Lorelei (2005)

User Rating:

5.2/10   

Directors:

Shinji Higuchi
Cellin Gluck

Writers:

Harutoshi Fukui (novel)
Satoshi Suzuki (screenplay)

Release Date:

5 March 2005 (Japan)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller | War

Plot:

A drama set during World War II where a submarine carrying a secret weapon attempts to stop a planned third atomic bombing of Japan. Based on Harutoshi Fukui's novel Shuusen no Lorelei. |

Plot Keywords:

Secret Weapon | Submarine | Weapon | Japan | Kamikaze

Cast

Kôji Yakusho	...	Masami Shin'ichi
Satoshi Tsumabuki	...	Yukito Origasa
Toshirô Yanagiba	...	Kizaki Toshiro
Yu Kashii	...	Paula Atsuko Ebner
Shin'ichi Tsutsumi	...	Asakura Ryokitsu
Ken Ishiguro	...	Narumi Takasu
Colter Allison	...	Lt. Eric Minott
David Austin	...	Lt. Dodet
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nicholas Dombrovskis	...	German Scientist
Christopher Ryan Doyle	...	Captain's Talker
Norman England	...	Sonar Operator #1
Caroline Paris Gluck	...	Girl on Beach
Isao Hashizume	...	Sadamoto Nishimiya
Masatô Ibu	...	Eitaro Narazaki
Takaya Kamikawa	...	Man
Kreva	...	Shunpei Komatsu
Jun Kunimura	...	Matoi Tokioka
Matt Lagan	...	Submarine captain
Dave Monahan	...	Radio Operator
Takehiko Ono	...	Shichigoro Iwamura
Shûgo Oshinari
Tyrone Power Jr.	...	US Battleship Captain
Ryuta Sato	...	Kikuo Kiyonaga
Fred Spiker	...	Warrant Officer Nick Nelson
Pierre Taki	...	Tokutaro Taguchi
Yoshiyuki Tomino	...	Ouwada
Shingo Tsurumi	...	Sankichi Oominato

Also Known As:

Lorelei: The Witch of the Pacific Ocean (International: English title)

Runtime:

Japan:128 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Taiwan:GP | Singapore:NC-16 | Finland:K-13 | Japan:G

Filming Locations:

Toho Studios, Tokyo, Japan

Company:

Cine Bazar

Trivia:

The design of the I-507 submarine is based upon a real one : the french submarine 'Surcouf', launched in 1929, was the biggest submarine ever launched at the time.

Soundtrack:

Wiegenlied (Cradle Song)

Review of Lorelei: The Witch of the Pacific Ocean

A fun Sci-Fi World War II film! Sci-fi WWII film you may ask? Well even if you didn't, pretend to be intrigued and shocked by the concept. :P I thought it it was pretty cool. The set up is simple: Having received a highly advanced submarine from Germany, the Japanese deploy it, just days after the Hiroshima A-Bomb, to seek out a transport ship carrying the 2nd bomb. The sub has a secret weapon, called the Lorelei System, and all of the crew are drawn into the mystery of what exactly it is.

Needless to say, you've probably worked out that Lorelei itself is the Sci-fi element, and it works well, even though it feels at times like a device to push forward the partially allegorical storyline. "What do you fight for?" is the question asked by this film, and by exploring the answers given, it has something to say to us about war and life. The film is not any where near as heavy, or thematically dense as seen in Casshern, so it thankfully also delivers a thoughtful, drama with some cool action, to balance out the inward reflection.

Lorelei is a "What if?" film. If the World War 2 ended differently, what would that mean for Japan? There is a large degree of dialogue in the film; expositions from various heros and villains about the past and future of Japan. In this way, the film reminds me of anime. It's not just the philosophical speeches, it's the action scenes, the characters, and the style. Anyone who has seen Captain Herlock, Yamato, or even Blue Submarine No. 6, will feel it. I for one think it is a strength, though many will see it as a flaw.

Western audiences like their fantasy, obvious and total - 100% fantasy, or nothing - which is why I think many western audiences will be laughing inappropriately through out this film. I for one, cheered many a time during the action scenes, but I love anime, and - it's a movie. If you are looking for Das Boot, then watch Das Boot. Lorelei is fun.

The acting is all very well done, and there a few veterans in there that give some great credibility to the story. In fact there are many familiar faces in there, and it's a thrill just to count them.

The CG is very good, especially for a non-Hollywood film - or should I say, non-ILM film. The graphics look generally realistic, but the compositing looks surreal at times. There is a dreamlike nature to the sfx that reminded me of the aforementioned Casshern, that I really liked, though some viewers demanding photo realism may cringe. On the whole, the CG, when not on par with some higher budget offerings, is at least as good or better than some of the awesome cut-scenes seen in video-games nowadays.

The music is atmospheric and suitably militant and heroic when it needs to be. The haunting song of the Lorelei System is notably used in a few scenes to great effect. The sound was great, with all of the "submarine" sounds we love and expect. Can we ever get enough of that sonar sound? The DVD comes with THX certification, and Dolby and DTS tracks.

SO is Lorelei a good film? Well look at it this way: not all films are meant to be picking up "best film", and while this film is certainly one of them, it's a fun romp. Plus, since Fatherland, I am a sucker for Alternate History films. In all, the film can be quite cheesy, and contains a plot twist that I still don't fully understand, and I hope someone can enlighten me one day. However, EVEN when Lorelei is overly sentimental, and tries too-hard to pull your heartstrings, it is fun. With great anime inspired undersea battles, and an interesting and involving story, Lorelei is an enjoyable and exciting film to watch.

3/5 stars, or whatever unit you prefer ...