Not Quite Dead Yet

I saw this movie almost by accident: The tickets of the movie I wanted to see were sold out, and was able to obtain tickets for this one in the last minute. Don't believe the critics. It did not disappoint! This movie is full of smart humour, entertaining and very touching. Don't forget to stay for the end credits. There is a bonus scene.

Japanese Movie " Not Quite Daed Yet " is a comedy- action drama with fantasy element and a father- daughter relationship at its core.

The movie has a messy pace, with things happening out of nowhere and their progress being all over the place. The twists and the main idea behind the story weren't explained either.

On the other hand, the film is entertaining and the story original, thought predictable. The relationship between the father and the daughter could have been handled in a better way.

The performances, finally, were all great by all the actors and the actresses of the cast.

So, overall, six out of ten.

Nanase (Suzu Hirose) wants nothing to do with the pharmaceutical company run by her father (Shinichi Tsutsumi), especially when they are working hard to invent a drug that restores youth. But the chemists there have also invented a drug that causes the user to die - for two days only. When her father "dies," and a rival company tries to take over in order to profit from the youth-restoring drug, Nanase must enlist the help of near-invisible employee Ghost (Ryo Yoshizawa) to save the day....

I didn't mention that Nanase's biggest interest, besides insulting her father, is singing in a death metal band, and this film is replete with concert scenes of her band, complete with totally inane/hilarious lyrics and devoted cult following; these elements play as important a part in the film as, well, the chemical elements that Nanase knows as well as her father does. Part comedy, part family drama, part musical, and wholly quirky, this is definitely a film to wake up the dead!

Stumbling upon the 2020 Japanese comedy "Ichido Shinde Mita" (aka "Not Quite Dead Yet"), I opted to sit down and watch what writer Yoshimitsu Sawamoto and director Shinji Hamasaki had to offer. Sure, I had never even heard about the movie prior to actually sitting down to watch it.

I was immediately drawn to the movie, given its cover. And I have to say that the movie's synopsis sounded like something that could be fun. Sounded like it...

However, the storyline in "Ichido Shinde Mita" was a swing and a miss from writer Yoshimitsu Sawamoto in terms of entertaining me. This was mainly because of the character gallery in the storyline, man, talk about annoying and irritating characters. And the dialogue they had to deliver was just toe-curling to listen to. Especially lead actress Suzu Hirose's character was so annoying that I ended up giving up on the movie.

I found no entertainment or enjoyment here in "Ichido Shinde Mita". So this is definitely not a movie that I will recommend fans of the Japanese cinema to rush out and get to watch.

My rating of "Ichido Shinde Mita" lands on a two out of ten stars.

Not Quite Dead Yet: Where Flamboyance Meets Forced Fun

"Not Quite Dead Yet" aims for comedic gold with its flamboyant protagonist, but the execution stumbles, often leaving viewers more entertained by the concept than the delivery. While the lead character embodies a humorous personality, their over-the-top antics frequently cross the line from quirky to grating, especially compared to the more grounded performances of the supporting cast.

The film's humor hinges on simple conversations morphing into exaggerated comedic sequences. Unfortunately, these often feel forced and miss the mark, coming across as punchlines rather than naturally arising humor. The lead's overacting further detracts from the potential, becoming so distracting that it overshadows their genuine comedic moments. This stands in stark contrast to the supporting cast, who deliver their humor with subtlety and nuance, resonating more effectively with the audience.

While some may appreciate the protagonist's outlandish persona, many will find it a hurdle to enjoying the film. The constant barrage of overacting disrupts the comedic flow and overshadows other aspects of the movie. However, it's not all doom and gloom. The film does offer some genuinely funny moments, and like many Japanese movies, it cleverly weaves in life lessons applicable to real-life situations.

Ultimately, "Not Quite Dead Yet" feels like a missed opportunity. The concept and supporting cast hold comedic promise, but the lead's over-the-top performance, often reminiscent of an anime character misplaced in live-action, and the reliance on forced comedic beats leave the film more cringy than laugh-out-loud funny. If you have a high tolerance for campy humor and appreciate life lessons delivered in unconventional ways, this film might offer some entertainment. However, for those seeking genuine laughs and nuanced characters, "Not Quite Dead Yet" might leave you wishing for more.