What Is the Story About?
Set in the late nineties of Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo Vice focuses on a young American journalist, Jake Adelstein (Ansel Elgort). How did he join Meicho Shimbun, a leading newspaper in Japan? What are the challenges he faces and his growth in a world comprising of police and mafia are the series’ basic storyline?
Performances?
Ansel Elgort and Ken Watanabe play the main leads in the series. Technically, the former drives the narrative with his acts, but the latter plays a crucial role in shaping him.
When we see at the overall acting quality and list them in order of excitement, Ansel Elgort comes way down. It is mainly due to a predictable character graph and lack of dynamism on the part of the young actor. He goes about his way flatly even though he is well suited for the role. He has a few scenes to shine where he does well. But, there is nothing of the sort which makes a strong impression.
Kate Watanabe, on the hand, delivers a memorable performance. The seasoned senior actor does well in an exciting part despite a little less run time. The frustration at the system, the knowledge of the way things works and taking a youngster under his wings are all well worked out by the actor.
Analysis
Josef Kubota Wladyka, Hikari and Alan Poul direct the series Tokyo Vice created by J T Rogers. Noted Hollywood director Micheal Mann directs the series’ pilot episode.
In simple terms, the story of Tokyo Vice is the extent to which a journalist goes into an underworld filled city to get to the truth. Jake Adelstein is that character, and his progress and interaction with the various people form the narrative.The first few minutes are not to be missed even though they do not make sense immediately. It helps create a picture in the back of our minds as what follows later is chaotic and a little boring.
The introduction of the many characters and the different worlds takes time to get used to at the start. Only after the first couple of episodes, when we get to the actual story, the excitement begins.
The Yakuza (mafia) world and the characters and their actions seen from the perspective of a journalist drive the narrative. The police-journalist collaboration is also neatly established in the proceedings to keep things spicy and not let everything take a coting route.
There is always an element of surprise despite a familiar premise of exposing and one-upmanship among the gangster and mafia heads. It is what keeps one hooked to the proceedings.
The middle portions are best once all the characters are known. The small moments also work well in these segments. The action and a few twists further keep one engaged.
However, the entire club track involving the ladies feels long and overdrawn. It could have been trimmed or kept at a smaller. A lot of drama during this subplot adds to the length and impatience.Still, everything is neatly connected by the end. It is done with an element of intrigue, but the finale ending on an incomplete note makes it a little dissatisfactory.
Overall, Tokyo Vice is a decent noir crime thriller with an investigative journalism background. It is enough moments to keep one hooked, even if the slow pace and length are major issues.
Other Artists?
Show Kasamatsu starts ordinarily but has an excellent character graph. He does an excellent job of putting across the arc neatly. Shun Sugata and Ayumi Tanida as the rival Yakuza gang leader, do competent jobs, respectively. Rachel Keller gets a good part, and she delivers the necessary with ease. The rest of the actors are fine in their short, but well-cast roles like Hideaki Ito.
Music and Other Departments?
Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans’ background score is effective. There is always a slow but steady build-up to a critical moment. Despite multiple names involved in cinematography and editing, the team maintains consistency in look and pacing. The latter is deliberately slow, and it is alright considering the huge set-up and cast.
Highlights?
Story
Casting
Small Twists
Drawbacks?
The Beginning
Some Rushed Parts
Muddled Narrative At Times
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, For The Most Part
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, But With Reservations
Tokyo Vice Series Review by Binged Bureau
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