Fish Story: CR #24

This movie is one I've been dying to see for over three years now. I first heard about this movie through Spill.com's coverage of "Fantastic Fest" in either 2009 or '10. It was a Japanese movie with an inventive plot and garnered tons of praise from moviegoers. Yet, it was said it would probably never get an official release in America, at least not a big one. So I gave up hope of ever seeing it, but I never forgot the film itself. Cut to a few days ago and I was looking through Neftflix streaming, went I come across that movie. My eyes lit up, I didn't hesitate and started the movie. What was this movie you might ask? This movie is...

PLOT
In the year 2012, a comet is coming to Earth. It's said that this comet will create a massive tsunami that well flood the world, and even if you survive that, you'll die in the Ice Age. So it's basically the end of the world. One man is wondering around his evacuated town and sees that a record store is open. When he asks the owner about why he's open on this day, he says that the comet won't hit. Why? Because an obscure punk Japanese song titled "Fish Story" is going to save the world. We then travel through time and see 4 different stories that are all somehow connected to and through this song.


PROS
All four stories are interesting. While you won't know how they're all connected until the end of the film, you still enjoy the stories. I feel that anyone of the stories could be turned into great short films and can be enjoyed on their own.

The film plays with many different tones and plays with them well. It never feels off or wired, it all makes sense and fits well together.

The way these stories connect is one of the most creative and awesome thing I've ever seen. It so cool how they reveal it that it'll leave your jaw firmly on the floor.


CONS
Mostly nitpicks that seem minuscule when compared to film as a whole.



CONCLUSION
This is a fun, dramatic, funny, action-packed, music filled adventure that I'll probably watch again and again. With such a unique premise, and four engaging stories that I won't dare spoil here, "Fish Story" is a must see for anyone who can read subtitles and has Netflix streaming.


RATING
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