Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo (2009)
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Critic Reviews for Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo
All Critics (33) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (30) | Rotten (3)
No, not a Toho creature feature, but a diverting, slightly meandering, mini- DV-shot documentary on the Japanese love for insects.
An oddball documentary that strives to capture the essence of an entire culture through one preoccupation: insects.
Beetle Queen does a wonderful job of showing the connection between things like Zen gardens, bonsai trees and the love of watching insects move in a small habitat.
This lyrical, meditative effort about the Japanese obsession for bugs of all kinds examines the subject from a deeply philosophical, historical and sociological perspective.
A parade of loosely, lyrically related scenes and images imbues the film with a wonder worthy of its subjects.
Quietly spellbinding.
Audience Reviews for Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo
Similar to the way that people collect coins or playing cards, the Japanese love to collect beetles of all different shapes and sizes. Some are quite ornate and lovely to look at it but I find it hard not to think that every beetle in the country has to have been captured to meet the high demand.
Super Reviewer
As anecdotal, reductive, and repetitive a documentary that "Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo" sometimes is(although you have to love that title), at the same time, there is a fine sentiment buried here about respecting nature, using Japan's blend of Shinto and Buddhist philosophy as a model. According to the documentary, this is why insects(even the creepiest and ickiest of them) are so widely accepted there. So much so, that the songs of crickets are enormously popular and an entrepreneur buys a Ferrari solely from the profits from capturing beetles for stores. Except it does not tell the whole story and is a prime example why bringing up the idea of national identity is to say the least, wrong. If you don't believe me, check out "The Cove" about how some Japanese fishermen have a total lack of respect for nature. So which picture is right? Both? Neither? Just remember that this is a complex world we live in.
Super Reviewer
Artistically this film works on all levels, information wise is another story. The film is about how the Japanese culture is obsessed with insects, but the Doc. never dives into why. I went into this film expecting those questions to be answered, but instead it is full of beautiful imagery and transience music. I loved that part about this film, but I was expecting something else. It would have been nice to get some information, but as long as you know what you going into you should enjoy yourself.
Super Reviewer
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