MOVIE PICKS - DETROIT METAL CITY

I've recently watched this absolutely hilarious movie called 'Detroit Metal City' starring Matsuyama Kenichi. It is about a timid, sensitive countryside guy called Negishi Souichi who packs up for Tokyo in search for a dream career of being a saccharine-sweet pop singer. To his horror he ends up being the leader of 'Detroit Metal City (DMC)' - a destructive death metal band singing about murder and rape; while assuming the role of the snarling 'terrorist from hell' Johannes Krauser II who dons over-the-top makeup and costumes. Against his will, DMC becomes extremely popular, and to make things worse he runs into his crush Aikawa Yuri - a music magazine writer who hates death metal.

The plot centers around him trying to keep his secret from Aikawa and his mother, as well as a battle for the title of king of death metal. The movie is adapted from the popular manga by Kiminori Wakasugi and was also produced into an anime series.

First of all Matsuyama Kenichi is totally unrecognisable! He is best known for his portrayal of L in Deathnote. It is hard to piece together that the cryptic L detective in Deathnote and Negishi/Krauser are one and the same person! His comedic timing is priceless; the full turnabout when he plays Negishi (especially dweebie haircut and feminine antics) to angst-ridden Krauser is outstanding; very versatile actor. The movie plot is rather predictable by my standards but his acting alone carries the film to greater heights.   

The music score in the film is also decently-crafted; and the performances look realistic, with Matsuyama helming the vocals. There is also a sub-plot where Krauser has to engage in a nationwide battle with indie bands, which is really pretty fun to watch! Albeit warning: adult content and foul language.

I was delighted (a little surprised too) to see Matsuyuki Yasuko as the monster manager of Death Records, who forces her authority on DMC, and especially abusive to Negishi to inculcate hatred in him to write more violent songs (it works temporarily)! Matsuyuki is one of my favourite japanese actresses since I first saw her in a j-dorama when I was little. Her usually classy image is shed away to something... utterly unlady-like.. she looks great though!

I haven't had much interest in comedies, but one whiff of the trailer and I knew that it was going to be funny - seldom do trailers make me laugh! The one I caught on tv was a shorter censored version =P Oh and Gene Simmons from KISS is also featured as the death metal king whom Negishi has to beat (KISS was the inspiration behind the character of Krauser). It's funny how they managed to get him on board. Trailer below (warning: bad language and no subtitles sorry!):

Ok last note I think this film is that good that I BET Hollywood will come pushing for an American re-make. I don't know why they bother in the first place when Hollywood remakes never ever comes out superior or matches the original. Also it won't be easily done as the scenes are rather manga-centric, refering to certain expressions and actions common in manga. It's something the Japanese excel in, so I figure it'll be strange to see  the same thing portrayed by western actors. My 2-cents.