Fantasia '19 Film Review - Fly Me To Saitama

City vs Suburb rivalries is a topic that is universal with those in the city always boasting that they are superior. They have cultural, marquee events, financial centres, and everything is walking distance or a short trip on transit while Suburbia claims to have safety, more livable space and the expansive shopping malls. The divide is elevated to the highest level here in Hideki Takeuchi's adaptation of an 80"s Manga by Mineo Maya.

Its the hottest day of the year in Kumagaya, Saitama known as the warmest in place in Japan. Aimi is headed to Tokyo for her engagement party driven by her dad (Brother Tom) and mom (Kumiko Aso).Aimi is happy that her fiancée is well to do and living in Tokyo where she has dreamed of living all of her life. Her puts downs of Saitama anger her father who stops the car vowing to return home. Mom calms the situation switching on radio program broadcast of a fantasy tale about Saitama rising up to overthrow Tokyo oppressors.  Over the rest of their drive into Tokyo, the family listens to the broadcast becoming more invested in the story as it advances.

Set in the 80's visas are required to enter into Tokyo. All of the prefectures are ranked with Saitama being at the bottom. At the prestigious Hakuhodo school, Momomi (Fumi Nikaido) who's dad Kenzo (Akira Nakao) is the Governor is President. Momomi's fiefdom is challenged and toppled by Rei Asami (Gackt) who has schooled in America but is a Saitama plant. After a shared kiss Momomi is willing to follow Rei anywhere becoming his partner in the quest to abolish the visa requirement and grant Saitama dignity, inclusion, and status.

Takeuchi plays on the neighbourly rivalries to the extreme in the film. Saitama's closest rival Chiba looks down on the former because they have no access to the sea. Their liberation front soldiers employ a unique form of torture; stuffing the captives every orifice with peanuts. Gunma prefecture is made out to be a prehistoric Jurassic Park like place to keep the public away from a critical secret hidden there.

Fly Me to Saitama is a wild tale that rides to the edge of absurd but never crosses the line. Fumi Nikaido as Momomi and Gackt as Rei play it straight adding strength to the material. The film's flipping back and forth from the fantasy to the Sagawaras drive into Tokyo and commentary on the events unfolding in the play works to build anticipation, interest and emotional investment of the audience. The narrative includes nods every type of rebel alliance from Samurai legends, to Braveheart to Star Wars. It's a funny, entertaining, and joyful time in the theatre that I can highly recommend.

**** Out of 4.

Fly Me to Saitama | Hideki Takeuchi | Japan | 2019 | 107 Minutes.

Tags: Rivalry, Revolution, Engagement, Radio Play, Satiama, Chiba, Tokyo,Visa, Peanuts, War, Alliance.