Hell's Garden

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Humour layered at so many levels made this a treat from beginning to end. The scene where Onimaru, Akagi and the 3 lieutenants (all except the boss so plainly men) are in office uniform exchanging banalities before Ran bursts in - genius. Same for the slide presentation on the plaza. The concept of underworld gang fighting amongst the sexist world of corporate Japan, taking place in plain sight and the unveiling of the sub plots involving our heroins was so good. And the telephone answering classes for martial arts perfection. Brilliant. I could spoiler the plot by listing out the amazing and bizarre touches, but just watch this.

Funny how the IMDB summary refers to "office ladies are absorbed in the daily clique fighting", when it's actually all about real violence ( no guns though, just knives, sticks etc ). Yes. Who knew that the clerks & admin women from those glass/concrete skyscrapers had a gang thing going ? It's a typically bonkers Japanese concept ( thank goodness ) as a quiet young lady ( Mei Nagano, reminding me of Korean actress Chae Soo Bin ) watches as a formidable newcomer ( the fiercely alpha Alice Hirose ) lays waste to a bunch of rival groups. There's more + a surprise or 2, & I was entertained at all times, though I do wish the central idea was embraced more energetically with the sorts of animations etc that enhanced "Real Girl" & "Love Is War" so well. Nevertheless, it's cutely self-referential & definitely fun.

To enjoy this movie, first we must put our logic at the door. The plot was so comical and the fight scenes were so cartonish that this defines what guilty pleasure is. Even the bear was not CGI, but person in costume! But if you're into this kind of movie, then Hell's Garden is the one for you! Enjoy!

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