Returner

Amazon.com

There's not a single original idea in Returner, but that doesn't stop this Japanese sci-fi action thriller from being a whole lotta fun. Combining elements of (what else?) The Matrix, E.T., The Terminator, and Independence Day, plus a dash of Back to the Future (among others), the mayhem begins when scruffy survivor Milly (Anne Suzuki) uses a time portal to leap from 2084--when humans are being systematically wiped out by invading aliens--to 2002, where she hooks up with a gunslinging maverick (Takeshi Kaneshiro) whose swirling overcoat and hair-trigger attitude make him the live-action equivalent of the quintessential anime hero. Together, they thwart a Yakuza psychopath (played with hilariously laconic nihilism by Goro Kishitani) who's attempting to steal a recovered alien spaceship to exploit its highly advanced weaponry. In its race to avoid an end-of-the-world scenario, Returner throws in just about everything from the sci-fi anime repertoire, and director Takashi Yamazaki blithely and blatantly shifts from juvenile sentiment to violent brutality, resulting in a clash of tones that makes Returner wildly entertaining but decidedly not for children. Utterly derivative but worthwhile for sci-fi and anime fans, it's a noteworthy case of clever recycling, with energy and ammunition to spare. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

I thought it was just okay..........2007-08-30

The movie was just okay. It could have done something more with it's subject matter. It's not something that I would go out and buy right away, but if you have a little scratch in your pocket, and the movie you wanted to buy is sold out, then try Returner. Some cool matrix-like effects, but after watching it, I didn't remember nothing that I'd seen. Not the worst I've seen, but far from the best.

Worth checking out.......2007-08-08

I Bought this movie based on a trailer I saw from another DVD. When I first saw the movie I thought it was okay but not great, but at the same time I wasn't dissappointed at my purchase. The second time I saw the movie I loved it. The action isn't spectacular but the story is innovative and the visual effects are awesome (keep in mind the movie came out in 2002), and it is clear to see that this movie was a major influence on the visual effects on the 2007 release of Transformers.
This is a great film for any fan of the sci-fi genre

Surprisingly good - and I was expecting cheese!.......2007-06-13

I found this and a stack of other foreign DVDs at our local Big Lots for 1.99 each - most have been spectacular!

This one was no different - I really expected a cheesy flick with bad effects. this has a slow start and it's a little hard to follow - then they how scenes from the future and it's like you're sucked into another movie with a REAL budget! It was well acted and well made - I could have seen this being good anime, but they chose to use live action instead - and it actually works!

Lots of entertanment for the price.

Entertaining blend of science fiction action .......2007-03-21

All is a matter of taste. If you enjoy science fiction movies, you might like this one. It has a blend of Independence Day, The Professional, The Matrix and Terminator. It's not original but it is entertaining.

One of my favorite movies.......2007-03-09

This movie is fantastic! what could be better? Time travel, Love, Duty, saving the world from aliens, yakuza, a personal quest for vengance, and great action? Not much! the plot is very clever, well thought out, and well acted. I also love that the "heroes" of the story aren't "typical". I watch it all the time!