Nos Bastidores da Lei

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.

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.

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.

One of the things that is most interesting about the whole odoru franchise is the contrasting characters: the young and eager Aoshima always looking out for the underdog, the beautiful yet scarred Sumire good at her job yet struggling to find her place, the salty old detective Waku, privileged Mashita who strives to prove his worth, and Yukino the lady cop who best understands what it is to have a loved one taken. Muroi presides over it all, the man in HQ who tries to clear the path for detectives on the front line among the more bossy and elitist higher ups.

The tv series did veer back and forth between tension and humour, but there was plenty of comedy relief. In this movie, the tone edges almost towards horror as one villain stalks, and harvests people's organs. There is also a crew of kidnappers on the loose snatching a police official and even a member of the core cast.

All in all though, it is nice to see all our favourite characters again, and see how their lives have evolved.

Odoru Daisosasen (Bayside Shakedown) is a detective movie on the surface. It centers around the case of the kidnapping of a police commissioner of the Bayside precinct. However, digging deeping, it is really a movie about friendship, dark humor, social satire, with comic relief.

This movie can stand on its own without the TV series, as I have not seen the TV series yet before watching the movie. Don't let that be a let-down.

The movie perfectly combines humor with seriousness. One just can't stop laughing at the ludicrosy inside the local precinct and the seriousness of the HQ. At the same time, the plot is fluid and coherent - with a nice surprise at the end to relieve the tenseness.

Go see this movie if you feel watching a coherent detective story with some laughable moments.