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Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

A Disappointing Continuation

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Not boring to me and not empty, but disappointing. Why?1) Flashing images of Yakuza "dream sequence" - it spoils the atmosphere and is simply tense and harmful for the eyes of the viewer. Come on, Miike, it's not "Koroshiya 1". 2) Violence that takes place from time to time - it's out of place. In "Rainy Dog" it's fine, but not here. 3) Unfunny funny stuff. A van falling apart is something too hackneyed (cf. Takeshi Kitano comedies, American cinema & cartoons) to be funny, while it's often mentioned as the "peak" of this comedy. 4) Too little of actual flying. If it's supposed that the kids can fly in that distant area, show some footage, at least from distance (if you have a very limited budget). Not just a few seconds of that before the final credits. 5) The connection with the real world (the poem-ballad taken from the history and the war plane that had crashed into the pond) is destroying the eerie feel of the production - would prefer the verse created specifically for this movie and the connection to the wild nature (why not actual birds?), not to the downed plane of the WWI or WWII times.It's got to be tweaked to become an excellent movie: more nature, less quirky violence, more funny and natural jokes, and more actual flying. To my view, Japanese "Dreams" & "Dolls" and Russian "Stalker" surpass this one in every aspect, while dealing with similar topics.A 5 out of 10 - a good but mediocre try. Thanks for attention.

One of Takashi Miike's best works, The Bird People in China is also one of his lesser known films. A strange concoction of the real and the imaginary, of travel and adventure, of beliefs and morals, of civilization and memories, this is a tight-rope act which could have fallen flat in the hands of an inferior filmmaker. The story is of two Japanese, a wide-eyed young man and a battle-scarred yakuza, who go in search of a precious stone in China. They are guided by Shen, a Chinese interpreter who very quickly makes this a trio in adventure. What follows is a quirky mix of comedy, fantasy and a fascinating touch of sadness. This film, more than any other, demonstrates the value of Miike to modern film history.

One of the most underrated movies directed by Takashi Miike. It's a poetic art-house production, which focuses on the most covert aspects of the human psyche, evaluating the dream-like realm of our minds. A Tokyo-based salary-man is sent to the most remote place in China (where no information goes in or goes out) on a mysterious mission to follow a precious Jade Jewell trail. Along with him comes a fierce Yakuza enforcer. While the two men arrive in a strange village, they discover more than they really bargained for. It's an adventure of the most inscrutable kind, showing how the frightening unknown can change the way we perceive our world. It's also about the far-reaching changes that people go through when they're suddenly placed in front of some strange and unparalleled new sensations, frequently resulting in some unexpected alterations of our every-day lives. The thought-provoking tale about men flying on colossal wings gives the film a much needed sense of surrealism, merging what's real and what's beyond human control.With a contemplative storyline, mesmerizing and fascinating imagery, audacious and sinister sense of humor, and a most haunting song you'll ever hear, The Bird People in China comes both as a very strong position in Takashi Miike's directorial career and as a perfectly satisfying and detailed exploration of human emotions.

A businessman is sent to a remote village to investigate a jade mine. He's joined by a debt-collect Yakuza. But what they find is much more valuable. I can't really go into any more detail though. Partly because I don't wish to spoil one single moment of the magic or wander of this great film and partly because even if I were to go into detail my mere words wouldn't do it justice. The is a film you have to watch, nay, experience for yourself. Do NOT go into it expecting over-the-top violence, graphic deviant sexuality, or any of the other ingredients of more well known Takashi Miike films as this is more than that MUCH more. One of, if not THE best film in Miike's quite impressive extensive cannon.My Grade: A DVD Extras: Commentary by Miike expert, Tom Mes; Takashi Miike interview; Bio/Filmagraphies; Promotional material; Annie Laurie bio and poem; Theatrical Trailer; Trailers for "Shinjoku Triad Society", "Rainy Dog", and "Ley Lines"