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Directed by: Fumihiko Sori Starring: Yosuke Kubozuka, Arata, Sam Lee The movie features two main characters, Peco and Smile. Both of which are high school freshmen and table tennis virtuosos. Smile is aptly named because he never in fact does Smile and so a motif throughout the movie is what can bring joy to him? The answer lies in Ping Pong. Smile looks up to his friend Peco who does nothing but goof of and sing only parts of popular American rock songs. The characters train in sports and their friendship develops all while Supercar, the ever amazing Japanese band's music plays through out the movie. I guarantee you will enjoy this film and you will smile throughout the whole thing. Watch it and love it. RATING: 5.5/5 PROS: Great character development, great story, amazing soundtrack. CONS: Kind of hard to find. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: http://imdb.com/title/tt0328258/
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Feb 15, 2005 16:43
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| # ? Apr 19, 2024 07:36 |
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if you like Shoalin Soccer, you will like this movie... thats what it says on the back of the dvd and yes, it is really good. RATING: 4.5/5
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Feb 7, 2006 03:54
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This movie is great because it takes itself so seriously. Every character has such a thick amount of backstory -- after a while it gets to be rather amusing. The writers, I imagine, weren't satisfied with giving us just flat characters and hot ping pong action. There's a fair amount of drama and character development. There are lots of memorable lines. My favorite was when the aging Chinese transplant is on the roof with his manager, and the camera is between them and circling around, and they say a line each time it catches one of their faces. They're listening at a game being played in the room below them: "He's a chopper." "And he's playing to lose." The guy freaking hears, through a wall, that one of the players isn't giving it his all, but that he has the potential to be a champion. If only he'd take the game seriously! If only he cared more about winning! Man, this movie is good. Just don't expect too many gags.
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Feb 13, 2006 11:54
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Ping Pong blends the teen drama genre with the sports movie genre, but somehow manages not to come off like Karate Kid with table tennis. It's more nuanced than that: the opposition isn't simply evil, and there's more than one central hero to root for. In fact, in the end the outcome of the "big game" doesn't even matter that much. However, that's not to say that it isn't dripping with clichés. There's the training montage, the wise old mentor with a mysterious past, the part where the hero gives up and needs to find his inspiration again, and so forth. Fun to watch, but not especially satisfying. 3.5
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Feb 17, 2006 00:43
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I agree entirely with what has been said about the richness of the characters and their interaction. I've watched this movie twice now and I can't get over how well the story unfolds despite having the basic cliches of the sports anime genre it kind of imitates. I can't get enough of it and I highly recommend it for how much effort the writers put in. I acquired the film entirely to watch it with my best friend, but in the end I am glad it's a movie I can just as easily watch on my own or with anyone I know. Honestly a very satisfying film, due to and despite the cliches. It takes itself just seriously enough but colors it with such immaculate characters that I can't resist. In my opinion, a definite 5/5.5 (I'd go all the way, but I'd feel odd)
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Feb 18, 2006 05:01
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