Sukeban deka: Kôdo nêmu = Asamiya Saki (2006)

Sukeban deka: Kôdo nêmu = Asamiya Saki: Directed by Kenta Fukasaku. With Aya Matsuura, Rika Ishikawa, Erika Miyoshi, Yui Okada. Recruited by a clandestine police organization, “K” must stop a plot by student radicals to create anarchy in Japan. Armed with a hi-tech steel yo-yo, and a new name (Asamiya Saki), she must infiltrate an elite high school to find the terrorists but finds an even more sinister plan is about to unfold.

“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 u0026quot;the actions scenes were coolu0026quot; or that u0026quot;the chicks were hotu0026quot;, and it was then that I updated my list of people not to see movies with.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eYes, the main girl is cute and yes the action scenes are cool, but in my mind a film doesnu0026#39;t earn the designation u0026quot;crapu0026quot; because it doesnu0026#39;t sate oneu0026#39;s thirst for blood and titillation. Sadly it seems that Japanese film has scored a legion of followers expecting everything to be u0026quot;extremeu0026quot;. It doesnu0026#39;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 doesnu0026#39;t need misogynistic violence, tentacles or acupuncture needles in tender places to be entertaining.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe main character is established early on as the daughter of now outcast original u0026quot;Sukeban Dekau0026quot;, translating to u0026quot;Girl-gang leader Detectiveu0026quot;. 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 motheru0026#39;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 u0026quot;highschool detectiveu0026quot; mode where all manner of tangled intra-personal troubles and dark motivations are unraveled.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAnyone 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.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eKenta 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 isnu0026#39;t gory, and no, those expecting the next u0026quot;Asia Extreme Gorefestu0026quot; 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.”