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Movies / On DVD / Returner
Returner

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Returner (2002)

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Reviews Counted:31

Fresh:11

Rotten:20

Average Rating:4.3/10

Rated: R [See Full Rating] for violence

Runtime: 1 hr 57 mins

Genre: Foreign Films

Theatrical Release:Oct 17, 2003 Limited

Synopsis: The "Returner," Miyamoto, acting on tip-offs from his clients, infiltrates deep into the recesses of the black market, steals big scores of nontraceable cash, then as quickly as he gets in, hands... The "Returner," Miyamoto, acting on tip-offs from his clients, infiltrates deep into the recesses of the black market, steals big scores of nontraceable cash, then as quickly as he gets in, hands the money on to his clients. He is unbeatable in combat but his past harbors a darkness; as a young orphan, his bosom buddy was murdered by persons unknown. While working as the "Returner" his heart is sworn to revenge and the quest for the murderers of his friend is never far from his mind. Yokohama, Bayside. On one of his trips to the underworld, he comes across a man who controls the entire black market. This is Mizoguchi, (Goro Kishitani), unforgettable to Miyamoto, as the man who killed his best friend. Boiling with fury, he lets loose his anger and takes on Mizoguchi. In the furious combat that follows, Mizoguchi manages to give Miyamoto the slip. As the smoke clears, it is apparent that Miyamoto has mistakenly shot an innocent young girl, mixed up in the crossfire. Fortunately, her life is not in danger and "Milly" as she is know, turns out to be a potential client looking to engage Miyamoto for a very special job indeed. "We've only got two days left. Something is going to happen to ruin the world as we know it. I've got to stop it. That's why I've journeyed here from the distant future." Surprised by her sudden outburst, Miyamoto doesn't know what to make of Milly. That is, until she demonstrates an inexplicable power brought with her from the future, right in front of his eyes. He chooses to listen to her and little by little comes to understand her story. Also, he begins to recognize something in her wild eyes that reminds him of himself and the pain of his own past. He takes it upon himself to protect this girl. In turn, Milly senses the decency behind Miyamoto's exterior and they start to bond. Now, with only days in which to turn certain despair into a future of hope, they set out on their quest. However, Mizoguchi, their arch-rival is moving one step ahead of them and lies in wait. Just what is it he plans? Miyamoto is sworn to revenge. Milly is committed to the future. These various threads come together in an unforeseeable way as events unfold with blinding speed and their three intertwined fates reveal the true meaning of "Returner." -- © Sony Pictures [More]

Starring: Takeshi Kaneshiro, Anne Suzuki, Goro Kishitani, Kirin Kiki

Starring: Takeshi Kaneshiro, Anne Suzuki, Goro Kishitani, Kirin Kiki, Akhiko Matsumoto

Director: Takashi Yamazaki

Director: Takashi Yamazaki
Screenwriter: Takashi Yamazaki, Kenya Hirata
Producer: Akfumi Takuma, Toru Horibe, Chikahiro Ando
Studio: Samuel Goldwyn Films

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Release:

Aug 19, 2003

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Reviews for Returner

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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating)
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Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
12/19/03
Empire Magazine

Hovering between Last Action Hero and E.T., this sci-fi extravaganza is bookended with violence but has some gentle moments in between.

Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | comment Comment
10/16/03
David Sterritt
David Sterritt
Christian Science Monitor

The real reason to see this film is the scrappy rapport between Kaneshiro and Suzuki. They are so good together, you won't know whether to cheer or cry.

Full Review Source: San Jose Mercury News | comment Comment
10/16/03
Glenn Lovell
Glenn Lovell
San Jose Mercury News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
05/14/03
Greg Muskewitz
Greg Muskewitz
eFilmCritic.com

Returner goes on far longer than such a derivative movie has a right to, but it maintains enough of a balance between its human elements and its propulsive action sequences to keep us going.

Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
10/16/03
Jan Stuart
Jan Stuart
Newsday
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Like all good B-movies, Returner comes loaded with enough eccentric touches to give the recycling a whiff of freshness.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
10/16/03
Manohla Dargis
Manohla Dargis
Los Angeles Times

With little room for new ideas, the film must rely on the strength of its actors, and they're excellent across the board.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
10/17/03
Peter Hartlaub
Peter Hartlaub
San Francisco Chronicle

Takashi Yamazaki doesn't have style as much as momentum, which keeps the film rolling right through the whiplash changes in tone from giddy cuteness and shameless sentimentality to brutal jabs of indiscriminate murder and mayhem.

Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer | comment Comment
10/17/03
Sean Axmaker
Sean Axmaker
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

An action packed picture with equal measures of sweetness and violence, like a delicious sweet-and-sour sauce, it's also quite funny. But, most of all, it's a lot of fun.

Full Review Source: Internet Reviews | comment Comment
10/08/03
Steve Rhodes
Steve Rhodes
Internet Reviews

This irresistibly over-the-top delight remains truly original in spite of its debt to an array of cinematic chestnuts.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
10/17/03
Ted Fry
Ted Fry
Seattle Times

Plays like a John Woo movie superimposed on a Terminator /Independence Day /Men in Black hybrid and infused with an anime heart.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
10/17/03
Wade Major
Wade Major
Boxoffice Magazine

No real reason to plug in here.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
10/17/03
E! Online

[It's] like Saturday morning kid programming of the damned with none of the campy charm that the genre can sometimes evoke

Full Review Source: Killer Movie Reviews | comment Comment
10/10/03
Andrea Chase
Andrea Chase
Killer Movie Reviews

While watching the movie, you may also feel like you've traveled back in time -- to the plots of any number of better films.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
10/16/03
Bruce Fretts
Bruce Fretts
Entertainment Weekly

Yes, apparently Yamazaki takes breaks from his repeated viewings of E.T. by relaxing with THE MATRIX. Occasionally, just for a bit of variety, he might also pop INDEPENDENCE DAY into the DVD player.

Full Review Source: AboutFilm.com | comment Comment
09/01/03
Carlo Cavagna
Carlo Cavagna
AboutFilm.com

Ransacking films like Independence Day for ideas is one thing. Restaging E.T. The Extraterrestrial, right down to the cuddly alien, is another matter entirely.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
10/22/03
Daniel Eagan
Daniel Eagan
Film Journal International

A fourth-generation Terminator hand-me-down.

Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly | comment Comment
10/22/03
David Chute
David Chute
L.A. Weekly

An action party for bored fifth graders.

Full Review Source: San Diego Union-Tribune | comment Comment
10/17/03
David Elliott
David Elliott
San Diego Union-Tribune

A watchable, if somewhat absurd, sci-fi stir fry.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
10/22/03
Don Willmott
Don Willmott
Filmcritic.com

Returner might work best if one could sub its soundtrack of r&b vamps and 'I've Got the Power'-style beats for a steady stream of MST3K chatter.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
10/14/03
Ed Park
Ed Park
Village Voice
 
 
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