CONTAINS SPOILERS. I watched this on Culture Day here in Japan; this is currently the most popular Japanese language title at my local video shop here in Kyushu.I have to admit my own Japanese is still poor, but the film still won me over, though the start was particularly confusing.The story focuses on the misadventures of Busan and his friend in Kisarazu, a not particularly attractive coastal suburb of Tokyo.The Catseyes are the pop band the heroes form.The cast features well known talents from Japanese TV, including a top comedian and pop group. The surreal style reminded me at times of the Monty Python films, although in terms of its general themes perhaps comparisons with The Water Boys or The Commitments are more apt. It blends elements of Yakuza and Godzilla films, folk legend, an international love story and even has a resurrection motif towards the end.In the end I can't claim to understand it on an intellectual level without English subtitles but it delivers an emotional high. Worth a release in the west.

I watched this movie on the plane from Japan to Amsterdam and i enjoyed watching it. This is what the movie is about: "Bussan has just been told for the third time that he has six months to live. Sick of his inaccurate prognoses from his doctor, he decides to get on with his life"This is just the basic plot of the movie, the actual storyline is really bizarre. The movie uses a lot of "quentin style flashbacks" which come out very cool. The special effects have a anime feel to them and are made with an eye for detail.The comedyparts of the movie are sometimes hilarious and really really funny. But for the most part they're just entertaining. It stopped me from being bored on the plane and actually watched it twice :)I give this movie a 7/10