Happi Furaito

and that translates to Happy Flight, the movie that i mentioned in the previous post. i just finished watching it.

i'm not sure if this post is going to be a movie review i used to like to write... haven't been watching any quality movies lately, so there isn't much to write about. maybe Fright Night was okay, but not worth the braintime to analyze. i'll wait until Oscars season to be fully active reviewing movies again.

anyhoo.


perhaps some readers are well acknowledged of my fondness on anything Japanese, so you'll be aware that i'll have hints of being biased at times. in fact, there's a few simple reasons why i watched this movie: 1) it's japanese, and 2) it's cheap, at just RM5 per ticket (tho parking at pavilion and popcorn will inflate the total cost equivalent to watching a 3D movie).

as for other slightly more elaborate reasons on why i decided to watch this, it has to be the fact that it's one of the few listed movies for GSC's Japanese Film Festival, so it must carry some critical acclaims, making my task easier in determining whether i'm watching a good movie or not; an unhealthy disorder, having to think about that everytime i go out watching movies. i should enjoy movies more on its pure entertainment purpose. maybe next time.

so, based on those reasons, (ada jugak la some emotional reason -mood swing- behind it, making me choose comedy movies over other more serious movies available at other cinemas) i picked this movie. and solely based on those. i have no other reasons.

so i was surprised to see a familiar face, in the (lovely) form of Haruka Ayase, the innocent sweetheart first seen in Kimura Takuya's series Mr. Brain. it didn't occur to me the first time that she was in that series; messed up the memory bank with another aeroplane-related series "Good Luck!", which features different lead actress. but i just couldn't miss her, could I?

anyway enough with my personal background story. to the story itself. firstly, what i love the most about this movie is its many 'small' (tho one can argue that they all are equally important) stories backing up the main tale about the rookie co-pilot and air stewardess. they all co-exist seamlessly, making the story flow steadily. there's no tied knots or question marks from the many intertwined characters. perhaps it's the aircraft business, but hey, it still requires a talent to join them all together.

don't believe me? try to make a story about a restaurant: from the owner, to the cook, to the waiter, to the cashier. all with totally different stories to tell, but in the end they tell a story about running a restaurant. sounds easy, yes, but try it yourself then you'll know. anyway.

another reason why i really like this movie is the comedic element it put in. instead of making it a comedy (which is what GSC decided to categorize it), it's more of a drama, but presented with humour and some funny elements. and they're simple, funny but original scenes, not some over-elaborated, stupid jokes. it brightens up the whole atmosphere, making people forget that the whole story is about a highly risky emergency case. but still portraying the seriousness of the event instead of making a fool out of it.

critically, i can think of only those two reasons. apart from that, i'm all biased in my liking of the movie, simply because it's Japanese, although secretly i wish that they could give more attention to the character Ayase Hakura is playing; see i don't even remember the name of her character. but all in all, it's a very typical but still original Japanese movie.

i can't give you verdict on this, because the show that i watched was its last show, at least in Klang Valley, so regardless, my verdict is pretty useless. unless you're in Penang, where you'll have a chance to catch the JFF starting on the 22nd. alternatively, you can (always?) google your way to finding the movie to watch or to download.

next up tomorrow, on JFF last day in KL: Double Trouble.