Liar Game: Reborn (2012)

The thing that excites me about Liar Game is not only the puzzles, but the look and feel of the series as a whole. When Liar Game: Reborn started it was typical of the show. The kind, unassuming heroine discovers a box of money and an invitation to the game. This was expected. And our hero is reluctantly pulled into the games, seemingly against his will. This was also expected.

But once the players entered the playing field…That is when I sat up straighter, started to smile, munch happily on my overly buttered popcorn and get that excited feeling as if I am sitting in a theatre waiting for something good. Let the Games Begin! The game played in Reborn is intricate and will keep you entertained.

The cast of characters in the series are as quirky as ever. Mushroom Head and Gold Tooth both make appearances but most of the characters are new so it kept things fresh. The location is crazy. It looks like a really cool upscale techno nightclub that has been bombed and forgotten. The set design was awesome.

The execution of the game and plot was fun and entertaining. I love how smart Akiyama is when breaking down the game, forming alliances and figuring out his incredibly clever strategies. He is so cool in his plotting, so patient for the outcomes and totally badass when he needs to be.

The one thing that brought this film down a notch for me was indeed the absence of Kanzaki Nao. There was a chemistry between the lead actors and a relationship that developed between their characters that was lacking with this new pairing. There was a special dynamic from the series between Nao and Akiyama; his cynicism was attracted to her goodness. She softened his edges and that little touch made Liar Game a little more than just a drama about puzzles and ultimately enhanced the tension of the outcome. I felt the loss keenly. Matsuda Shota is a very solid actor and the rest of the cast does a great job...I simply missed Nao. I wish that wasn't the case.

The music was actually great. I liked the techno beats and some of the strange compositions that fit the mood and the tension of some scenes. As always, the theme playing when Akiyama enters the game was just as cool as his character. Loved it.

Overall, I totally recommend this film. It wasn’t perfect but it was a lot of fun.

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Okay, well, having watched the first Liar Game series and knowing that this was a "Reborn" sort of thing with a new cast, I didn't think I would ever watch this. Well, I ended up watching it anyway while I was on-board a plane. I have to say that the movie on its own is OK, but in comparison to the original series, it's quite a downer. I didn't feel the suspense, the movie was predictable, and Akiyama just wasn't as cool as he used to be(he was quite silly in fact). The movie does have some funny and interesting characters and the movie is watchable, but I know that I won't be watching it again. This was a one time, try it out kind of movie.

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