The Japanese live-action adaptation of City Hunter is pretty fun.

 

Few things have gotten as many adaptations that have missed the mark quite like City Hunter. From the Jackie Chan movie in 1993 to the 2018 French version with a 2011 Korean drama series in between. So far with the exception of the anime, the French had come closest to hitting the mark with their adaptation being preferred by many and until the 2024 Japanese effort had been regarded as the best so far. A Japanese live-action was way over due and I may be biased, but they tend to be the only adaptations that I can enjoy. 

Ryo Saeba works as a City Hunter alongside his partner, former police officer, Hideyuki Makimura. Together, the pair take on requests posted on a message board near Shinjuku Station. They take on various jobs such as acting as bodyguards, rescuing someone in need or even working as assassins, the duo work flawlessly as a tandem. One day, they take on a request to find a pretty popular cosplayer who has seemingly been kidnapped. This request was given to Saeba by a woman claiming to be the cosplayer's sister, and our protagonist is taken by her charms, agreeing with zero hesitation.

Shortly after the cosplayer flees from the pair, Hideyuki meets up with his sister, Kaori, whom he plans on finally telling the truth about her adoption. Just before he utters the truth, a man seemingly injected with a drug that enhances ones capabilities crashes into Hideyuki before stabbing him repeatedly and subsequently fleeing the scene. Kaori vows to investigate her brothers death and persistently pesters Ryo for his aid, who eventually agrees to help. The pair become tangled up in a dangerous situation involving a mysterious organisation known simply as The Union. 

Yuichi Sato is a very competent director with a plethora of experience and it showed in this adaptation of City Hunter. A dynamic array of various shot types, camera techniques, angles were used to tremendous effect in framing the narrative in a fun, visual spectacle. There's plenty of gorgeous wide angled shots with one coming within the first few minutes of the movie which also happens to be one of my personal favourite shots. It's a picturesque wide angle shot that establishes the setting, introduces Ryo Saeba and is just a very solid sweeping shot in general. There's some decent reaction shots, some rather hilarious due to coming within comedic moments and there's a fair usage of slow-mo, particularly prevalent within the action sequences such as when bullets are falling or shot. One standout slow-mo sequence is quite engaging with it happening in a busy club with the camera following the trajectory of a fired bullet that makes its' way through the crowd of club goers before hitting it's intended target. 

For the most part, the action sequences are pretty darn well choreographed and enjoyable to watch. There's a few fight scenes that involved a group of bad guys and the scenes surprised me. I expected there to be too many shots of people standing around, waiting their turn to engage, but instead the choreography smartly had the groups attack at least several at a time and with the others at least momentarily incapacitated. There's also a pretty well crafted fight sequence involving Ryo wearing a horse on his crotch, with him fighting a lady wearing a dominatrix outfit and wielding a whip, whilst he simultaneously dodges fire from a sniper. Inventive and fun to watch to say the least. The action is easy to follow with every punch, kick and grapple being almost perfectly framed and in focus near the centre of the screen at all times. Oh and I was also pleased with the fact that Kaori wasn't just able to jump in and take on men twice her size, something that would have taken me out of the movie if it had happened.

There are some flaws with a couple of the fight scenes however. One such flaw is a superhuman kick that sends a couple of dudes flying into the air in the first fight scene, which can be waved off as being a homage to the anime and manga. There's also a scene that got way too ridiculous and over the top for my tastes that happened towards the end with Ryo and to a lesser extent, Kaori, taking on dozens of Union guards. Ryo was pulling off stuff which wouldn't be possible in real life, including a big leap of epic proportion. 

Ryohei Suzuki is the best man to play Ryo Saeba. He has embodied the character like no other before him. It helps that he is allegedly a massive fan of the source material and was also known as the City Hunter encyclopaedia whilst filming the project. Suzuki is equally skilled in serious, intense drama and being badass at action as he is at physical comedy, his versatility being used to tremendous effect throughout the movie. The characterisation of Ryo Saeba includes his tendencies to drool over women, particularly those with bountiful assets and I'm glad that it was kept in. I have read online that some blue-haired land whales and ugly feminists were crying over his comedic perverseness being 'misogynistic'. I also read a Japan times article that claimed that Suzuki himself stated that the vital characteristic would be toned down for 'contemporary audiences' otherwise known as the 'modern audience'. I am glad that it wasn't as direly toned down as it could have been and that the ugly feminazis are screeching at it. They can move on and find something else to watch and maybe just maybe, have a little fun for once in their miserable existence. It's also telling that they don't also mention the fact that Suzuki gets practically naked during his Mokkori dance, funny that isn't it? Hypocrites. 

Misato Morita was pretty solid in the role of Kaori Makimura. She does an excellent job at being the persistent and yet out of her depth sister that wants to avenge her brothers death whilst also providing comedic moments by admonishing Ryo's perverted nature. Whilst it isn't used all that often, the massive hammer that she uses to bonk Ryo with in the manga does make an appearance, which was fun to see. The character is not quite the sound minded and practical individual seen in the manga, but this could be seen as he becoming that way, especially if there is ever a sequel. 

Fumino Kimura does a good job with what she's given, which isn't all that much. She suits the detective role really well, but she doesn't resemble the character of Saeko Nogami all that much. 

Asuka Hanamura also put in a pretty great performance as Kurumi/MILK. She nailed the emotional moments, showcasing her dramatic acting chops and also was able to pull off the adorable cosplay tremendously well. She looked cute in the cosplay outfits. 

Overall, whilst it's not perfect, I found City Hunter to be quite the enjoyable experience and worth watching. Ryohei Suzuki is at his best when in action roles, whether it be in Baragaki, Hentai Kamen, Kurou no Chi: Next Level or City Hunter and he is able to carry the movie on his back. I would absolutely recommend it to those who are familiar with the anime or manga, those who enjoy a fun action comedy or if you're a fan of Ryohei Suzuki like I am.