I'm not a fan of KDramas anyway. So you've been warned.
This dorama started off fantastic, fun, interesting. Quickly went serious and boring and predicable.
I hated Park Shin Hye's character and acting. She can do much better than that!
Cha Do Hwi can do us a favour and jump in front of a bus! I wanted to kill her so badly!
Enrique Guem was annoying and unattractive.
The music was okay to begin with but damn it's repetitive and gets very annoying!
The ending was predictable. Why do they ALWAYS do this '1 year later' crap?
Only good thing really was that Oh Jin Rak was attractive! but alas he didn't get the girl...

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Okay background first:
*I watched FMA:B for the first time recently.
*I am in love with the anime and the characters
*I am still riding that FMA:B love train and feeling the loss from it
*I usually really like and am on board with Japanese live action adaptations more than the average person does.
*I never intended to ever watch this film, but my never-seen-FMA-ever friend watched this film and told me parts of it but clearly they didn't understand or enjoy the movie at all that I was super interested to see what actually happened and how they actually made the transition from anime/manga to LA.

The Good:
*The locations are gorgeous and so amazing
*Ed's scream when he realises how the stones are made - perfect!
*Hughes actor was spot on casting

The Funny:
*The fact that Al's voice actor Atomu SHOWS up in this WITH blonde hair and interacts with Ed and Al just really messes up with continuity and logic if we ever get another movie and get to the END GAME of this story.

The Bad:
*It barely explains anything to non-FMA fans.
*The plots are changed so much
*There's such a lack of development and a lack of fleshing out the story and a lack of time spent with the characters that scene like Al and Ed's fight just doesn't have any emotional impact.
*They upped and focused on the romance with Mustang and Hawkeye too much
*Winry's actress is trash. Winry herself is trash. She was in this too much (personal preference of mine!)
*They made Tucker seem pathetic and pitiful rather than just a CRAZY mo-fo
*The casting is 99% wrong. They clearly ONLY hired these people because they're famous so the production would get a bigger budget and bigger funding etc. And they hired every 10-20+ years older than the characters are actually supposed to be.
*I LOVE KANATA HONGO but NOT as Envy. No no no no no no no not a good choice. Appearance wise; yes he fits Envy; he looks bratty, his skinny and he's somewhat short but the way he plays Envy and his voice; just no. You'd have better look getting a young actress to play Envy. Yes, I did just say actress. Especially because Envy is supposed to be GENDERFLUID!
*I really hate how heavily CGI'd Al's armour and Ed's arm and leg are. I don't understand why they didn't just build very realistic looking armour, have black cloth underneath so a stuntman/body-actor could wear it as Al and Yamada could've just wore the armour and kept every 100% realistic looking. It would've looked so much better with the CGI taken off. Japan is well-known for tokusatsu costumes and you could've easily gone 100% realistic with Al's armour and it would've looked GOOD.
*Not enough small jokes! I don't think we get enough shots with him standing next to or near other people in a wide shot and stuff for us to go 'OH HE SMOL!'.
*WHERE THE EFF IS SCAR?!?!!?! WHERE IS SCAR?!?!?!!? He's SO important in the story and you didn't bother to introduce him in the first movie?! His first few fights with Ed are AMAZING! WHY is he not here?! WHY is he not in the movie?!
*They revealed the ENTIRE soul army already?!?!?!!? That's not until like the LAST ten episodes of the anime!

In conclusion:
They should've just not bothered with this. I really think they should've left FMA as is; a manga and an anime. If they really wanted to LA-it up, they should've just gone the Stage/Theatre route... now the 2.5D Stage World would do FMA JUSTICE if they did it. Sigh... it's not good folks.

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Now before y'all get upset about my review. I went into this with high hopes as loads of people I know love and are obsessed with it and were so excited when a second season was announced. So, like the drama addict I am, I got curious and decided to watch it.

Now here comes the part that may make you sad.

Reasons for the Marks...

Story 5/10: I just didn't get it. The story wasn't that interesting, the situations were just petty and stupid. Not a lot of 'switch girl'ing was there which sucked, it had so much potetial of being hilarious while trying to hide her switch from everyone including Arata but saw it was her straight away - boring!
Acting/Cast 6/10: The main actress was SO annoying; in her voice, the way she spoke. Her crying annoyed me, she looked like a man (she seriously looks like a less attractive version Hamao Kyousuke). Her voice was odd and deep for a girl. No offence to her there was just something about her appearance I didn't like. Best parts of the cast were Kiriyama and Jinnai and that was all. And the topless Kiriyama and a cute and romantic, lovely worded Jinjin were the best scenes.
Music 5/10: I don't remember it so it's an average mark.
ReWatch Value 1/10: I have no intentions of watching again.

Overall: 5/10. Will watch second season though as it's neither a straight like nor dislike. Only going to watch SG2 for more Kiriyama and Jinnai

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I am gunna tell you straight up: I enjoyed this film way too much xD I can't help it! I love these types of films where people are locked in one place and being slaughtered! Anything like this or battle royale or incite mill (I could carry on!) I just devour and love these types of film!
There really is no plot except he kills cos he wants to. But by god it is great to see how messed up the school is and then see his personality unravel and so on.
It's a great film if you just want to enjoy a lot of violence, and like I said, films similar to this! (listed above).
It's got some great names/actors in this too and you get a glimpse into most students of the students lives.
And by god that ending!!!
It's been three years: WHERES MY SEQUEL!? xD
Bottom Line: Lacks in 'actual' plot but very enjoyable and I did laugh out loud now and again xD Particularly the PE teacher's moments.

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Story - It's a very simple set up; 7 people wake up in a room and have to decide who has the worst (if not the only) crime among them. But the feel of the movie and the stacks at hand are very Battle Royale/Death Park Game/I'd even say a little reminiscent of Saw (except this film definitely isn't bloody or horror porn!)

Acting - This mainly goes to Seto Koji; he once again proves himself as an outstanding actor. The rest I saw are okay to they did a satisfactory job.

Music - I didn't notice it =/ but must have helped with the atmosphere because I was so absorbed in what was going on.

O I'll defo watch this when I need to bing-watch Seto Koji or these types of killing/survival games xD
The ending was a bit odd but not too much to get mad at xD

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First things first: I cried like a baby every. single. episode! Seriously!
Firstly it has Kamenashi Kazuya in = amazing! Next, it's about Second-hand books stores = I love yours! It's also about love and family = you got me a winner!
Is it just as happy as it is sad. The story goes deep and touches a lot of topics which (if you're as hormonal as I am!) will touch your heart but all either warm it up or rip it apart!
The music adds even more emotion to it and it was great to see so many characters and members of family go through ups and downs.
This truly is a touching story with a solid cast, amazing music and all the heart you could ever wish for!
One of two of the best doramas I've seen so far this year!

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I have to say... I was mortified by this film.
Although kudos to their acting as it must have been challenging for all of them in different ways and must've taken balls to do a film like this. It really was close to the line labelled 'porn' when it came to the sex scenes *shivers* I was horrified sometimes at just intimate it was (I don't like watching stuff with intimate stuff in. I hate PDAs if that gives you a hint as to how much I hate seeing such things in front of me and on screen haha)
This film is just MESSED up - I spent most of the film with a 'what the fudge' face and that phrase coming outta my mouth because sometimes the things that happen are just seriously shocking and ridiculous! The main plot of the story is crappy like EVERYONE knows a career (especially in Entertainment) is limited so why make a 2 HOUR (yes over 2 HOURS) film about it. Just... no.
I have to say the ending was probably the strongest part of this film and the most interesting part too.

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I'm usually super critical when it comes to watching doramas but this one just gets a 9/10 from me just for how much it entertained me! This is very much an emotionally created review, so definitely don't take my review critically or anything.

This dorama DOES have problematic aspects; there's some rapey vibes and some scary pin down moments which feel rapey, Hasumi is presented as someone who seems to only be interested in sex in his relationship with Sumire, I personally dislike the whole 'you're my childhood crush and my crush on you never changed' plot, cheating is not okay etc.

BUT

I absolutely LOVED this dorama! (I haven't seen the 2003 version btw because of personal dislikes of certain actors)
I was SO invested in this series! I was emotionally involved, I loved all the characters, the developments were great, all the cute moments were just amazing! I cried A LOT at this dorama; happy and sad moments!
I thought JunJun (Shishon Jun)'s acting was absolutely flawless and incredible! I really liked his chemistry with Sumire and the main actress in general.
It was a very satisfying ending.
I just loved this! I was heart and soul invested! I had such fuzzy feels watching this. I actually enjoyed the frustration of 'how is she still so blind to her feelings for Momo?!'.
And the reactions it got from me was great; I was gasping or laughing or crying or just full of happiness every episode!
I'm definitely going to be rewatching this one in a few years time!

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Basically I freaking love this! I loved it the first time and I loved it this time around too! This drama is everything I want! Sexy actors, crazy plot, confusing questions, great action, I was even impressed by the camera shots in this! The only really why I've knocked it down to a 9 from 10 this time around is because A. I wanted so much more information! I want character backstories, sequels, more episodes etc. and B. That ending!! It's a freaking amazing ending but makes you go 'ah crap there's no sequel. It needs one!'. Luckily I have the book so maybe I can get more info from that in future.

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Story: Absolutely amazing. The mystery was great too! Kept me on my feet for episodes! However, my idea of what the mystery was, was a lot more corrupt than what it turned out to be xD It was funny, cute, suspenseful, interesting and heartbreaking! All the good things you want in a drama ^_^
Acting/Characters: The acting was flawless and I loved the characters so much! Especially Shin Se Gi, Anh Yo Na and Oh Ri On! Wish they'd had more screen time.
Music: That one sad song that kept playing = it's so beautiful and so meaningful and great!
ReWatch? I don't normally rewatch KDramas but I think I'll probs will watch this again in 5/6 years time =]

Why did it lose 2 marks on the rating? I have five reasons:
1. I was expecting it to be a lot more comedic, if not, comedy central.
2. I wish it'd been about 5 episodes longer so we could've spent more time with the other personalities. And it ended a bit rushed I think.
3. Too much crying! I swear Cha Do Hyun is cried every 5 minutes! I mean I can completely understand why and can 100% sympathize why and it's amazing how the actors could produce so many tears in one episode (congrats to their acting skills!) but it really was too much.
4. My idea of what the 'past incident' was, was a lot more corrupt and juicy in my mind and it would've really messed up Do Hyun-Ri Jin-Ri On's relationship big style!
5. The MC female annoyed me quite a lot. When she was crying hard I was trying so hard not to die of laughter at how pathetic she sounded. And her constantly red upper lip and lip shape annoyed me. << but that's me getting picky xD

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Story: To say this is from 2000 I was impressed with how not crappy the camera/shooting actually was! Didn't feel like 2000 at all until you say their mobile phones xD haha The story changed constantly in my opinion and something new went on every episode and it finally came together at the end. While the dorama was incredibly funny to me, there were times where I just wasn't interested in what the actually story was. The ending kinda ticked me off as well with everyone being 'suicidal'. I HATE what the story did to Shun's character though. Doramas now a days very much try to keep the sex topic quite but I liked how more open about sex this dorama was. It was refreshing and it was overly stated nor a constant theme or being spoken about.

Cast: Amazing, great cast. I was shocked to see Yamashita pop up and I have to say, his acting here is the best I've seen of him since... Nobuta wo Produce. So to me he was better at acting when he was younger compared to how he is now, but that could also be to do with the lame characters and doramas he does now... anyway, yeah loved the cast! Nagase Tomoya only seen him in My Boss, My Hero. Definitely plan to watch more of his stuff now! He looks good in a cop uniform too! haha Kubozuka Yosuke is another I've only seen one or two times and defo want to see more of! Sato Ryuta awesome as always and seriously hasn't changed in 13 years xD I normally see Takahashi Issei do quite everyday characters and I liked he was a hacker in this with a MASS of hair xD WAIT... Oguri Shun was in this?! o_O I do not remember =/ Tsumabuki Satoshi another I rarely see and plan to watch more of. I liked Watanabe Ken in this dorama also!

Characters: Where to start... Favourite characters: Makoto was cool and as the main character you gotta be interesting which he was and he has a nice stomach! Yokoyama - I love his corruption and the fact he doesn't play the 'good' cop that you seem to just see in doramas now these days, The King was AWESOME I think he was my favourite, crazy mother chucker! Kazunori was enjoyable when he popped up. Loved Shun and that he was quiet and has this side of him that was interesting even when quiet! Masa was adorable and fun! Yamai was interesting til he died his hair dark then the rest of the story he wasn't interesting. Characters I hated: Rika, glad she left the show early, and Hikaru - words can not express how much Hikaru annoyed me. I wanted to kill her and he VOICE was hella annoying! Shame the story didn't go the way I wanted with her, grrr...

Music: LOVED the opening theme. Loved Makoto's ringtone was awesome, I want it as a ringtone! The soundtrack was reminiscent of Wong Kar Wai's 1990's film music which I loved so naturally loved this soundtrack =]

Overall: I enjoyed it, sometimes didn't care about the story line and some parts of the story I really didn't like and had that one hella annoying character that I wanted dead from the moment I saw her. But besides that it's interesting, funny, great how the story comes together in the end, it does feel mysterious at times too! Now to watch the SP xD

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The film starts fairly enigmatic: who are these people, why are they there? And then slowly (over the first 20minutes or so) everything is explained and rules are in place. THIS is where it gets REAL interesting! Death, mysteries, twists, turns, torture, fighting, slightly romance, everything happens! Extremely intense! Especially when they go on patrolling while the GUARD is out as there is a risk of being killed and a romantic scene is thrown in and then nearly getting caught. These twists and turns happen all the way up to even the last MINUTE of the film!
I was actually hoping there'd be an intense romantic/sex scene between Yuki and Suwana.
I really did not like that GUARD; pretended to be fair but FUDGED them over o_O xD All the characters are individual and different but are able to relate somehow.
The last 10 minutes of the film is where it really picks up tension and speed but nevertheless, the rest is definitely a "gripping the sheets" and "on the edge of your seat" feelings. Sometimes jumping out of your skin too (I know I did!)
A small (film study) comment on cinematography (camera shots) very nice shots and I loved the angles on the close ups and the colouring in this film was great and the use of music and sound was extremely effective (especially the patrolling part!) so yeah overall EXTREMELY enjoyable, definately watch again and again and VERY tense! =D
Overall: AMAZING!
And after rewatching this for a second time last night, I stand by my original review but add one thing... Why didn't he give the money to the child?!

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Rule One: Forget the origins of Shingeki no Kyojin and just take this version for what it is. Once you're in that mindset, I think (just like me) you'll enjoy the second half a LOT more than the first movie!

Positives:

Once again the CGI!!
Also the soundtrack is great!
The action/choreography!
The Eren x Replacement-Levi gay vibes <3 holy crap they were flying all over the place!

Negatives:
Miura Haruma - I've never liked him so that's just me, he might be decent to other people for some reason xD
Shakey camera during action scenes -_-
The ending! OMG I cannot express my anger at this ending!!! And it definitely feels like they've left it open for a third film -__-

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Started Promising but Ultimately Falsely Advertised.

I enjoyed the first episode of this so much, so much so I immediately messages my friends and forced them to watch it too. The first few episode of this show are absolute gold and seeing Haru and Gaku's friendship build and grow was wonderful to enjoy. The fun rivalry with Kirihime had a great introduction too! But unfortunately, by episode 4/5 this show very quickly moved away from Haru&Gaku's friendship and development, and Haru&Gaku versus Kirihime in a "mutually respectuful rivalry that could very well turn into a great powerful friendship", and ended up being a "let's super rush through this company's growth progression on max speed in becoming a media giant" and by epispde 7 I was so incredibly disappointed and bored with this show.

To say Meme (Haru's actor) is the main person on the poster and is pushed as the protagonist, there have been whole episodes where he's only been in it for like 5 minutes - he's always working behind the scenes and especially in the beginning we never see what he's doing or where he is. He is hardly in it. Dear TV show runners: Don't push the show as a Meguro Ren show if his character is disappearing every episode for massive chunks of screentime.

And then they started pushing 2 "romance storylines" midway through episode 9 (the second to last episode!) which was so stupid - if they had introduced romantic feels from around episode 4, I would've supported both without complaint but suddenly pushing them in the second to last episode was awful.

I regret telling me friends the first episode was amazing and getting them to watch it.

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