Kamikaze Girls

Add a dash of Tarintino styled narrative, a bit of comedy and the fruitiness of 'But I'm a Cheerleader' and you'll end up with something like Kamikaze Girls. (Probably!)

Kamikaze Girls

Age Rating: 15+
Company: HK Bootleg
Genre: Lolita Girl meets Biker Punk Girl
Running Time: Approx 102 mins
Region: 3



Judging by the title, you think that this would be about a group of girls trying to kill themselves! Sadly not so, because this film is the complete opposite surprisingly! An eccentric Japanese comedy/drama about friendship and coming of age.

The tale starts off with Momoko, a 17 year old senior high school student who loves nothing better than to dress up - of course like any good Japanese 'cosplayer' in a Lolita styled outfit. She imagines herself to be in the Roroco period of 17th century Versailles and wants to live exactly like it, so her lifestyle is based on the hedonistic nature in this history period.
Her father is a washed up useless Yakuza member, who sells off counterfeit clothes to make ends meet. Momoko wants a new dress for her ever growing collection - but no cash=no dress *gasp*
However she devises a plan to sell off her father's counterfeit 'Verc*hi'
and 'Univers*l* labels (bleeped out hilariously on the film) and puts it in the 'yellow pages.' There, she encounters fateful meeting with biker-chick Ichiko.



Ichiko, part of a tough all-girl motorbike gang named the 'Ponytails' was looking for cheap clothes and meets Momoko. Then she decides to punch, spit and headbutt her way through for some Yanki counterfeit clothes (that's chavtastic to you and me)! In the end, the two polar opposites form an unlikely freindship as they make their way to Tokyo on an adventure.
This adventure takes shape going to Momoko's favourite clothes shop called 'Baby, The Stars Shine Bright' and meeting her God. A raid through a Pachinko parlour, looking for the legendary embroider named Emma and Ichiko's life story of how she was once Ichigo. ;) Yes you can all see where this love-hate friendship goes, it's so lovingly cheesy but you want it to end that way!



It's all very bizarre and surreal! Do you want a cabbage as your friend? The toungue-in-cheek humour is way over the top, and the camera angles are great! The world of Momoko is colourful with even the background is alive with texture.
I liked the soundtrack as well, it was a blend of classical, pop and rock depending on the situation. Yoko Kanno did some tracks as well, it reminded me of how a good teen-flick should be done!

Pros
+ A charmingly 'different' film
+ Great humour
+ It has a heart
+ The cheesy soundtrack!

Cons
- Very predictable
- The plot is a bit thin
- I wanted m0r3!

Overall: 8.5/10

It's a must-buy for all those who enjoy something a little different!