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I can't believe how I've been refraining myself from watching this movie the first time I'd heard of it. From the title 'Space Travelers', I thought that it's going to be somewhat a science fiction movie. But it turned out that it had nothing to do with space...or traveling through it!

I rent this movie from a rental nearby. I rented it just because it's a Japanese movie, yes...I'm a Japan freak...nevertheless, I was the most reluctant to watch this movie, aside from my other rented titles at the time. But from the moment I started to get into the picture, I couldn't get my eyes off the TV set not for once. The comedy is really great, the pacing is great also and not to mention the ending. Although many would say that the ending sucked...but I really liked it. It really serves up to the Japanese melodramatic spirit, if you know what I mean. If you pay attention, most of Japanese drama's ended in a very unsuspected yet realistic way.

Anyhow, this movie really deserves the credit for being able to capture one's emotions and drag the audiences' feelings to it. Although you've never robbed a bank (or ever will), you're still able to relate with the characters in the movies, their dreams, their desire of doing something really meaningful, even in the most absurd ways. I'd give this movie 5 out of 5 stars! ^_^

I know... I know... this ISN'T the animated movie. But it IS a pretty good Japanese action / comedy flick and believe it or not, it really has nothing to do with space at all. I can't tell you why the name is what it is without spoiling the plot of the movie but I will say it has something to do with Ando Masanobu (of BATTLE ROYALE fame) and his favorite Anime (Japanese cartoon) series and we'll leave it at that. I can say that it's a basic bank robbery film where there are the robbers, the hostages, the police, and big "get-away" at the end but NEVER assume too much with Japanese movies. This is an extremely pleasing film to watch and I'm glad I took the chance to pick it up sight unseen on Region 3 DVD.

The dynamic animation and list of characters in this film's opening scene might lead you to believe that what you are about to view is either an animated film, or a mixture of animated and live action sequences. Neither is really true. Like 1997's Cat's Eye, the opening scene is the longest stretch of animation in the film. However, unlike Cat's Eye, this movie is not actually based on a comic. This is a classic bank heist gone wrong. Takeshi Kaneshiro, in a performance more like those in his television dramas than in his notable screen successes, leads a psychotic Hiroyuki Ikeuchi and a nervous Masanobu Ando through the doors of the bank at closing time. Their goal: to take the staff and patrons hostage, and liberate the institution of its assets. As their plan begins to deteriorate, Ando provides the team with fresh motivation by assigning them with character names from a comic book that he is obsessed with, allowing them to escape the severity of the situation (and the boredom of their own lives) by living that fantasy.

Space Travelers is a stylish action comedy with a decent soundtrack and a lot of pretty faces. It isn't exactly a brain-teaser, but that can play in your favour. If you are faced with an un-subtitled version, the visual comedy and slick action shots should be able to maintain your interest.

I bought the dvd after reading a couple of good reviews and a interesting synopsis. I like the idea that instead of a live action anime that would never work (like Dragonball live action) they instead had a character resemblance movie. That was a clever idea to execute the movie and at the same time make it closely based on a Japanese animation. However 30 minutes into the movie it became a disaster case. It was unbelievablely corny. Anyone who finds this movie good, has serious problems and has absolutely no taste in movies what so ever.

What a great film this is! The director of Bayside Shakedown returns with this fantastic movie which will bring out the kid in all of us.

The film's action sequences are top notch, at times even better than Hollywood. The comedy level in the film is very, very high.

Now, it seems for a moment that this is a regular action comedy but guess what - apart from the action and comedy, the film is also a pinching satire on Japanese media, police force and the entertainment industry.

I would give this film a perfect 10 if not for the end.

The film opens up giving us a feeling that this is one roller coaster ride we'll never forget. But then in the end, the film suddenly goes into a very sad mode. My God - it disappointed me!!!!!!

Screw the ending. Check this film out. You'll love it!