Ace Attorney (2012)

This movie is based on the second and fourth cases in the popular video game Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. The plot follows Phoenix Wright, a novice lawyer, who faces off against expert ... See full summary »

Director:

Takashi Miike

Writers:

Takeharu Sakurai (screenplay) (as Takeshi Iida), Sachiko Ôguchi (screenplay)

Stars:

Hiroki Narimiya, Takumi Saitoh, Mirei Kiritani

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hiroki Narimiya	...	Ryuuichi Naruhodou (Phoenix Wright)
Takumi Saitoh	...	Reiji Mitsurugi (Miles Edgeworth) (as Takumi Saitô)
Mirei Kiritani	...	Mayoi Ayasato (Maya Fey)
Akiyoshi Nakao	...	Masashi Yahari (Larry Butz)
Shunsuke Daitô	...	Keisuke Itonokogiri (Dick Gumshoe)
Rei Dan	...	Chihiro Ayasato (Mia Fey)
Akira Emoto	...	Judge
Ryo Ishibashi	...	Gou Karuma (Manfred von Karma)
Kimiko Yo	...	Maiko Ayasato (Misty Fey)
Takehiro Hira	...	Shin Mitsurugi (Gregory Edgeworth)
Eisuke Sasai	...	Yukio Namakura (Robert Hammond)
Makoto Ayukawa	...	Masaru Konaka (Redd White)
Mitsuki Tanimura	...	Natsumi Oosawagi (Lotta Hart)
Fumiyo Kohinata	...	Koutarou Haine (Yanni Yogi)
Kiba-Chan	...	Sayuri (Polly)

Storyline

This movie is based on the second and fourth cases in the popular video game Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. The plot follows Phoenix Wright, a novice lawyer, who faces off against expert prosecutor Miles Edgeworth, who had a perfect win record. He defends Maya Fey, the sister of his deceased mentor, Mia Fey. The court system of the time dictates that the trial can only convene for a total of three days before a verdict must be reached. In the second case, Miles is charged with murder, and it is up to Phoenix to defend him against the best prosecutor of all time, as well as Miles' mentor, Manfred Von Karma, who has not lost a case in forty years! In order to resolve this case, Phoenix must look beyond the drama of the court room and search for clues left by Mia on a 15 years old case, the DL-6.

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Plot Keywords:

based on video game | lawyer | courtroom | murder | justice | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie is mainly based on the second and fourth case of the first Ace Attorney game.

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Connections

Version of Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth (2009)

User Reviews

It caters to the fans

I understand how many people who aren't familiar with the Ace Attorney franchise could watch this movie and be utterly confused and weirded out. However, if you have played the games (or just the first one), I think you will enjoy this film immensely, as I did.

Ace Attorney is a movie about a young lawyer named Phoenix Wright who, after the death of his mentor, must unravel a conspiracy that stretches back to a murder that took place over a decade ago. The characters are quirky, the story is insane, and the references to the franchise are in great abundance. It's not supposed to be realistic.

Here is why it is such a good adaption. The film took liberties with the story in order to condense it down into a 2 hour movie, but they did so effectively and kept the spirit of the games alive. Because of the differences in scenes and dialogue (while keeping the same core story), fans of the games can watch it and still be enthralled, despite knowing the outcome. And the movie is hilarious. As I said before, they make a ton of references to cases they do not showcase specifically in the film. Throwing confetti out of a garbage bag. The appearance of the Blue Badger. Everyone in the courtroom falling over from the sheer force produced in Phoenix's "Objection!" These iconic aspects of the game have been creatively implemented into the movie.

The acting is over-exagerrated, but to me at least, that made the film even funnier. Honestly, the casting, costumes, and make up effectively bring the characters to life. You recognize them instantly, and their weird mannerisms and personalities are amazingly written (save for maybe Maya, who seems a bit too serious in this movie compared to the game).

It's a fun ride from beginning to end for fans. If you haven't played the games, I don't know what to say. Buy yourself a DS and get to it.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

11 February 2012 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Ace Attorney

Filming Locations:

Japan

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,145,395

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nippon Television Network (NTV), Toho Company, Capcom Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1