Returner (2002)

Starring: Takashi Kaneshiro, Anne Suzuki, Goro Kishitani

Director: Takashi Yamazaki

Rating: R

Distributor: Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Release Date: February 10, 2004
Review posted: March 3, 2004

Spoilers: None

Reviewed by Jon Bjorling

SYNOPSIS

An alien race called the Daggra have almost wiped out the human race. In order to alter this, the final human resistance sends back a young woman in order to stop the invasion at its very start. Once in the year 2002, the young woman teams up with a mercenary and together they must stop a mad yakuza and thwart his plans to use a downed Daggra starship and its pilot for his own nefarious schemes.

THE CRITIQUE

Drawing its inspiration from films such as The Terminator, Independence Day, The Matrix, Back to the Future, and even ET, Returner is one of those post-Matrix films where we find the use of "bullet time" shots (if you don't know the term, shame on you) in which characters are able to see and dodge bullets with incredible ease. This film, however, uses it in ways that are both aesthetically pleasing and logical, as opposed to its use in American films.

The film strikes a perfect balance between the humor and action. Takashi Kinashiro's Miyomoto is a typical movie badass, but is given more cleverness than just basic attitude. Anne Suzuki's Milly is a very sweet child and even more clever than Miyomoto. But the true star of the film is Goro Kishitani and his scenery chewing villain, Mizoguchi. Kishitani is a mass of energy in this film. Even when his character is still and calm, we can see him ready to move.

Yes, the story is not original. But then, director Yamazaki's style makes up for that. The tricks he learned on his previous film Juvenile (which, like in this film, he did the CG effects for) are refined and improved upon. The Daggra ships that at one point are disguised as Harrier jets and transform into the alien battleships look extremely impressive. The Daggra themselves are a little less impressive and look more like video game monsters, but are still a technical improvement over the aliens in Juvenile.

Returner makes for a very entertaining evening. Unlike many of the other action films available to rent or buy, this one succeeds to delight. The familiar story and characters are made up for by the impressive CG work, hilarious story elements (especially Milly's demonstration of her equipment,) and fast paced action. For those looking for a good, stylish action flick, Returner is definitely one to pick up.

THE VIDEO

Video is 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. The transfer looks fine, the colors are well balanced and the black levels are fine. It's an overall nice presentation.

THE AUDIO

Sound for all three language tracks (Japanese, English, and French) is mixed in 5.1 Dolby Surround. The sound quality is nice, and the English language track is okay. Nothing special to speak of, but not as bad as it could have been.

THE EXTRAS

There are only a few features on the disc. They’re about the visual effects, the action direction and art direction. Generally-speaking they’re okay. There is also a production diary with optional commentary by the director and star, Anne Suzuki. This is, to me, to be the make up for the lack of a commentary track. Oddly, one can find the track on import versions of the film but not on this Region 1 release.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Returner is one of those films that, like Battle Royale (or Dark Water for that matter), is brilliant, but few people will ever get a chance to see them. I'm really glad Columbia picked up the distribution rights to the film and is trying as hard as they can to promote it.  It's a great action film and now American audiences have the opportunity to see it.

VERDICT: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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