A poorly thought out and morally devoid yet ultimately entertaining experience

There are two ways to view this movie, those being through the critical eye and the general audience's. From the media critic's perspective the movie was an unstructured, plot hole riddled, and generally nonsensical experience. The setup was poor and confusing, the main character has few redeeming qualities, and character arcs are rare and abrupt. If you're looking for a tight and well-written plot here, turn back now. However, if you're looking for a superhero action flick with a sprinkle of emotions and a dash of comedy, the movie will deliver. Not in any way that's particularly exciting or memorable, but in a way reminiscent of a hastily made kids cartoons. You'll watch, be entertained while doing so, and probably forget everything about the experience a few moments later. With this in mind, I'll split this review into two parts: the purely entertainment aspect, for those in a hurry, and the critical review aspect, where I'll do my best to rip this movie a new one. Okay, let's begin.

First of all, it's a superhero movie, so there's going to be action. Don't expect any exciting hand to hand combat though, this is the sort of action where a guy waves his hand around and the enemy topples like bowling pins. Main character too powerful? Just add more henchman! Are they getting hurt? Are they dying? Doesn't matter! They're henchmen, which as we all know are not actually people. It may sound like I'm phrasing this negatively, but I actually mean everything. Having an overpowered, otherwise unskilled protagonist is fun in it's own way. Perhaps the fights are messy and filled with our hero waving his hands around like an orchestra conductor, but it allows for comedy to be injected and gives room for proper shock value. Shock value is one of the few redeeming aspects of the movie, besides the comedy, and that's because most characters actually react how you'd expect they would in a real world scenario. They are startled, disbelieving, and afraid. It may seem basic but many many modern superhero movies screw this up.

That brings us to the comedy. It's there, but it's mostly just the lead actor carrying all of it. A complete lack of witty jokes and dialogue is made up for by an exaggerated yet not outlandish performance, which manages to bring a light tone where the movie really needs it (this movie could not pull off a dark tone, not with it's screenplay). In other words, you're never going to laugh out loud (bummer, but it's not a comedy movie) but the comic relief will step in occasionally to lighten the mood.

As a wrap of for the first part I'll mention some other things I did like (or didn't dislike). Firstly, the CGI is decent (except for some parts towards the end), so that's good. The music is forgettable, but it's there. The main character's daughter (who we're introduced to first) is extremely kind, caring, motivated, and a good leader, so there is tension when she's in danger or facing a threat. It's not boring, because the plot moves quickly enough to avoid pointless or predictable discussions. There may be pretty much no character development, but that also means you don't have to sit through any hyperemotional drama, if you're the type that avoids that kind of thing. Finally, and probably the greatest defense of this movie... is that it's free. Freeing. There are no rules. There are so many plot holes that you stop caring about them entirely. Who cares if we switch between throwing bombs at our enemies to saving them from falling off a building? Things just happen and it's fun. Disbelief has been suspended as far as it will go, and frankly it's liberating. And so, I'll reiterate. If you're into superhero movies, yes watch it, and be entertained. Just don't look for realism, a message, or anything profound.

Okay, let's get nasty. Um... I didn't like the main character! His backstory is that he abandoned his daughter, which pretty much gives me no reason to empathize with him or root for him when he's trying to reconnect with his daughter. She's right to be mad at him! Pretty much the only reason any sort of progress can be made in their relationship is because he gains powers, because before he reveals this he acts immaturely, greedily, and harshly. What makes it worse is the inconsistency. Instead having a flawed character who gradually learns and changes, we have one who frequently switches between a caring father and a stingy slob who only cares about himself. His journey into power is fun and funny, and so we'll follow him, but it's hard to care when he fails or he's shut down by those he's wronged because it's essentially, irreversibly, and perpetually his fault.

There are no character arcs throughout the entire movie. Okay, well maybe there's one, but it's cliché and obvious and happens when no one's looking (I still won't spoil it though). Instead of character arcs, we get confusion. Things are foreshadowed that never come to fruition, and things are set up that never pay off. Characters seem to play musical chairs with personalities every time the scene changes, and character motivations are called into question without ever being resolved. Oftentimes the problem is that you're looking for nuance and complexity where there simply isn't any. Characters and their behaviors serve only to further the plot while constructing some semblance of change in the protagonist, a change which is unmotivated and not believable in any way.

Yikes, there are a lot of things that don't make sense or aren't realistic in this story. I can't list most of them for fear of spoilers, but suffice it to say that a lot of it comes down to the law only stepping in when we need a villain and miraculously vanishing once a single fight is won. These nonsensical details permeate the entire movie, until you get bored of keeping track of them and decide to stop thinking entirely. Once you stop thinking, you can enjoy the intensity or emotional connection as if it actually exists.

My conclusion of this analysis is that we have a poorly written movie which was made well. The people who worked on it cared while the writers didn't. The result is an entertaining and technically acceptable movie which lacks any creative vision or memorable aspects. Once again, I'd recommend a watch for those interested in superhero movies if you have extra time and want to have fun, but in any other situation you can stay away.

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High Stakes, Personal Action, the Epitome of its Genre

Tough hero in casual setting has always been a favorite premise of mine, and this is a near perfect execution of that concept. A mostly solemn, sometimes goofy, but undeniably awesome protagonists propels this show through past-paced action, charming slice of life scenes, and tense yakuza politics. All of it's wrapped up into a neat and satisfying plot which is simple but never boring. And, while acting occasionally suffers due to classic Japanese exaggeration, it isn't enough to subtract from tight, sometimes even beautiful dialogue. The screenplay manages to deepen the background of the characters without becoming too preachy or exposition heavy. The production, sound design, OST, cinematography, and special effects are at a level where they fade into the background, elevating immersion and suspension of disbelief. The action is honestly quite incredible, and supports the premise of the movie very well. They also managed to strike the perfect balance between characters of varying personalities, and between moods of solemnity and levity. I strongly recommend this movie.

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Great Story, Imperfect Show

The writers of this show have, with a few exceptions, written an overall great story. And, while certain elements of its production were better than others, that is enough to make it an enjoyable watch and generally carry your attention throughout its runtime. There are a number of flaws with the show, and those will be vividly apparent to most people, but I think overall the show accomplishes what it sets out to do. One of the best aspects of it is that it carries a core theme which the characters can strive towards. So, let's go over some specifics.

As I mentioned earlier, the best thing about this show is probably the writing. The premise (a boy raised as a delinquent wants to live a regular high school life) carries inherent potential which the writers exploit quite effectively. They understood how to capture the essence of that idea, channel it into the tone and feel of the show, and still keep it interesting by introducing enough variation to the plot of each episode. With many shows of this kind which deal with delinquents or the Yakuza and which aren't entirely focused on action, the episodes can be very formulaic and uninteresting as a result. While this show does contain a few elements which are repeated through each episode, they are disguised and worked into a narrative which is different enough throughout the runtime to remain interesting. In some ways, the repetition even works in their favor, as the even distribution of action helps to balance the show and keep the audience engaged.

Another great aspect of the writing is the characters. A crucial aspect of any show, and especially those with action like this one, is to have driven characters who can evolve over time. Nanba MG5 gives us an extremely driven character with a well known and well explored goal, while still allowing him to change over time in the ways he views and interacts with others and himself. The evolution of the relationships between characters is a great indicator of how they change over time, and also can introduce some conflict to the plot where needed. In particular, the dynamic within the main character's family is both an important and well written example of this. That being said, the writing isn't perfect.

The most glaring flaw, in my eyes, concentrated itself within a few episodes, manifested in the unfortunate sexism written into the show. To be clear, it's fine to have sexist characters within a show, as long as it's clear that they are flawed and do not represent the opinions of the show. In this case, the show very clearly presents the sexist views of the characters and true and right, permanently damaging much of my respect for the show. Besides multiple instances of a 'damsel in distress,' which can be more common particularly in eastern dramas, the greatest offender is a certain episode which strongly peddles the idea that 'women can't fight.' Not only that they can't fight, but that they shouldn't fight. There is even a narrative around preventing them from fighting, something which is never an issue with the men. To me, this seems quite antithetical to the show's core message of being who you are, no matter what others tell you. There are also a few other instances of sexism within the characters, but those aren't as openly conveyed as true and good, and so are less problematic in my eyes.

The other flaw which occasionally makes its way into the writing is the dialogue, a problem which is often exacerbated by poor acting by some of the cast. There were very hit or miss performances by the cast, with the mc, and few of his friends, and some of his family delivering quite compelling acting, while others, like the romantic interest, the other friends, and some of the more minor family member characters didn't quite measure up. Sprinkle in some Jdrama style awkward pauses and unfortunate blocking, and some scenes can start to feel a little amateur. Luckily, these factors only coincide ever so often, so in general the show is not critically affected by it.

There are a few other performance issues, such as a quite mediocre spread of action scenes, and an entirely unconvincing romance arc, although luckily these aren't presented as the core of the show, and so their failure doesn't harm the show's integral message. Part of the lack in acting in these areas is alleviated by the complexity of the characters themselves, a virtue of the writing which rescues the subpar actors. Most viewers will also likely grow used to the behavior of the characters throughout the show, just as they will eventually, although with great difficulty, grow used to the incredible age gap between the main character and his peers. The main character is played by an actor nearly thirty years old, and it is strikingly apparent. The show has no canonical excuses for this (like him being held back, or something similar), and so we're just left to feel uncomfortable as an adult lives amongst teenagers. This was clearly a decision made to leverage the talent and fame of the lead actor, although in my opinion some (and I do mean some) of the younger actors would likely be just as capable in that role, without seeming so out of place. Also there's a talking dog, for basically no reason. It's... well it's there.

They say you only notice the soundtrack of a show if it's very good or very bad. Luckily, this time around, it was the former. Not only is the soundtrack a good collection of music, it fits the style of the show very well. There was a bit too much repetition for my taste, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed it.

So, in the end, we have a well written show with some very clear flaws. Fortunately, writing is (in my opinion) the best area to be strong in, as it maintains engagement, pacing, and character arcs. Despite the hit or miss acting, the unsubtle sexism, and the failing romance, the show carries a balanced tone and an interesting plot with characters with clear goals and ambitions. Supported by a very well done soundtrack and generally solid visual production, we get a mostly pretty good show. If a mostly pretty good show with some action and some drama is what you're looking for, then I recommend this show.

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An Almost Perfect Masterpiece of Comedy and Drama

There's so much to love about this drama. The vivid characters, the intense plot, the incredible soundtrack, and even the premise itself. This is gender bender in its finest form.

First let me talk about the characters. While all of them are extremely well written and performed, The Queen is one of my favorites put to screen. Finally a main female lead with strong elements of masculinity, only slightly diminished by the fantastical reasoning behind it. The queen is clever, strong-willed, and hilarious in her anachronistic tendencies, to the point where she could carry the show by herself.

Luckily, she doesn't need to. As this is technically a historical drama, there are of course going to be political plot lines. These are executed very well, in a manner that keeps you invested and interested in the events that transpire. Another thing to love about the plot is it's devotion to character arcs. Besides the main lead's arc (which I won't spoil but I absolutely love), many side characters have arcs including villainy, redemption, love, rejection, and everything in between. These arcs are realistic and profoundly affect the plot of the show.

I won't say much about the OST besides the note that one of the songs is literally written about the premise of the show and it's hilarious.

My one and only caveat is that I didn't like the ending, as others didn't as well, although it did manage to resolve all plot lines.

All in all, this is a fantastic show with an incredible premise, engaging plot, unique and amazing soundtrack, great characters, and awesome comedy. And now that I've run out of positive adjectives I can say that I definitely recommend this show.

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An Emotional and Pondering Exploration of Romance and Marriage

This drama is a rollercoaster. It made me at times extremely happy, and at others practically depressed. A lot of this has to do with my intense identification with the characters, but that's not to say they don't stand their ground for any viewer of the series. Certainly they are some of the most nuanced characters I have come across, with dimensions that can't be explained away with a single trope. Speaking of tropes, besides the obvious ones there aren't many to speak of, and the context around the contract marriage is quite different from the usual.

It's not uncommon to see either a solemn male or solemn female lead, but it is somewhat uncommon to see both. It's the combination of the two that make the drama both fresh and exciting but also stressful and frustrating. There is a sense of slow progress that could all come crashing down at a moment's notice. Simply put, it can be intense and taxing. That's not to say it's a bad drama, though, just a certain style. Oftentimes it's beneficial for a drama to be intense because this makes it more engaging and leads to greater plot investment, which is certainly true in this case.

And, besides all this, the good times undoubtedly make up for the bad, just as in a real romance. I have no doubt you'll have a stupid grin plastered on your face just as I did when the leads are together. The three pairings certainly give you a lot to root for, which is one of the reasons I stuck through the tough parts to see the ending, where I might abandon most shows.

I can't forget to mention the thought provoking messages permeating the narration. The main character- a writer- displays her skill by thinking and speaking in the most interesting of ways, questioning everything to a philosophical level. The level of these observations can sometimes be so deep and complex as to make you pause and think for a bit. And, while they sometimes feel like disguises for possibly simpler motivations, they definitely add to the character's personality and maturity.

I do recommend this show, if only for the glowing chemistry portrayed between outwardly solemn leads, supported by a dynamic cast with just as rich of stories as the protagonists.

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Before my review, here's a synopsis since there doesn't seem to be one:

Apple is a 29 year old girl in a relationship, but just when a when a fortune teller reveals she has to get married by 30 or face certain peril, she discovers that her partner's been having an affair! With only a month until her 30th birthday, can Apple find "the one" before the time runs out? Each episode focuses on a new potential partner. The episodes are only a few minutes long and shot in a vertical format.

So what do I think? Well, the premise is somewhat interesting in theory (if not a little cliché), but the short runtime doesn't allow any room for cohesive narrative or character exploration. The episodes are structured almost like a short sketch, except they weren't especially funny. While the cinematography and (sometimes) acting is better than expected, the strange format and short runtime don't quite make it worth the watch.

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A Sports Drama Without the Sports, Probably for the Better

It's no secret that sports are a traditionally a difficult subject to make movies about. Their oft repetitive nature and potential reliance on various sets of information and jargon can lead to uniform plots (like in many western films) or necessarily exaggerated depictions (like in the common sports anime). It's likely for this reason that this drama in particular opted to move away from a depiction of a sport itself but rather into the management of said sport, a truly unique approach. Indeed, it's most common that the management behind sports teams are often the villains of the sports world and rarely the heroes. This fresh- and potentially brave- perspective lends the drama elements of unpredictability and intrigue that serve to make it as captivating as the first drama you've ever seen; that is to say, before you'd experienced that onslaught of trope recycling in every genre.

Don't get me wrong, there are tropes present in this drama, the most notable of course being the premise of the show, in which a brilliant man with a troubled past and a jaded attitude appears and makes everyone upset in the process of putting some well-meaning ignorants in their place. (But I promise he's a nice guy, see? He almost smiled!) Despite this admittedly off-putting central theme, the show managed to surpass my expectations and keep me captivated enough to finish it in a few sittings (quite impressive, with my track record). How? A combination of excellent acting, building tension, and a fast-paced plot. All while managing to develop characters with believable personas and backstories. At this point I'd usually spend about eight paragraphs describing each of these aspects in more detail, but I get the sneaking suspicion no one really cares about the minutia of that.

Unfortunately, there were (in my opinion) a few blunders here and there. Besides the endlessly frustrating trope of a man coming in to do a job better than the woman ever could, there's a bit of plot repetition regarding the main character doing something outrageous, everyone getting upset over it, and then them realizing he was right all along. Also, the reasons he was right can sometimes feel contrived, and other times are contradicted by a later scene. You get the feeling that the writers are hoping some of it will go over your head like with many hospital dramas. And, although I respect the character development they did have, and the character dynamics on the whole were excellent, I feel like we could have seen better explorations of the redemption arcs where they were present.

On the whole, however, this was certainly an excellent show. Even someone like me, who doesn't usually touch sports media with a ten foot pole, finds themselves invested in the conflicts and cheering at the victories. Through excellent execution, production, and perspective, the showrunners created an experience that was utterly interesting and sometimes even moving. And, while the exclusion of a majority of the actual sports aspect of the show is initially jarring, it is quickly revealed for the brilliance that it is: a sports drama without the sports.

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Short and Sweet Slices of Slice of Life

This drama is so short (less than 20 minutes in total) that it's actually impressive they managed to fit a story in here. And- disregarding my clever title- there is in fact a story, depicting a romance far more realistic than most portrayals in long form dramas. The interesting problem the show runners had to solve is how to split this story into eight episodes of only two minutes! The resulting miniseries is almost like slices of how you might otherwise have seen the story in a longer show.

The quick and clever way they depict information within their limited time is quite impressive. We're able to pick up important exposition about the characters, their situations, and their motivations. This leaves the much-needed resulting air time to story moments that further develop the characters and add spacing to main plotline (the romance). All of this is supported by solid production and acting, and clear editing between scenes and perspectives.

Unfortunately, not every mishap can be avoided with rapid storytelling, and there are a few other missteps here and there regarding creative decisions. For instance, it seems very odd and completely pointless to have a male character be the narrating voice from the perspective of our female character. Perhaps if there were internal conflicts about her sexual identity this may be justified, but as there is no such thing it just leaves us confused. Another thing they're forced to do to save time is to cut the dialogue very quickly, which does add a bit of energy but unfortunately also makes it occasionally hard to keep up or completely process the implications of the lines. In addition, sometimes it can feel like the audience is missing some kind of history between the characters, although at other times it is well implied. However, assuming these issues arose from production constraints rather than artistic direction, they can be easily forgiven.

In conclusion, this miniseries delivers a surprisingly well-defined story through clever visual exposition and fast-paced dialogue, only missing a few steps here and there in production and direction on their way to an otherwise successful show. That, coupled with the extremely short runtime and consequently low time commitment, means I will firmly recommend this show.

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Wickedly Intense, Jaw-droppingly Serious, and Appallingly Realistic

This series startled me with astounding intensity. The urgency of it, the darkness of it, the unparalleled realistic horror. In a story woven through likely events, complex villains, and passive yet perpetuating characters, such unbelievable things occur with plausibility and motive. The main cast, driven by individual problems and personalities, interact in a way that's sometimes friendly, sometimes tense, and sometimes outright criminal. A grounded shaky cam and fast paced contrasting music only add to the realism of a drama which contains meaningful messages about issues that still resonate today.

One result of the tone and events of the series is a consuming need for justice and resolution within the viewer. This makes for a riveting show, which I managed to binge in about a day (not too difficult, as the runtime is about five or six hours). The story progresses quickly, with clear (but not obvious) relaying of information. There is no filler, and really no nonsense, which helps the show maintain it's serious and respectful tone. Frankly, it has to be respectful, as the things it covers are not only villainous, but horrific and traumatizing, in a disgustingly real sense.

One thing that stands out about the series, especially in contrast to others like it, is the unorthodox but completely great choice in music. Tense moments are filled with fast paced tracks akin to action thrillers, emphasizing the panic of the characters in them. Music often stops and starts with realizations and cuts between characters, depicting the wildly differing viewpoints of those in each confrontation, and the eerie impossibility of things that happen with ease. All of this is laid on top of video done with a shaky cam that is realistic but not obtrusive, and which still manages to fit in some more artistic shots while conveying information efficiently.

Another thing which is both frustrating but ultimately rewarding is the complete realism and struggle within plot points and resolutions. Things don't happen by chance here, and if there is any luck it's always on the villain's side. The main character(s) feel like they're facing every possible opponent at once, including the universe. There are no breaks. Every positive change or event that happens is entirely due to a proactive action by one of the characters. This makes every resolution, every win for the characters feel completely earned. It also requires some strong and resilient characters to fight for them.

In many dramas that deal with bullying, the characters fighting against it are weak, and overcome it with luck or extreme help from others. While our protagonist starts out weak, and does receive some help from others, she quickly becomes extremely strong and outspoken, someone worth rooting for amidst the terrible odds stacked against her. Indeed, all the protagonists have their own circumstances and struggles which add depth to them but doesn't prevent them from speaking out against what is wrong (at least, eventually). That said, those who are the protagonists is not always clear. Good characters do bad things, and bad characters do good things, and sometimes you don't even know which is which. But there is always clear motivation behind the actions, leaving us and the hero to figure out what should be done about them.

Some of the most interesting, well written, and pivotal characters are the main villains. There are a few of them who are indisputably the antagonists, even if there are occasional moments of redemption (if they can even amount to that). These villains, in response to their own extreme situations, backgrounds, and fears, act out in terrible ways against those who initially expect kindness from them, using sinister manipulation and fear tactics. These characters blackmail, threaten, pressure, and otherwise extort those around them to do their bidding, wielding public opinion like a weapon against their opponent. On one side, they can be frighteningly clever, while on the other they can be clingy, scared, paranoid, jealous, and even unhinged. There are some moments with these characters that, accentuated by the desperate music and fantastic acting, are genuinely terrifying.

Almost all these characters have some sort of change throughout the series. Protagonists can gain bravery or resilience, gray characters can flip sides or reveal new parts of themselves, and villains can grow gradually more unhinged or just snap all at once. Each character is affected by the events that occur, and change realistically according to those events and their own circumstances. Even in the end, there is no perfect resolution where all the characters unnaturally snap to some universal new understanding of morals and justice, and instead they continue to respond according to what has occurred. Again, it's sometimes frustrating, but ultimately rewarding for the story and the viewer.

While this show is extremely dark, and absolutely not suitable to younger audiences or those with triggers to violence or sexual assault, it does convey some positive messages about these situations. For instance, media often shows kids getting into trouble for reporting on their bullying, which could be harmful for those going through bullying in real life. This show, however does not do such a thing, and rather rewards characters for being brave and doing things that are beneficial for those going through similar situations in real life.

There are also messages relating to the negative acts of certain characters, stipulating potential causes, motivations, and circumstances that could lead people to become like that. A very interesting part of the series are a certain set of characters (usually delegated "the boys" of the classroom) who are typically bystanders but often perform a form of twisted, subjective justice eerily similar to cancel culture. These students act on uncertain information and issue cruel punishments in the form of public ridicule. At the same time, they do nothing while others are being tormented, even if they know or suspect it is unjustified. The show- while not explicitly making a point of it- does a good job showing how these people can be villains too, and how they justify their complicity by quickly distancing themselves from those viewed as being in the wrong.

All in all, this drama is wickedly intense, jaw-droppingly serious, and appallingly realistic in its depiction of what are- in the end- criminal acts of violence and assault in a classroom setting. Whether it is through a desire to make a change or the need to tell a good story, the showrunners manage to convey the urgency of it all with unique and grounded camerawork, impeccable acting, and unorthodox contrasting music. The plot is fast paced, solid, and clearly depicted, while characters arcs occur easily and with reason. I wholeheartedly recommend this drama, with a bit of a warning for those susceptible to triggers and those who can't handle overly tense shows.

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A Predictable and Unoriginal Delivery of an Otherwise Positive Message

I won't say this movie was abhorrent, as it wasn't, but it was very disappointing for me. Even if it did deliver the positive message of being confident in your own body and staying true to yourself, the actual plot was just entirely too predictable. Every cliché that could happen in this type of movie did happen, which not only made me lose respect for the main character but also the movie itself. Any idea or moral that it tried to convey was undermined by an uninteresting plot. Unfortunately, it couldn't be salvaged by the romance either, as I felt almost no chemistry from the male lead. I am glad they managed to avoid vilifying plastic surgery (especially with the unrealistic beauty standards of the modern world), but there was a bit of fat-shaming in the form of slapstick comedy. Not a lot, but just enough to further diminish the power of the main message. Also, I won't say too much about the ending but it felt very sudden and a little unrealistic. This was a short review as I really don't have a lot to say, but I suppose I'll say this: For a movie from 2006, I can applaud how it's managed to stay mostly inoffensive until now among a veritable minefield of potential discretions, and maybe this plot concept was a bit more fresh back then. But viewing it now, the movie is entirely too predictable and uninteresting to be saved by an occasionally endearing performance from the lead actress. With that, I will recommend against watching this movie.

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A Fun, Touching, and Beautiful Exploration of Life, Family, and Love

This beautiful movie takes a fun premise and expands it into something so much greater. Embedded in a plot full of hilarious situations and slapstick dialogue is a touching tale of a life long-lived, a family well-built, and difficulties hard-overcome. Without much more than a few brief flashes to the past and the incredibly emotional and soulful singing of our protagonist, a tragic but full life shines through the incredible acting of the lead actor, culminating in a story to relive her youth once more how she always dreamed it, all of it perfectly encapsulated in the final song "One More Time." Every plot line, character, and dream is perfectly set up without the viewer's notice, only to come back later on in the movie and hit you in the gut with emotions: sometimes overwhelming joy, and sometimes painfully beautiful tragedy.

At it's most basic, the movie delivers what the premise suggests: a fun comedy of an old grandmother in a young woman's body. The premise is well explored and delivers every moment you'd want from it. But on a deeper level, the movie finds great meaning and purpose in the transformation. Throughout the beginning, the protagonist's talents at singing when she was young is often reiterated, along with the occasional mention of her long forgotten dream of being a singer. When she suddenly regains her youth, not only is it meaningful on a physical and story level, it is meaningful to the protagonist herself, as she is given a chance to finally fulfill her dream after always doing what's best for her family.

Family is an incredibly important theme throughout the movie. Be it conflict or accord, arguments or appreciations, everyone is deeply connected in an important and visible way. This is beautifully portrayed in well-written and well-delivered dialogue. No conflict is accidental, no tension goes unexplored, and the deeper you delve into the family's true relationships, the more love you find woven into it. Amongst the love is tragedy: things taken from those who deserved so much better, sacrifices made in service of loved-ones. The bond between parent and child is so strong and striking it brought tears to my eyes. These moments are earned, buried beneath the everyday commotion until extraordinary circumstances unearth them, and that makes them all the more powerful.

Love, romantic love, is also deeply explored in the movie. Nothing is quite so simple as to have a "main lead" and second lead" or even a "villain," because every character's relationship and personality is so much more nuanced. An supposed enemy might, under different light, appear to be an intimate friend, and relationship decades old may hover directly on the border of love and unbreakable friendship. What is true love? What is just physical attraction? How do you know which is which? Perhaps these questions are unanswerable but we can still weave through them, finding their intricacies and changing with the situation. It's unlike any other romance you might encounter.

At the core of this movie- and what makes it so profoundly impactful- is soul. Feeling. Interactions are built on years of history, relationships on decades of connection. The acting perfectly displays the soul of each character, their past and their present shining through their words. Most incredible in the main lead's actor, who is perfectly convincing in the mannerisms of her actions and words, and who manages to layer every song she performs with so much emotion it stops you in your tracks. Every song that's performed carries great emotion and meaning, layered with the past and the personality of every character (but especially the main lead). I cannot express how perfectly the music in this movie accompanies, elevates, and reinforces the themes and stories and- most importantly- the soul. And it only gets better with every re-watch.

This is a movie with incredible depth where you least expect it. And by that I mean everywhere. Just as my rating suggests, it's a perfect story with perfect acting, perfect music, and perfect soul. The deeper you go, the more feeling and emotion you find, and for that it will always hold a place in my heart. I highly recommend this movie (which is now one of my all-time favorite movies), and implore you to watch it immediately.

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A Hilarious Mainly Episodic Comedy

I was genuinely surprised by how funny this was. I found myself laughing out loud almost every episode, which is rare for me in any shows or movies. There's not really a whole lot more to say than that, besides some details for you comedy sticklers. So I'll do that as concisely as possible.

First of all, there's no laugh track, so that's a plus. It's also not reminiscent of a sitcom; the jokes are often taken much further, which is to the benefit of the show. There's a decent amount of cringe humor, so prepare yourself for that, but if you can bear the brunt of it the jokes made with the cringe are some of the best. There isn't a whole lot in the way of through lines for the show, besides Seok's relationship with Ae-bong and his success with his cartoon (although this is rarely brought up forthright, only as an excuse for the delivery of more jokes). Don't go looking for a story here. It's an episodic comedy. And a really good one at that.

The only crime is that it's too short and they rebooted it instead of making a second season. I definitely recommend.

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A Perfect Execution of Classic Tropes

As is the trend in kdramas throughout history, this show could be described by some as a collection of tropes, strung together to create a coherent narrative. Usually, that's the sort of thing I really despise, but the way they pulled it off in this show lends me some sympathy. Excellent acting, efficient humor, and an engaging plot line makes this a most effective guilty pleasure. It also helps that they took the liberty to innovate here and there and was ever so slightly more progressive than some of its older counterparts. For those familiar with the kdrama scene, there isn't much more to say.

The Korean drama industry has come a long way over the decades, and that is apparent in the level of shows they make today. Flawless production and incredible acting are becoming a given, and I'm here for it. And, while a bit of repetition in the soundtrack is unavoidable due to its length, and the plot was somewhat forgettable overall, it still managed to hold my attention to the end. I think ending the show after 12 episodes was actually a really good idea; it felt like a natural place to end things without spinning up some miscellaneous plot contrivances.

Although the premise is basically a bundle of tropes (office romance, contract relationship, rich guy-poor girl, and more!?) there was some innovation here and there. As with most shows of this type, the uniqueness really shines through the side characters and the second lead. I was also very appreciative that the female lead was actually good at her job (huh!?) and the male lead wasn't an arrogant jerk (a trope which, in my opinion is a little too tired). The family relationships for the chaebols was also well executed and somewhat unique. In the end, shows like these are carried by the actors, the production, and the character dialogue, and Business Proposal pulled through on all fronts. Don't except anything too profound, but I do recommend this show.

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A Mediocre Imitation of Something Greater

The potentially interesting (although not entirely original) premise for this movie is not done many favors by the actual content. The often impressive action and hints of the character development and progression of a better movie are muddled into mediocrity by confused writing, unlikeable protagonists, and a cliché villain plot with few tangible stakes. And that's not even mentioning the usually abhorrent visual effects. I'm not usually one to dock a show for it's cgi, but it really trivializes the content, even more than it already is.

And really, that's one of the biggest flaws with this movie. One of the core concepts of the premise is that the "Seven Masters" have obtained many mystical abilities through their mastery of martial arts, and that these abilities can be taught to those with enough Qi. But from the beginning, the tone is confused. Initially, the concept and abilities are trivialized, used nonchalantly and played off for comedy. But later on, they are glorified and something to be used with great caution and responsibility. The Seven Masters (although there are only five, somewhat funnily) are viewed as both stereotypical bickering old people and also martial arts masters worthy of great respect. Having this sort of duality is something that can be pulled off, but it's not done effectively here, and the two sides only seem to detract from the other.

By far the biggest asset to the movie is the action: as it should be, for a martial arts movie. The choreography and stunts are for the most part very well done and extremely dynamic. The only problem is the story that contains them. Having great actions scenes is good, but to make them really impactful, you need tangible stakes, rising tension, and emotional investment from the characters. These things are all attempted by the story, but each falls flat in its own way. The stakes are far too grandiose and unexplored to be meaningful to the audience, the tension is messed with when the comic relief starts to detract from the main story, and our characters are too numerous and too unexplored to develop much attachment from the viewer. Even between the two protagonists (in what was likely supposed to be a romance subplot) there is pretty much no chemistry, meaning no investment when fighting for the other.

What I hoped would be the saving grace, was the protagonists. My initial impression was a guy with little skill but a good heart and unshakable morals. However this notion is contradicted time and again as he whines about training, disrespects his teachers and the privacy of others, and even considers fleeing at crucial plot points. It feels like a weak imitation of Karate Kid in a place where there shouldn't be one (keep in mind we're talking about a karate *kid*, who complained once and was done, versus our adult protagonist who never shut up). In fact, the whole training montage was done poorly in my opinion. What's more, there's very little character development, and perhaps he even gets worse from where he starts as the movie progresses. Towards the beginning of the movie, he is obsessed with learning the "Palm Blast" move so he can get stronger. Of course, we expect that by the end that he'll learn that martial isn't about just being strong. Instead, he just learns the Palm Blast move and that's that. Cool...

In summary, let me say this. My drive to continue and complete this movie was singular: the catharsis of a previously weak (but likeable) protagonist learning to be strong and proving his enemies wrong. If you're looking for that, turn back now. If you're looking for a good story, turn back now. If your looking for good characters, turn back now. If you're looking for comedy, you might be satisfied initially, but the story gets more serious very quickly, so I'd say turn back now. And finally, if you're looking for some solid actions scenes... well, I mean, you'll get those, you'd just probably be better off finding them in a better movie. So with that, overall, I will recommend against watching this movie.

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A Disappointing Romance Drama on the Verge of Being Good

This is a romance with an interesting premise and potential for some great character interactions. Instead what we got was a short, awkwardly paced, and often frustrating experience which couldn't keep it's own momentum. At the beginning we are curious about and rooting for the protagonist, but by the end we are as fed up with her as everyone around her is. Character development jumps lightyears in a few minutes and then drags along for another half hour, and things feel stretched out and rushed all at the same time. Let me explain a little better.

My greatest criticism of this drama (although I have many) is the main character. Listen, I love me an introverted character. I'm not even opposed to those that are outwardly rude (as long as they have a reason, like a backstory or mistaken view about life), but I draw the line when said character cannot develop out of their rudeness, at least in a somewhat believable manner. Not to spoil anything, but the main character makes progress in some scenes only to completely regress in the other. Then, later on, certain developments are maintained, leaving you to always wonder whether the current moment of the story will even matter in the long run. If you can call it a long run.

The pacing of this drama is very poorly done. There are only two hours of total content, so basically a movie, and yet they make it seem like a rushed series. We trade in steady and meaningful character development for tropes and backwards plot lines. Why develop characters further into a believable romance when you can totally backtrack things already established with misunderstandings and tropes? Keep in mind, these tropes that are crammed in there are usually meant for 16 hour full length dramas, and aren't things that can be recovered from in this amount of time.

The worst part is that the potential is frequently visible. Every moment of hesitation we see in the main character before she acts out, every honest dialogue that starts between our romantic leads, and every meaningful change in our character's behavior brings a spark of hope that maybe- just maybe- the series is about to pick up, change is about to happen, and the story will get interesting. It doesn't. The hesitation doesn't turn into later not doing it, but instead into the same amount of hesitation. The honest dialogues are, while not forgotten, lacking in emotional impact in later scenes. The meaningful changes in our characters are, more often than not, just reversed later on in the story. And so it hovers in the awful zone of "almost good" where you can't stop watching in case it gets better but it never does.

I am not going to recommend this drama. I find it disappointing. It's not that it's bad, it's just so almost good that it's painful to watch.

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