Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: TOKYO REVENGERS [Fantasia Film Festival 2021 - Virtual]
The aspect of how time travel works is a texture that can be worthy depending on the story. But as with most genre films, it depends on the way it is used. in "Tokyo Revengers", the approach is based within a gang/gangster story but done in a unique way. The film starts off one way but then shifts into an ideal of loyalty and consequence with the lead character using his knowledge to shift patterns of behavior while realizing his own shortcomings either by process of ego or simply his own transgressions or losses. As ever, the structure point however around the loss of a girl and how that undoes the lives of everyone around her is key. While this is a specific point, it is when the leaders of a gang (with style to boot) change the perception that it shifts the reality. It doesn't change who they are but shows their approach in life. Key points between these two characters of Mikey and Draken who are periphery a the beginning seems to give some soul to the proceedings despite the fight carnage going on around them.
Like "Back To The Future" without the technology, small changes in behavior or nuance in the scene mean a lot and this is where "Revengers", at many times, succeeds because it goes, at times, against the grain of a modern crime thriller by creating a more classical structure, A scene in a hallway with a father grieving for his daughter is one of the quieter moments in the film but the most telling. The traveler, in general, is the least interesting character in the film but he must come into recognition of his own demons, even though they are not life threatening yet it changes those around him. Hina, the girl in question, oblivious to her situation though her younger brother becomes enlightened, has a trueness to how she sees life which reflects again into the classical structure about how power is balanced and maintained before it gets out of control. The resolution plays to this in an expected structure yet still does feel fulfilling. B
By Tim Wassberg
