High & Low: The Worst X

I'd argue that the Worst spinoffs wasn't able to meet the expectations that it's preceeding titles had placed. The themes behind the characters are very surface-level and straightforward but perhasp that was the intent as the targeted demographic may be young men. The story adds good stakes after the school was attacked and devastated, it captured the hopelessness of the situation well only ruined by the letter Ueda Sachio gave to Hanaoka Fujio earlier on, declaring that Housen would help Oya should they need it. If this wasn't explicitly shown, I believe the story would have much more apprehension. Hanaoka Fujio especially feels like a very childish superhero character that is not realistic like the rest of the cast, he easily gains the support of the people around him even with his lack of insight. Hanaoka Fujio is not a leader that Oya High needs but it seems as if he was just written to be. Other than that, everyone else is acceptable as a character even though they are very static and flat characters. Takajo Tsukasa's character in High & Low the Worst Zero added much depth and complexity to his character and Murayama Yoshiki was the best example of growth and dynamic characterization from this franchise evident by his popular place in fan votes. However everyone else, especially for what seems to be the main protagonist; Hanaoka Fujio, he needs a bit more depth.

I personally think this is a good movie. As in, it's a typical Japanese movie with emphasis and exaggeration on the gestures, facial expressions, the eyes and the hair and the eyebrows - which at times may be dramatic and funny or silly but it's okay I get it. The plot is also predictable but again I think it's a typical Japanese way of presentation on optimism and positivity and the never-give-up spirit. At least the fights are very well presented and nicely shot. I'm not sure why the overall rating is this low, this movie definitely deserves more appreciation and positive reviews. I enjoyed the two-hour movie and didn't think a minute was wasted. Very entertaining overall.