AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks

VividSimon Simply Perfect

Aubrey Hackett While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Isbel A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

TheHande 'Bayside Shakedown' is a movie that manages to be exciting, disturbing and funny all at the same time. The movie that starts out as crime drama and even seems to nod slightly in the direction of CSI also has plenty of humour-filled moments.Though the film has three cases at the same time, the story doesn't get derailed, mainly because each of the plots only enhance the over-all feel of the film. The comedy prevents the serious parts from becoming tedious and the well-written surprise makes the film a fulfilling experience. Also a colourful cast undoubtedly helps.The only criticism I can direct at the film is that the opening is rather slow, but things start to pick up at a nice pace.Recommendable for people who like generally good films.

Brian Thibodeau BAYSIDE SHAKEDOWN (1998), which was a record-breaking hit when it first opened and spawned an equally successful sequel late in 2003, is a fantastic dramedy-thriller about a bureaucracy-heavy city police precinct involved in the hunt for a serial killer. The opening scene sets the delightful comic tone: a body floats dead centre in a small river that divides two districts, with cops from both sides wading frantically in the water to see who can get to it first and thus take on the case. On shore, two wisened detectives from the Wangan Police Station quietly mutter their hopes that if the body floats to the other side, they won't have to be bothered investigating the case. Naturally, they get the case, and young cop Yuji Oda spends the next several days hunting down the killer AND an unexpected group of kidnappers, dealing with interference that shows up in the form of secretive high-tech Feds led by an arch-rival, and witnessing the station commanders all but bury themselves in red tape and petty squabling in order to avoid doing real work, all while desperately trying to catch a few moments of desperately desired sleep. This is based on a TV show, but prior knowledge of it is unnecessary and you instantly feel a kinship with these memorable characters. Nice double-twist ending, too! I give it a 10.

celtica I am not a fan of police movies but this one won me over. I found it to have the perfect blend of humor and drama. The multiple plots of kidnapping, murder, and a thief within the police's very own station were all handled smoothly by an excellent group of actors. In a way it reminds me of the movie M*A*S*H in that there is humor, humor, humor, and then "Bang," edge-of-your-seat drama and tension. (This review is in regard to the dvd version with English subtitles.) I've watched this movie a dozen times now and each time I notice something extra, things that are funny or odd taking place in the background. The movie was easy to follow despite me having never seen the TV series. You will enjoy this film.

solo-11 Strangely enough, I watched the movie before I watched the TV series.In short, the movie is just another long episode in the TV series. If you take it that way, you'd probably love the movie as much as the TV series.The movie is unable to stand on its own. First-time viewers will be puzzled by the relationship between Aoshima and Muroi. Many will be disappointed by the relative ease at which the cyberkiller and kidnappers were caught. But those are not the main points of the story.The stratification and redtape within the police force tend to take centre stage in the TV series, and in the movie too. The police officers of Wangan branch were unable to participate in case investigations because they are "just a branch". And Aoshima got into trouble (at the end) only because he had to wait for the headquarters to officially arrest the kidnappers. Muroi, on his way up the rankings, finds it impossible to take care of his subordinates at the frontline.Prospective viewers are recommended to watch the TV series first, although it makes no difference if you are a fan of Japanese dark comedy. Then treat this movie as another TV episode as you watch it, because it is really just a TV special.