Is the live-action Chainsaw Man movie worth watching?

While the movie has its moments, I'd say it's a mixed bag. If you're a die-hard fan of the series, you might find some redeeming qualities, but for casual viewers, I'd recommend approaching with caution.

What are the movie's strengths and weaknesses?

The movie's strengths include its stunning visuals, catchy soundtrack, and thought-provoking themes. However, it falls short in terms of development, storyline, and execution.

Is the movie faithful to the original manga?

Unfortunately, the movie fails to capture the absurdity and gore of the manga, feeling like a watered-down version of the original.

Is the movie suitable for all audiences?

No, the movie contains mature themes, violence, and gore, making it unsuitable for younger viewers.

What are the movie's themes and messages?

The movie explores themes of power, identity, and the consequences of one's actions. However, these themes are not executed in a way that feels authentic or impactful.

Is the movie worth the hype?

I'd say it's a mixed bag. While the movie has its moments, it falls short of expectations in many areas.

Can I expect a sequel or continuation of the story?

Unfortunately, the movie's poor continuation of the manga suggests that there may not be a sequel or continuation of the story.

Is the movie worth watching for fans of the series?

If you're a die-hard fan of the series, you might find some redeeming qualities, but I'd say it's not a must-watch.

What's the movie's value for money?

Honestly, I'm not sure if the movie is worth the price of admission. While it has some redeeming qualities, it falls short in many areas.

Chainsaw Man Live-Action Movie Review: A Visually Stunning but Disappointing Ride

A Disappointing but Entertaining Ride: The Live-Action Chainsaw Man Movie

I'll be the first to admit it: I'm not exactly an anime aficionado. When it comes to choosing between a blockbuster like Zootopia and a relatively unknown Japanese anime, I'll take the latter every time.

I went to see Re:Zero out of curiosity and the chance to see Benzochela on the big screen. While it wasn't worth the $300 I spent on the ticket, I don't regret it either. The other four people in the theater seemed to feel the same way.

The Man of Benzopila had his chance in the spotlight, but it's clear he missed it. I think the reason for this is the long hiatus and production struggles, as well as the almost complete lack of news for the past three years since the series' release. To be honest, I've only glanced at the continuation of the manga since my review on the manga, and in two words: it's bad.

What I loved about the first part of the manga was completely absent in the second part. It's just a snooze fest with no redeeming qualities. The absurdity and gore can't even lift the dull storyline. Denji, who showed some potential in the first part, took a major step back in the second. He's become even more annoying than at the beginning of the story.

At first, I felt bad for Denji because of his situation, but in the second part, he's just your average, run-of-the-mill hero. To be honest, it's a letdown.

But today, we're not here to talk about the manga or its terrible sequel. We're here to discuss the live-action Chainsaw Man movie.

In my review of the manga, I barely touched on its story arcs, but now I'll say this: Reze's arc was almost as enjoyable as Akari's. The desperation in her story really resonated with me. I mean, there's something about giving a poor, starving character a sweet treat only to take it away and beat them up that just feels so real.

I have to admit, after reading the manga, I was still rooting for Reze during the movie. I think she's a much better fit for the main character than this, let's call her, 'villain' Makima.

To be honest, I mostly enjoyed the movie, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that Fujimoto had lost steam. He should have wrapped up the story of the Chainsaw Man in the first part of the manga. The second part, which exposes all the flaws of the first, has really soured my impression of the whole story.

I'm still left in the dark about the setup. If Denji was supposed to be this unique demon, a symbiote, then why do we see two more just like him? How were they created? Why not make more if they can be made in a lab? And while we're at it, why does the demon-tornado take orders from and fear the demon Bomb? That's not explained either. If they're on the same mission, why didn't they work together from the start? Was it just for the dramatic kill scene and that Russian song? Or was it just a plot twist?

To be honest, there are enough logical and plot holes in just this arc alone. What's even more astonishing is that this is just part of the first half of the story. Let's just leave it at that.

What I do like, though, is the cinematic quality. Fujimoto's still a genius when it comes to that. Even if the manga looks more like a storyboard, it's still visually appealing from an exposition standpoint.

The author knows how to make a frame epic and pleasing to the eye. I'm starting to think Fujimoto always had a film in mind, not a manga.

So, on a big screen, it looks like a solid action flick in the old-school style. There are explosions, a ruined city, and heroes who lose body parts, but they just pick themselves up, wrap their wounds, and keep fighting. It's basically this 'absurd epic' in the style of a tough-as-nails or '90s teen movie.

Again, a nod to the Asylum movies, with that sharknado vibe. As far as I remember, this chapter was actually called that in the original.

And, yeah, Rez's rain song looks great. The spider and moth in the web allusions also look pretty cool - until they both bite the dust.

Yeah, we get it, the spider got caught in its own trap - very deep and 'symbolic', Fujimoto, thanks for that.

Honestly, it's a shallow portrayal, but it's nice to see, I guess.

I have to say, Reze and Denji's relationship develops a lot faster in just a couple of days than it did with Makima the whole time.

The whole movie date scene with Makima felt more like a way to show Denji's character than their actual relationship.

After watching the Denji movies, he starts questioning if he has a heart - in terms of emotions and attachments - but after talking to Makima, he decides he does, because he loves her. It's a decent way to reveal the main character's personality through their relationships with others, if only everyone, including some of the other characters, could see beyond Makima's facade.

The thing is, Denji's infatuation with Makima looks forced from the start – not that I'm judging the author, since that's exactly what the story demands. So, it's no surprise that Denji's already moved on to a new crush just a day in.

And, I'll give Denji some credit – at least he's trying to keep himself in check and reminding himself of Makima. But one look at Reze in the pool and that's out the window. Makima's gone, and I'm not sure where she's headed.

Now, looking at what's happening not just in the movie, but in the first season of the anime, Denji and Makima only had maybe two or three romantic interactions. And in most of them, Makima was more like answering questions and guiding Denji on the right path, explaining life's basic truths. Or setting conditions for him. So, she was always in the role of the 'mom', 'boss', someone who's above him in both social and intellectual hierarchy.

Meanwhile, Rize showed genuine empathy and concern for Denji. Even with a selfish undertone, I'm certain she genuinely worried about Denji not going to school. I even think she genuinely laughed at his jokes. Because Rize and Denji are so similar from the start. Yeah, Rize may not have lived in poverty and didn't sell eggs to pay off her parents' debt. We're not told much about her life, but from hints, it's clear she didn't have a 'happy childhood' like Denji.

Yeah, she does teach Denji how to swim, but she doesn't come across as a 'mentor', she's just a friend genuinely happy to help. Rize and Denji are on the same level. Rize doesn't tower above the hero, baby-sit him, or set conditions for him. I'd even say this is the first time Denji has healthy relationships with a girl.

Well, if it wasn't for their first kiss...

Fujimoto must have thought it was a great idea to have all the girls the main character meets try to kill him. He even says it out loud, quoting the main character's thoughts. And knowing what's coming in the second part of the manga, things aren't going to change. I'm not sure if it's some deep, underlying theme advising young guys to steer clear of pretty girls, or if the author just thought it'd be funny (I'm pretty sure it's the latter). But it was during the Reze arc that I actually started feeling sorry for the main character.

Because, just like the main character, I really liked Reze. I enjoyed their interactions, her teasing, their conversations. They look cute together, and after the Reze arc, you'll definitely hate Makima even more (I don't believe anyone actually liked her before).

The finale, as usual, leaves you feeling hopeless and unsatisfied. But you have to remember that this is a filler movie between anime seasons. What we saw in the movie isn't the actual finale of the story, so that feeling of being left hanging is totally normal.

The real finale will only be seen in the second season of the anime, and honestly, I'm hoping that's where it ends and the creators don't go on to churn out more anime based on the second part of the manga.

I also couldn't help but mention the arc between Angel and Akira. To be honest, based on my memories of the manga, their relationship seemed deeper. But maybe my not-so-traditional imagination (and I'm judging myself for that) filled in the gaps that weren't there. Or maybe the film just didn't give them as much attention. Either way, it was sweet.

The conversation between the field mouse and the city mouse, which Akira and Angel have alongside Denji and Rize, gives us a chance to see how the new characters react to what's happening. Angel and Rize are tired and crave emotional security over material possessions, whereas Denji, as we know, is mainly driven by material goals.

This is an interesting move. If we ignore the fact that it's completely unclear why Akira and Angel, who are at odds with each other, suddenly decided to have a heart-to-heart about field mice.

I've gotta say, these moments make me think Fujimoto likes using cinematic clichés in their stories, but they don't quite get how to integrate them properly. As a result, we get a visually stunning film with some great action scenes, but a pretty empty and disappointing storyline.

Despite all that, Benzochela is still an entertaining ride. It's not a movie that'll leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, and it's not a heartwarming tale of redemption. It's more like a fun, action-packed thrill ride that's all about providing a good time in the moment. It's like going on a Ferris wheel – you might not remember it for years to come, but you'll definitely get a kick out of it while it's happening.

So, I'd definitely recommend checking it out. If you're a fan of lighthearted, over-the-top action movies and thrillers, you'll love this one. You'll have plenty to discuss with your friends afterwards (if you have any, that is, given your taste in movies). And as a quick dopamine fix, it gets the job done.

Overall, I'd give this movie 3.5 out of 5 stars. It's not a perfect film, but it's definitely an enjoyable one. If you're a fan of the manga or just looking for a fun, action-packed movie, then Benzochela is definitely worth checking out.

Just don't go in expecting a deep, meaningful story. That's not what this movie is about. It's about providing a good time, and in that regard, it succeeds.