an anime adaptation with how heavily they sprinkle these things into an otherwise serious film.
I feel this is a likely a product of the Japanese viewpoint (and movie rating system), while some people are in fact killed, it is clear that this is a movie intended to appeal to a wide range of potential moviegoers. Another negative is that of the female lead. While her acting is not "poor" per se, her lines often pull this movie down to TV drama standards, with talk about "her prince" and a constant desire to come across as cute. One would think that this is an anime adaptation with how heavily they sprinkle these things into an otherwise serious film.