August 27, 2008
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Comb-overs are never flattering.Part mockumentary, part superhero epic, Hitoshi Matsumoto's peculiar 2007 effort Big Man Japan aka Dai-Nipponjin) is, if nothing else, a one-of-a-kind motion picture that plays by its own set of cinematic rules. Not because the film snaps, crackles, and pops with unbridled energy or tackles subject matter we've never encountered before, mind you, but moreover because Matsumoto handles the material as if he were coaxing you into a nice, long nap after a heavy home-cooked meal. The story concerns itself with the exploits of Masaru Daisatou (Matsumoto), a humble, assuming man and his extraordinary ability to grow to an astonishing size whenever enormous monsters threaten Japan. Instead of focusing entirely on his heroic deeds and selfless acts of outstanding courageousness, Matsumoto turns our attention to the more mundane aspects of this paladin's life, covering everything from his jaded thoughts on today's youth to the fragile relationship between his estranged wife and daughter. Those seeking non-stop thrills from the picture's collection of creative creatures will be sorely disappointed, as the film is more of a quirky character piece than a full-on action experience. If you can handle the deliberately slow pacing and some questionable special effects, Big Man Japan should entertain. Theoretically, of course.
Recipe For Success: An Unconventional Approach To Familiar Themes + Hitoshi Matsumoto's Performance + What An Ending!
A Word Of Caution: If your attention span is clinically short, you may have trouble consuming this one.
So stop watching Adult Swim, already.
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