Yo-Yo Girl Cop (2006)

Best movie of this year hands down!

I love this movie so much

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

I saw the film at the cinema years ago and came out as the only person in the group that appeared to like it. SOme of my friends begrudgingly let slip that "the actions scenes were cool" or that "the chicks were hot", and it was then that I updated my list of people not to see movies with.Yes, the main girl is cute and yes the action scenes are cool, but in my mind a film doesn't earn the designation "crap" because it doesn't sate one's thirst for blood and titillation. Sadly it seems that Japanese film has scored a legion of followers expecting everything to be "extreme". It doesn't help that Western marketers pander to this lowest common denominator. This latest Sukeban Deka movie is pure teen drama and super-hero action and it doesn't need misogynistic violence, tentacles or acupuncture needles in tender places to be entertaining.The main character is established early on as the daughter of now outcast original "Sukeban Deka", translating to "Girl-gang leader Detective". She is reportedly just as cute and just as aggressive as her mum. After a very stylish intro and opening credits (cool rotoscoping) the daughter, taking her mother's old moniker, Asamiya, as well as her old job, is sent to investigate an Internet based terrorist organisation. It is here that the film sets into "highschool detective" mode where all manner of tangled intra-personal troubles and dark motivations are unraveled.Anyone familiar with the above genre will probably know what that entails: bullies, student politics, trust and friendship, and there is nothing wrong with that. Interspersed with the detective work is intrigue, action and character building enough to draw the viewer along to the climax, which is comprised of a couple of great action setpeices but unfortunately a slightly disappointing conclusion.Kenta Fukasaku has put together a stylish film that works well within obvious budget constraints and ultimately delivers some great cheesy fun, reminiscent of the TV dramas before it. No, it isn't gory, and no, those expecting the next "Asia Extreme Gorefest" with blood, bodily fluids and TnA all over the place, are not going to be happy. But if you can put aside your base desires and just enjoy the flimsy teen drama and cheesy action, you will enjoy yourself.

I didn't know anything about this franchise when I dived in to this movie. I still don't. Maybe it's for the best. In terms of plot holes and 'what did just happen and why?' this goes so much beyond the basic action movie formula it's... Don't really know the word for it. You get the feeling there's lot of stuff that's just left out. If it were a Hollywood movie, it would feel like producer or distributing company intervention of the worst kind. But really, with my experience with Asian cinema, I really don't know. Maybe it's just the makers expect the audience to know the background or something? So, it was really weird. But wow, I liked it. I admit (like others have said) it's slow in the middle. And when it picks up... Well I laughed. In a good way. Overall, it's really not that heavy on the action.Just don't think about much... Or anything, and maybe you'll enjoy this as much as I did.

Aya Matsuura plays a secret agent who infiltrates a school in order to ascertain why a website called Enola Gay is starting a countdown. A countdown to what? Her job is to try to stop terrorists. Her weapon is a steel yo-yo (hence the title). The story unfolds by days, day one being 48 hours or so left. So, this is an agent posing as a high school student, schoolgirl uniform and all. Hot? Absolutely. She befriends a suicidal high school student and this helps her cause. The story is convoluted in its storytelling, but the action is good. Ms. Matsuura is very sexy, a major plus for this kind of film. I'm sure the filmmaker never set out to make Best Picture, but the story has some entertainment value. It probably should have had more action, but that is a judgment call. If you like this genre, by all means go to see it.

This movie seems to based on an anime from several years ago! I am not familiar with it! But what I have seen from the movie it is obvious! The introduction sets the tone for what to come! A schoolgirl is running away! A time bomb is attached to her! She warns the people! Then the bomb explodes! After seeing this I just knew I would like this movie! After this we are introduced to the main character! (I didn't know she was a singer!) But after seeing her I fell in love! A very cute girl with a serious attitude! What's not to like! I think she did a great job! She was really convincing as the tough young chick who can kick ass! And what amazed me was the fact that this movie successfully combined entertainment with a serious topic! Bullying! This is a topic that is a problem everywhere in the world! It is handled in such a way that it will make you think about this subject! Did I mention the humor! In one scene the yoyocop girl gets hit by her own yoyo! Hilarious! A movie not to be missed!