Tokyo Ghould: Less than manga, entertaining nonetheless

 I'm been waiting for Tokyo Ghoul since the announcement months back and the trailer was amazing. Did the movie live up to expectation? For any adaptation there is bound to be comparison to the original work. 

While original manga had average visual (I prefer Tokyo Ghoul :re), the story was immerse with multiple layers of depth. It s not the usual type of shonen story. The good news is, the movie follow rather closely to the manga, especially the front half, took some liberty with the sequence in the later half so it will fit nicely into 120 minutes. 

The story revolve Kaneki who during a date was injured by a man eating creature called ghoul. Mortally injured,  he was transplanted with organs of the said ghoul unknowingly and ended up being half ghoul himself. The problem, despite given extra human strength and healing, ghouls can only survive on human flesh rendering them hunted by the government. The first bulk of movie focus on Kaneki's struggle of accepting hs ghoul side.  This is where the movie shine.  The spot-on portrayal by Kubota depcit accurately the struggle of discovering the monster within,  hating of what you have become,  and not able to do what other normal human do, for example eat normally.  The cries and tears is really heart wrenching.  He is later taken in by group of ghoul who work in a coffee shop, as they believe peaceful coexistence with humans.

Any observant viewer could see the resemblance with Xmen world. Gifted people who did not choose to be who they are.  Human shun them for their difference.  Protaganoist enlisted to group of peaceful outcast who believe peaceful coexistence.  Simply uncanny resemblance.  But here Tokyo Ghoul excel in realism.  The emotion was demonstrated way early in the story.  The movie had us rooted to the ghoul side despite the cannibalism but compare to the manga series,  it is much complex than that. The lingering ethical sociology commentary on both ghouls and human caught in a unfortunate war started by mother nature. No one is the actual villain,  just victims of circumstances. The casting was perfect.  The script is well paced,  as expected from any Japanese movie.  Do not expect action from start to end as Tokyo Ghoul is an emotional film more than action.  The problem cones to action sequence.  By today standard,  it is poor.the action is obviously computer generated and lack realsim.  The other flaw of the movie lies in the climax.  In the manga Kaneki's maiden major battle was woven smoothly to the story but here due to simpifying the story,  the evolution of his character felt too forced.  Its a pity that they took enough time to develop his character earlier in the movie. 

While fans of the series may appreciate more, the movie ended up being another manga adaptation. It is still good, entertaining, just because the source material is that good. If you want more, go read the manga. 

Rating: 3 poink~!

comments: very accurate portrayal of all the character.