PARASITE

I liked that the characters were grounded, and that the main character Shinichi in particular was a shy, somewhat gloomy teenager.  Oftentimes in Japanese films, especially anime and manga adaptations including even highly respected Rurou ni Kenshin, the villains are simply way too over-the-top cartoony for me.  Unless I’m watching a fun, silly comedy (like Kung Fu Hustle or Dodgeball), I’d rather have the threat to feel real.  In Parasyte, the villains are subdued, somewhat approaching zombie territory but still learning to communicate as humans.  It’s not easy to be convincing with that set-up, but this cast was able to do so.  In other words, the acting was subtle enough to work, unlike typical melodramatic and over-acted manga adaptations.

I get bored easily, and while I do enjoy a good slow-paced art film every now and then, in general I want to get caught up in the story.  Even during the character set-up, the film never slows, and while there is a bit of exposition, fortunately it’s kept to a minimum, and we learn about the world through either fun dialogue, or intriguing visuals. 

It’s certainly not a perfect film, and there were particular scenes that could have been presented more effectively, and the motivations for the villains are questionable at best, leaving the set up for Part 2 unconvincing.  And the relationship between Shinichi and Satomi wants to be better explored.  But all in all, it’s a fun ride, and worth watching!