Odoru daisosasen

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.

This movie is weird. This is the kind only japanese can make. But hopefully this is not (I hope so!) the kind only japanese people can love. It can't be glued to any genre and for example (as it's a huge success) Hollywood won't be able to make it again. Extraordinary action sequences, ultra-suspense and ZAZ-comic-like is a light sum-up of what can be found in this weird but very exciting movie.

'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.

What is this show trying to say? Action, Horror, Romance, Culture Clashes, Loyalty, the old and the new etc. I know it's wrong to pigeonhole something but really, this show suffers from a lack of focus. Done properly, it would have carried some merit. But what I saw was just slipshod film-making. The ending was so over sentimentalised that it was barf-inducing. Terrible.

Movie adaptations of popular TV shows is not a trend unique to America. The Japanese have been doing it for years before. Odoru Daisosasen (Bayside Shakedown) is but the latest attempt to bring a popular Japanese TV show to the big screen. Based on Fuji TV's popular and hip cop show starring pretty boy Yuji Oda, Bayside Shakedown basically delivers what fans of the TV show expect and want. All the formulas that made the TV show such a hit are all well displayed here. Just as with the TV show there is the right blend of comedy, drama, action and even some bureaucratic intrigue in the mix. Unlike recent American attempts at updating TV shows such as Mission Impossible, The Avengers, Wild Wild West, Mod Squad and the upcoming Charlie's Angels, Bayside Shakedown has not altered or revised it's look (granted Bayside Shakedown is a relatively recent TV show as opposed to the examples said above). All the characters from the show and those actors that played the characters on the TV show are all here. This is basically your equivalent to a TV Movie or `Reunion Show' albeit one geared towards a theatrical release. All that being said, Bayside Shakedown will definitely please fans of the show, but for those like myself who are not really fans it leaves somewhat of a mixed reaction. The story is not all too exciting and the action is somewhat tame for a movie. Bayside Shakedown succeeds solely on the efforts of Oda and the cast and their interactions with each other. There's a lot of flash and style but it might have as well been a direct to video release than a `road show ` movie extravaganza. A nice try but could have been better.