Terry McCombs This remarkably silly film is taken dead seriously by the performers in it which helps in getting though a film that seems to be two thirds soap opera potboiler, and one third live action anime.Anyway, it seems the authorities know they have only 3 days to stop a mass suicide at a high school by bomb and so of course do this not by closing the place down but instead by placing an untrained street urchin, with rad moves of course, undercover in the school in (she only agrees to do this so they'll let her mother out of lockup in American.) Armed only with a cell phone and a yo-yo, no really a yo-yo, and the occasional aid of the Colombo of Japan, she gets to the bottom of the whole affair.However don't expect too much yo-yo fu, in fact we have to wait until the last 20 minutes before there's any real yo-ing battles.Amusing if you don't expect too much from it

ebossert Warning: If someone reports an instance of "abuse" again where none is obviously present, than I will personally email the administrators here and ask them to suspend your IMDb account. And yes, they can find out who you are.A deadly yo yo throwing girl goes undercover at a high school in an attempt to stop a terrorist organization. The lead actress has the charisma, and time is spent developing some of the characters. The action is few and far between, but suddenly the pace explodes as the viewer is treated to a laudably creative schoolgirl yo yo duel to the death. A showdown between the yo yo girl and half a dozen heavily armed madmen quickly follows. The score (especially the theme song) is excellent. Finally a schoolgirl fight movie worth watching.To elaborate on my summary paragraph above, let's do a quick contrast between Sukeban Deka: Kodo Nemu Asamiya Saki (aka Yo Yo Girl Cop) with the much touted and highly overrated Hollywood epic 300. While they are two very different films in terms of storyline and setting, they are both firmly fixed within the encompassing genre of Action.That said, the action in Sukeban Deka is far superior to anything seen in 300 in terms of choreography. I never knew there were so many ways to use a steel yo yo to capacitate an enemy – straight shots, arm wraps, floor bounces, object manipulation, etc. 300 showed us nothing we haven't seen before in terms of choreography, because it focused (too much) on photographic tricks rather than on weapon movements, which makes the experience tiring and repetitive. Such repetition can be avoided in two fundamental ways: exceptional diversity of choreography (e.g., Tom Yum Goong) and situational excellence (e.g., Sky High). 300 has neither, but Sukeban Deka uses the latter, because the first 75 minutes are used to set up the 15 minute finale.Now, there's nothing particularly groundbreaking in terms of the general storyline or dramatic elements, but they do provide a series of effective anti-climaxes that taunt the viewer into doubting the existence of a grand finale. This is a good technique because when the showdown between the two schoolgirls finally makes its appearance, the excitement and intensity is enhanced due to the character interaction that preceded it. This makes for interesting comparisons to 300, which has almost no intensity whatsoever since antagonists are introduced mere seconds prior to getting slaughtered – which explains why critics get bored DURING the battle scenes in 300. A major "no no" for an action film.It took me two viewings to come to these conclusions, because Sukeban Deka provides a different type of action experience that may leave the viewer in a bit of shock after an initial viewing. The opening hour may seem weak at first, but is much better following a repeated watch because the viewer – now aware of the grand finale – can appreciate the build-up even more so. This is good stuff! I now wish to respond to some IMDb comments that I find grossly inaccurate. Jmaruyama points out some obvious references to American films (i.e., 007 opening credits, Silence of the Lambs restraining mask, etc.). However, this commenter makes a major mistake in claiming that the showdown "seems like a copy of the Bride's showdown with Go-Go Yubari in Kill Bill Vol. 1." Um, huh? The fight in Kill Bill involved a sword and a meteor hammer while the fight in Sukeban Deka involved two steel yo yos. How on God's green earth are these duel's even REMOTELY similar? The only possible similarity is that a yo yo and a meteor hammer are marginally alike in structure – a blunt object at the end of a line – which means that the characters must swing or sling them in vaguely similar ways. Other than that, there is absolutely NOTHING comparable between the two scenes, so the claim that Sukeban Deka copied from Kill Bill is unwarranted. And considering how this film is a spin-off of other Sukeban Deka movies made in the 1980s makes the assertion even more ludicrous.Oobleckboy criticizes the action unsuccessfully by pointing out that the scenes are "too infrequent", but he doesn't seem to understand the concept of build-up and intensity detailed above, which more than adequately explains the infrequency of the action as a positive element. He complains that the schoolgirls are too "thin and soft", apparently expecting some butch, 200-pound lady body-builders instead. Let me go out on a limb and say that such casting would have been a really bad idea. He then claims that the editing was "quick and choppy", but he provides no specifics as to what he's referring to. I never found the editing to be overtly choppy because the timing of the cuts were all logical in that they enhanced the action. I suppose that Oobleckboy expects Japanese actresses to be able to kill someone with a yo yo at 30 yards or throw a bladed yo yo so perfectly that it barely grazes the other actress's cheek. For the rest of us who live in the real world, such cuts are expected.Make no mistake about it. Sukeban Deka requires a suspension of belief, but that's one of the reasons it's such a fun experience - another being the outrageous, over-the-top, and frequently cheesy premise. You may need to exercise a bit of patience for the first hour because the action is laid on thick and heavy at the very end, but I highly suggest you give this one a shot considering the currently pathetic state of American cinema.

poikkeus The first Subekan Deka in over ten years updates the special effects and boosts the star power to make for a pleasantly watchable entertainment that excels in its social conscience. Former Deka entries, whether drawn or dramatized, have taken the usual hero vs. super- villain route, making them seem tired even before they've left the gate. In addition, they suffered from the basic limitations of the special effects at that time; the manga-inspired concept of razor yo-yos and killer cranes seemed less than convincing in a martial arts film. As the series progressed, the plots became almost as silly as the James Bond films of the period.In Kodo Nemo - Asamiya Saki, director Kenta Fukasaku (Battle Royale 2) modernizes he action sequences and frames the story to reflect contemporary social realities - in particular, the prevalence of bullying in the Japanese school system. It comes to focus when an underground internet site counts down, and a teenage undercover agent - code-named Saki Asamiya - tries to uncover the mystery before it's too late. As Idol Aya Matsuura is a good pick for the lead role, beautiful but tough in the tradition of the series (and a much better singer than any of the girls who preceded her). Matsuura is dynamic though (like former deka girls) lacking in a certain humor. The standout villain, played by Morning Musume alumnus Rika Ishikawa, is sexy in her faux-leather action outfit - a complete surprise. The normally demure Ishikawa is clearly having fun in her over-the-top role, and you wish she could appear more often.The film could have used more hard-edged humor - something that Fukasaku might learn from the work of his latefather, the late Kinji Fukusaku. Also, the film's plot makes a high ratio of characters irritatingly geeky and impossibly suicidal. But these flaws are tolerable in the anticipation of a possible sequel, either on film or serial. Certainly there's enough talent in Upfront Management to cast several film projects. Aibon would be amusing in some suitably smoky role, Miki perfect as a villain, and Eri could be on hand for comic relief.

jmaruyama When popular Hello! Project (Jpop) idol Matsuura Aya (Ayaya) was first announced as the new "Sukeban Deka" in Fukasaku Kenta's big budget movie adaptation of the popular 80's TV crime drama, I had my serious doubts. I thought that the pixie faced Aya was just too "girlie" to portray the tough talking, rough and tumble schoolgirl cop. I am happy to report that my fears were unwarranted and that Matsuura Aya proved to be a worthy successor to the role, following successfully in the footsteps of her predecessors Asaka Yui, Minamino Yoko and the always fetching Saito Yuki. "Sukeban Deka: Codename = Asamiya Saki" is a fun movie which manages to stay true to the original TV series and at the same time update the character for current audiences. There is a lot to like about the movie - from the Maurice Binder 007 inspired opening credits to the finale showdown between Saki and renegade "Tokumei Keiji" (Special Detective) Akiyama Reika, played with sheer camp by Vyuden idol Ishikawa Reika. Yet some may be turned off by all the "rip offs" Fukasaku seemed to have taken from other movies and popular entertainment. The haunting music more than echoes "Silence of the Lambs" with Fukasaku going so far as to introduce Saki a la Hannibal Lecter, complete with a straight jacket and restraining mask. There is also the "dooms day" clock countdown which seems to be in imitation to the series "24". Even the fore-mentioned showdown with Reika seems like a copy of the Bride's showdown with Go-Go Yubari in "Kill Bill Vol. 1". Fukasaku even takes elements from his own "Battle Royale II" with the use of "human bombs" and youth terrorists. Yet these elements add to the mayhem and madness of the film. While very much more darker than the TV series and the 80's movies, the film also has some funny moments such as Saki's first attempt to use her trademark steel "Yo-yo". Aya fans will definitely cheer at the sight of her in a skin-tight "battle suit" in the finale. The movie isn't perfect however as there are frequent disjointed subplots that don't seem to lead anywhere and needless introductions of boring secondary characters. Takeuchi Riki is great as Saki's gruff handler Kira Kazutoshi and Sukeban Deka #1, Saito Yuki also makes a surprise cameo as Saki's mother in a bit of fan boy casting. All-in-all the movie is great "retro" entertainment and does a good job at introducing new audiences to this cool character as well as giving fans of the 80s TV show something to cheer about. Probably the best of the "Sukeban Deka" movies, which isn't a major accomplishment.