Yeah, Zebraman.
This is yet another Miike film I've heard a lot of love for and finally saw, but was let down by.
No, I didn't think it was actually AWFUL (in fact, I'd say it is the best Miike film I've seen - better than Sukiyaki Western Django and Full Metal Yakuza that is). In fact, I really enjoyed the first half hour, and then it was still pretty good for around a half an hour after that. Then the film hits a brick wall and is flat out boring for like 40 minutes. Then we get a bland final confrontation and a pretty amusing last scene. I've seen this happen in numerous newer Japanese films, it's as if no one knows how to write a second or third act, so they just wing it. I dunno. The film at two full hours is also at least half an hour too long for how much is really going on..
In regards to people praising it... I've heard people say it has "killer" fight scenes. Well, that was clearly not the point, but I have to ask: WHAT fight scenes?
I also have to note the subplots with the leads son and daughter, which are basically forgotten for big periods of the film, and don't make a lot of sense anyway.
Overall, a 6/10, and I think that's a little generous.
