Cloud review – bizarre internet action thriller descends into hail of bullets

TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:

"Kiyoshi Kurosawa's 'Cloud' Explores Internet Crime Before Descending into Absurd Action"

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AI Analysis Average Score: 5.3
These scores (0-10 scale) are generated by Truthlens AI's analysis, assessing the article's objectivity, accuracy, and transparency. Higher scores indicate better alignment with journalistic standards. Hover over chart points for metric details.

TruthLens AI Summary

In the latest film from director Kiyoshi Kurosawa, titled 'Cloud', the narrative centers around Ryôsuke, played by Masaki Suda, an online retail entrepreneur engaged in questionable business practices. Initially, Ryôsuke appears to be a savvy businessman, purchasing items in bulk and selling them at a markup. However, his unethical tactics include selling counterfeit designer goods alongside legitimate collectibles. The film opens with Ryôsuke exploiting a defunct medical company by purchasing their unsold 'therapy devices' and marketing them for profit, raising questions about the motives behind such actions. The film's premise holds potential but quickly devolves into implausibility as the plot progresses without providing satisfactory explanations for various scenarios, including the lack of action from the original business in selling its own products online.

As Ryôsuke's business flourishes, he relocates to the countryside with his girlfriend, only to find himself facing the wrath of those he has defrauded. The film takes a dramatic turn as a group of his victims bands together to seek revenge, leading to an absurd and chaotic confrontation. The once grounded narrative is overshadowed by a ludicrous shootout in a deserted factory, where the film's tone shifts dramatically to a neo-western-inspired melee filled with excessive gunfire and unrealistic action. This shift detracts from the film's initial premise, leaving viewers with a sense of disconnection from the characters and their motivations. The final act, filled with relentless action, seems to drag on, ultimately failing to deliver a satisfying resolution. 'Cloud' is set to be released in UK cinemas on April 25, but its descent into farce may leave audiences questioning the film's overall coherence and impact.

TruthLens AI Analysis

The review provides a critical perspective on Kiyoshi Kurosawa's film "Cloud," portraying it as a convoluted action thriller that strays into absurdity. It highlights the film's premise of an online entrepreneur engaging in questionable business practices and the ensuing chaotic retaliation from wronged parties. The film's transition from a potentially engaging narrative to an unrealistic shootout serves as a focal point for the reviewer's disappointment.

Intention Behind the Publication

The review aims to inform potential viewers about the film's shortcomings, particularly in its execution of a contemporary theme related to internet crime. By emphasizing its implausibility, the publisher seeks to set realistic expectations for the audience, potentially steering them away from what could be perceived as a waste of time and resources.

Public Perception Shaping

By focusing on the film's flaws, the review may cultivate skepticism among readers regarding not just this film but also similar narratives in the genre. It suggests that internet crime stories are prone to becoming far-fetched, thereby influencing how audiences approach future films with similar themes.

Omissions and Hidden Agendas

There doesn't appear to be a clear intention to hide information from the public; however, the review's focus on the film's absurdity may overshadow any positive aspects or deeper themes that could resonate with certain audiences.

Manipulative Elements

The review leans towards the negative, which may skew public perception. The language used is critical, portraying the movie in a less favorable light. This choice of words may lead to a bias that influences readers' decisions about watching the film.

Truthfulness of the Article

The review is based on the subjective experience of the reviewer and reflects their personal interpretation of the film. While it provides insights into the film's narrative and execution, it does not claim to represent an objective truth.

Societal Implications

This review could influence the film industry by discouraging filmmakers from exploring themes of internet crime, given the potential for negative reception. It may also affect audience expectations for films of this nature, leading to more critical viewing habits.

Target Audience

The review seems to resonate more with audiences that appreciate critical film analysis, particularly those who are skeptical of mainstream cinema's handling of complex themes. It may appeal to cinephiles who seek depth and coherence in storytelling.

Market Impact

While the review itself may not have immediate implications for stock markets or global markets, the reception of the film could affect related sectors, such as streaming services or box office performance, depending on audience turnout influenced by critical reviews.

Geopolitical Context

The review does not directly address geopolitical issues but does reflect a cultural critique relevant to contemporary media consumption, particularly in how internet-related narratives are portrayed in cinema.

AI Involvement in Creation

There is no explicit evidence suggesting that AI was used in the writing of the review. However, if AI models had been involved, they might have influenced the tone or analysis, potentially emphasizing certain narrative critiques over others.

Conclusion

The review presents a distinctly negative view of "Cloud," which could shape audience perceptions and influence their choices. Its critical tone may discourage viewership and prompt discussions about the portrayal of internet crime in cinema.

Unanalyzed Article Content

Here to prove once again that movies about internet crime can so easily unravel into implausible silliness is that otherwise estimable Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa, who has written and directed a bizarre, baffling action thriller based on the (initially interesting) idea of an online retail entrepreneur ripping off his customers and suppliers – who then seek revenge.

Masaki Suda plays Ryôsuke, a guy in the rackety business of buying in bulk and selling the items individually online at a retail markup. Some of the things he buys are fake designer items, which he markets as genuine. But some are perfectly legal: collectible action figures and the like which are advertised entirely honestly. At the beginning we see him ruthlessly buying “therapy devices” from a medical business that has gone bust and then exploitatively putting them up for sale. (But wait. Even if we believe in these therapy devices, why doesn’t the embattled business itself just sell them online? It’s not explained.)

Flush with cash, Ryôsuke moves to a place in the country to pursue his business with more space for his dodgy goods and his girlfriend moves there with him. But then the people he’s defrauded band together in some kind of unlikely enraged gang to get payback, all of them apparently with casual access to weaponry. Ryôsuke’s own assistant turns out to be pretty much gun crazy.

And so all the hi-tech detail and low-key everyday believability of the story is jettisoned in favour of an entirely ridiculous shootout in a deserted factory, with many deafening bullet ricochets off metal fittings. The final half-hour seems to be a neo-western style melee which seems to go on for ever. Odd … and unrewarding.

Cloud is in UK cinemas from 25 April.

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Source: The Guardian