Survive Style 5+

Wow, I stumbled across this whilst searching for more films by Tadanobu Asano, and thought i'd give this a whirl, i've heard many good things about it but never got round to viewing it for myself and I've got to say i've missed out on something spectaclarly surreal.

The film has five different paths, all of which are weird and wacky in their own way, my personal favourites were 1,4 and 5. you'll get what I'm saying with the numbers as you watch the film as each segment is numbered upon the start of that particular story.

The acting is super solid throughout the movie, particularly from Tadanobu Asano who for me stole this film with his portrayal of a man desperate to kill his wife, which he attempts to do in a series of ways. Vinnie Jones as the 'Hitman' also was throughly fantastic to watch, his screen presence is noticeable in this film and when he's on screen you can't help but feel that he is the actually the crazed Hitman that he is portraying, best movie i've seen him in so far.

The rest of the actors give wonderful performance, in particular the 3 guys for whom 2 hold a secret that they just can't come to terms in saying out loud, and the supremly funny Bird man and Advertising women.

All in all this film has everything that you could possibly ask for, you will laugh your head off at some of the movie, whilst in outher parts you will feel severly touched with a sudden burst of emotion, enough to make some people blubber with sadness.

I strongly reccomend this film, It is by far one of the best pieces of Cinema that i've seen in the last 10 years, that might be putting it on a pedestal and setting a high mark, but the film truly is that good.

5/5

Absolutely off the wall and out of this world, and I mean that in more than one way. The first of which is the craziness of this movie, Survive Style 5+ is completely nuts. The movie is like a surreal trip in a realistic environment. The sets are like nothing you've ever been before, so elaborate and ingenious you'll be blown away just by seeing them. The second way this movie is out of this world is the pure brilliance of it! The multiple narrative storylines works in the same way as movies like "Magnolia" and "Pulp Fiction" but thanks to the intervening of hired hitman Vinnie Jones all the stories come together into one.
There are so many things I could say about Survive Style 5+ I don't think you'd have the time to read them all. This movie is perfect for anyone who just loves watching movies and its even better for people who study the art of cinema. It's packed full of metaphors and narratives structures which could keep you busy for weeks studying.

Overall: Survive Style 5+ is a truly unique movie, it's deep and meaningful but it's also an entertaining watch for someone who just wants a fun filled night in. Survive Style 5+ is a tradgic black comedy which'll have you laughing at it's stupidity but also spending a moment in deep thought. All in All this movie is a winner, absolutely brilliant.
This type of genius cannot be replicated on any scale. Must Own DVD!

Survive Style 5+ is a slept on modern japanese masterpiece. I'm a huge fan of asian cinema and this one really stood out from the films I've seen. My only complaint is that they could've made this a bit more compact. Now it's slightly too long and repetitive at times, but my verdict would be 4½ stars! Get it now, this is the only available version and at such a cheap price you shouldn't really even consider about buying this, if you have any interest in japanese cinema. SS5+ is like a lighter, funnier, odder version of Magnolia.

"What is your Function?" - The infamous words of Vinnie Jones himself, the only English man in a cast of Japanese actors of various talents.

This film is above all else fun AND poignant. It's an amazing combination and you're never bored, not even for a second. This is thanks largely to the fact the film contains 5 different stories with a host of different cast for each one. You have the man who just can't stop killing his wife to find she just won't stay dead. The business woman who has a ridiculous sense of humour but strikes fear into the hearts of men. The family man who gets hypnotized and thinks he's a bird. The three youths who enjoy a party but at least two of them can't admit the love they share and finally there is Vinnie Jones, doing what he does best: being "well ard!"

This may sound confusing but all the stories run side by side, jumping between each other and eventually joining paths. The characters are hugely likeable and your left on a series of mini-cliff-hangers as it darts from one setting to the next. It's always an excitement to wonder what is going to happen next.

It's shot extremely well and the director's talent for background and colour in scenes is notable. You can tell he has experience in the Japanese advertisement industry because intricate detail is put into all the sets and as a result they are quite simply stunning and beautiful. Everything, even the background screams life and the result is the film has boundless energy and is an excitement to watch.

This film also carries some very strong morals, which each of the characters come to learn over the course of the film. It actually brought a tear to my eye in some places while other areas had me howling with laughter.

This film is a package of excitement just BURSTING to get out and I have seen it countless times now after showing it to multiple friends. A film you CANNOT afford to miss if you're into Japanese film, I guarantee you will enjoy it!

Survive style 5+ when purchased was unsure what to expect hearing different accounts of the film was not dissapointed, constantly entertaining,interesting narrative. My only compliant if any was a tendency to repeat it self and the running time could of being cut, but came close to a 5. At this price a bargin definitly worth seeing and owning.