City Hunter is a Japanese movie on Netflix directed by Yuichi Satoh and written by Tatsuro Mishima. It stars Ryohei Suzuki and Misato Morita.
Do you enjoy comedies that actually make you laugh? Yes, it sounds simple, straightforward, and pretty obvious, but they’re becoming increasingly rare. “City Hunter” stands out as one of those unique comedies crafted purely for entertainment, centered around a charismatic lead who’s somewhat of a superhero with a penchant for stripping and partying hard.
In the midst of his wild lifestyle, he finds himself on a mission to solve his friend’s murder.
Plot
Ryo Saeba, a private detective, spends his off-hours mingling in Kyoto’s clubs and flirting away. His life takes a dramatic turn when his partner is murdered, linking back to a drug that grants extraordinary physical strength to its users but at the cost of driving them utterly insane.
About the Movie
This film is a comedy through and through. Remember those 80s films like Beverly Hills Cop with Eddie Murphy? It carries a similar vibe but cranks up the comedic, ludicrous, and non-serious dial even further. “City Hunter” is a movie that flirts with the absurd, parodying the detective genre.
Our protagonist exudes charisma, and the film revolves around his “bad jokes” and foolish antics. He’s a bizarre mix of Batman, Philip Marlow, and a flirtatious cosplay enthusiast—imagine girls dressed as bunnies and the like. Add to this, mobsters, dangerous drugs, brawls, and loads of jokes and silliness.
You might enjoy “City Hunter” because it allows you to relax and simply sit back to relish in this nonsensical movie, or you might take a more neo-realist view and feel that such foolishness contributes nothing to humanity. Personally, I adore movies that don’t demand anything intellectually and are created with the pure intention of providing entertainment and fun, nothing more.
Ryo is a character you’ll either love or hate; there’s no middle ground. We find him incredibly appealing, pitying those who can’t see the unrefined humor behind a character that amalgamates so many cinematic icons.
Technically, it’s well-crafted with adequately lit scenes and some commendable shots. But make no mistake: it feels like a TV movie, with a TV pace and a TV plot. It’s forgettable as you watch it, but that doesn’t matter because no one’s watching this to figure out who the villain is. The joy comes from going with the flow and seeing what new absurdity befalls our protagonist and his new partner (the sister of his slain colleague).
Our Opinion
Sit down, enjoy, forget you were born with neurons, and ignore that the world might be witnessing its final moments. It’s worth unwinding with a brilliantly dumb movie of yesteryears, offering nothing but good times and laughter.
And, of course, the exceptional company of Ryo Saeba.
