A big budget, large-scale production, good sets and locations, great camera work, splendid editing, use of colors, etc! It's a shame it doesn't fulfill your expectations as a continuation of the series.
This time around, we have a wild chase throughout Tokyo trampling over a regional festival (Obon), taking part in a Cosplay parade and being involved with Japanese Mafia. Along with Detective #2 (the Japanese rich guy from the previous one), a political case needs to be solved.. it's hardly a mystery plot anymore. You can't really play along this time! It's development is easily derailed from the premise, with too many ideas to make it seem grander than it is. And there is less comedy (what there is.. is of lesser quality).
I was surprised and delighted to see the respected Asano-san "chew scenery" and have so much fun with his given role (at least someone knew the movie they were in)! Tony Jaa, on the other hand... is underused for a physical roles, and his English is improving but still bad. The cast continues to increase for no good reason, and no one is memorable. Choreography is decent, but set-pieces are simply dumber this time around. I'm having a hard time remembering things with details even now.
There seems to be a lot left to cover in what might be Detective Chinatown 4. I'm much less interested in it now.
I don't understand how this made so much money.. and it's not worth seeing for that reason alone. The first entry is still the best one.
This time around, we have a wild chase throughout Tokyo trampling over a regional festival (Obon), taking part in a Cosplay parade and being involved with Japanese Mafia. Along with Detective #2 (the Japanese rich guy from the previous one), a political case needs to be solved.. it's hardly a mystery plot anymore. You can't really play along this time! It's development is easily derailed from the premise, with too many ideas to make it seem grander than it is. And there is less comedy (what there is.. is of lesser quality).
I was surprised and delighted to see the respected Asano-san "chew scenery" and have so much fun with his given role (at least someone knew the movie they were in)! Tony Jaa, on the other hand... is underused for a physical roles, and his English is improving but still bad. The cast continues to increase for no good reason, and no one is memorable. Choreography is decent, but set-pieces are simply dumber this time around. I'm having a hard time remembering things with details even now.
There seems to be a lot left to cover in what might be Detective Chinatown 4. I'm much less interested in it now.
I don't understand how this made so much money.. and it's not worth seeing for that reason alone. The first entry is still the best one.