Cloud Review: A Bizarre Internet Action Thriller Descends into Chaos
Introduction to Chaos: A Welcome Distraction?
In the realm of internet crime, films often walk a fine line between gripping narratives and implausible silliness. Enter Kiyoshi Kurosawa, an otherwise revered Japanese director, who brings us "Cloud" — a bewildering action thriller that stumbles over its ambitions while attempting to unravel the complexities of online entrepreneurship gone wrong.
Plot Overview: Meet Ryôsuke, the Internet Entrepreneur
At the heart of this bizarre story is Masaki Suda, who portrays Ryôsuke — an online retailer with a flair for the unscrupulous. Bursting onto the screen with a zeal that is both captivating and cringe-worthy, Ryôsuke thrives in the murky waters of buying in bulk and reselling at a markup. His inventory? A hodgepodge of dubious designer knock-offs and legitimate collectibles. The film opens with a trader’s desperation, demonstrating Ryôsuke ruthlessly purchasing “therapy devices” from a distressed medical business, only to list them for sale online. However, the plot leaves you questioning: why doesn’t the struggling business sell them directly? This crucial narrative detail is tragically overlooked, creating a disconnect from the audience’s reality.
Love in an Unlikely Setting: The Rural Retreat
Flush with cash and confidence, Ryôsuke relocates to the countryside, hoping to expand his empire and share a new life with his girlfriend. Yet, the idyllic backdrop quickly spirals into pandemonium when aggrieved customers band together for revenge, brandishing weapons with alarming frequency. Here, the film teeters into ridiculousness, particularly with the revelation that Ryôsuke’s assistant harbors a peculiar penchant for firearms, which feels almost farcical.
The Climax: A Shootout of Epic Proportions
Prepare for chaos as confrontations erupt in a deserted factory that transports the narrative into a neo-western showdown. The transition toward action is jarring, as the film sacrifices its initial hi-tech motifs and everyday credibility for an excessive shootout replete with deafening bullets ricocheting off metal fixtures. This elevates the absurdity to absurd heights, diminishing the potential for a meaningful exploration of online morality and entrepreneurial ethics.
Conclusion: A Dissonant Note
As "Cloud" barrettes its way towards a prolonged climax that struggles for substance, viewers are left grappling with an eventual sense of disengagement. What promised to be a thought-provoking narrative about internet deception has devolved into an overblown spectacle that lacks resolution. Though it boasts an intriguing premise, the execution ultimately feels odd and unrewarding.
Release Information
Cloud hits UK cinemas on 25 April. If you’re drawn to themes of digital deception mixed with chaotic action, it may just be the flick that satiates your appetite for bizarre escapism. Will you take the plunge into this peculiar cinematic experience, or will you steer clear of the dramatic descent into chaos?
For a deeper dive into the world of internet cinema, check out our guidelines on digital storytelling. This film might just spark an interesting conversation about the complexities of online ethics and the lengths people will go to for vengeance. Viewer discretion advised!
