High&Low The Movie 2 / End of Sky explained

High&Low The Movie 2 / End of Sky
Narrators:-->
Music:Yuta Nakano
Editing:Tsuyoshi Wada
Production Companies:-->
Distributor:Shochiku
Runtime:124 minutes
Country:Japan
Language:Japanese

High&Low The Movie 2 / End of Sky (stylized as HiGH&LOW THE MOVIE 2 / END OF SKY) is a 2017 Japanese action film directed by Shigeaki Kubo and Tsuyoshi Nakakuki.[1] [2] It is the third film of the High&Low franchise, and the second film focusing on the war between yakuza organisation Kuryu Group and the SWORD gangs. Following the story of High&Low The Movie and High&Low The Red Rain, the SWORD gangs continued to fight against Kuryu Group's plan of transforming their town into a casino.[3] [4]

High&Low The Movie 2 / End of Sky was announced on March 18, 2017. It was also announced that the film would be released on August 19, 2017. The film's ensemble cast includes not only a large number of members of the Exile Tribe, Takanori Iwata, Akira, Sho Aoyagi, Keiji Kuroki, Takahiro, Hiroomi Tosaka and Naoto, but also actors like Kento Hayashi, Masataka Kubota, and Yuki Yamada.[5]

The film premiered in Tokyo on August 9, 2017, with 60 cast members attending the stage greeting event.[6] It grossed 1.34 billion yen in Japan.[7] [8]

Plot

Though being attacked, the SWORD gangs united and defeated the army of enemies led by former Mugen Leader Kohaku at the fight at the Container street. The SWORD area gets a temporary peace.

However, Kuryu Group does not give up its plan of building a casino in the SWORD area. To fight their mutual enemies, Cobra of Sannoh Rengokai (Hoodlum Squad) suggests the five SWORD gangs should ally. However, as their leader Smoky's illness takes a turn for the worse, Rude Boys members who attend the summit of SWORD leaders in place of Smoky refuse the plan, saying that it's more important for them to survive. White Rascals' leader Rocky refuses to ally too, maintaining that they only want to protect women. The plan of alliance therefore fails.

Rocky refuses the plan for his own reason. The vicious man he has a feud with, Doubt's leader Ranmaru Hayashi has got out of prison, Rocky does not want the other SWORD gangs to get involved in the feud between them. Ranmaru Hayashi came prepared, with his money and the fierce Prison Gang he calls from the prison, he almost destroys White Rascals and injures Rocky. Cobra offers Rocky his help, but Rocky insists that one should rely on his own when he can.

Meanwhile, another fight against the casino plan has begun. After the death of their older brother Takeru, Masaki and Hiroto Amamiya gives the USB with proof of politicians taking bribes from the Kuryu Group to Kohaku, who deeply regrets the mistakes he has made and wants to expose the evil of the Kuryu Group. Kuryu Group becomes aware of their plans of publicising information in the USB, and they send Genji Kuki, vice leader of Kurosakikai, to kill the Kohaku and his right arm man Tsukumo.

To end the feud between themselves and the alliance of Doubt and the Prison Gang, the White Rascals head to the fatal battle. When they are almost killed by their powerful enemy, Cobra, and other SWORD members, come to their rescue with the determination to protect the SWORD area as a whole from their enemies. At the same time, Kohaku,  Tsukumo and the Amamiya brothers have to fight the formidable killer Genji Kuki.

The biggest fight that will determine the future of the SWORD area begins. The SWORD gangs repulse the attacks of their enemies at walls, but their true enemy, the Kuryu Group, has not yet been defeated.

Cast

Release

High&Low The Movie 2 / End of Sky premiered in Tokyo International Forum Hall A on August 9, 2017. With 60 people appearing on its stage greeting event, it was an impressive event that surpass the massive premiere of the previous High&Low The Movie. The multitude of participants included director Sigeaki Kubo and Tsuyoshi Nakakuki, producer Hiroyuki Ueno, project producer Exile Hiro, screenwriter Norihisa Hiranuma, and 56 actors who appeared in the film. The film was released in Japan on August 19, 2017.[10] [11]

On September 7, 2018, High&Low The Movie 2 / End of Sky were released in Taiwan alongside High&Low The Movie 3 / Final Mission.[12] [13]

Reception

Box office

High&Low The Movie 2 / End of Sky was ranked No.1 at the Japanese box office on its opening, grossing more than 351 million yen and attracting more than 266 thousand audiences. 40% of the viewers were male, which was much higher than the 20% of the previous High&Low The Movie.[14] The film grossed 1.34 billion yen in total and attracted audiences of more than 1 million.[7]

Critical response

Japanese rapper, writer and critic Utamaru pointed out that "many people consider the film to be much better than its previous in the quality of its fight scenes and the plot, and since what didn't work in the previous movie have been improved, it's well-received." "They also speak highly of the film as the fight scenes and specific martial arts moves between the big gangs in the movie are very vivid." On the other hand, he also stated that "the film's naysayers don't like the film because it has too many characters, and they find it hard to make sense of the plot. In fact, the film would give you a feeling of "I don't know the plot, but the action is great."

Utamaru himself praised the film, stating that "The action, its creativity and the quality of the film are outstanding among Japanese films, and the car chases scenes and parkour battles scenes of the Rude Boys are worth watching". He also pointed out that "the relationship between the characters is also one of the film's best attractions, which adds to the charisma of its characters. He enjoyed it when the theme song of each organization is played during each battle, which reminded him of the heroes of Tokusatsu.

He also stated that the production of the whole film is quite something in Japanese film history, writing " Not only the action scenes, but the level of luxury in the subtleties of the art, sets, costumes, and novel techniques of photography is really something that can be said to be a rare quality in the history of Japanese cinema, something that can truly show the level of Japanese cinema. It is those very physically fit actors, together with perfect camera work, perfect art, and fine costumes that enable the film to achieve this kind of perfection. "[15]

Awards

Sequels and spin-offs

High&Low The Movie 3 / Final Mission

High&Low The Movie 3 / Final Mission was released on November 11, 2017. It was directed by Sigeaki Kubo and Tsuyoshi Nakakuki.

DTC -Yukemuri Junjou Hen- from High&Low

DTC -Yukemuri Junjou Hen- from High&Low is a spin-off that focus on a trip of Sannoh Rengokai (Hoodlum Squad)'s members Dan, Tettsu and Chiharu, the small sub-unit DTC. It was released on September 28, 2018 and directed by Sigeaki Kubo.

High&Low The Worst

High&Low The Worst is a spin-off that focus on Oya Koukou (Oya High School). It was released on October 4, 2019 and directed by Sigeaki Kubo.

References

  1. Web site: HiGH&LOW THE MOVIE 2 / END OF SKY. HiGH&LOW. ja. 2020-03-10.
  2. Web site: HiGH&LOWシリーズ最新作「HiGH&LOW THE MOVIE 2 / END OF SKY」、White Rascalsの新チームビジュアルがついにお披露目ッ︎!!. プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1|PR TIMES. 2020-03-10.
  3. Web site: HiGH&LOW THE MOVIE 2 / END OF SKY(2017). allcinema. Stingray. Japanese. 2020-03-10.
  4. Web site: 中村蒼、狂気の"悪役"に挑戦!「こんな役を演じるとは…」『HiGH&LOW』. cinemacafe.net. ja. 2020-03-10.
  5. Web site: 劇場版「HiGH&LOW」続編の新キャスト39名発表、登場キャラクターは100人超. Inc. Natasha. 映画ナタリー. ja. 2020-03-10.
  6. Web site: 岩田剛典の思わぬ言い間違えにファン悲鳴?『HiGH&LOW』新作プレミアに60名登壇!. cinemacafe.net. ja. 2020-03-10.
  7. Web site: 「HiGH&LOW」シリーズ4作連続 興行収入10億円突破イベント・おでかけ. Inc. Lawson Entertainment. HMV&BOOKS online. en. 2020-02-23.
  8. Web site: 2017年(平成29年) 興行収入10億円以上番組. 2020-04-07.
  9. Web site: HiGH&LOW END OF SKY Cast. HiGH&LOW. ja. 2020-03-15.
  10. Web site: ターミネーター源治に苦情?岩田剛典、窪田正孝ら総勢60名が「超全員主役」の舞台挨拶『HiGH&LOW THE MOVIE 2』完成披露試写会 SPICE - エンタメ特化型情報メディア スパイス. SPICE(スパイス)|エンタメ特化型情報メディア スパイス. 2020-04-03.
  11. Web site: 岩田剛典の思わぬ言い間違えにファン悲鳴?『HiGH&LOW』新作プレミアに60名登壇!. cinemacafe.net. ja. 2020-04-03.
  12. Web site: HiGH & LOW熱血街頭 電影版3:終極任務HiGH & LOW The Movie 3 Final Mission - 電影介紹. 世界電影雜誌 World SCREEN. 2020-04-12.
  13. Web site: HiGH & LOW熱血街頭 電影版2:天空的盡頭HiGH & LOW The Movie 2 End of Sky - 電影介紹. 世界電影雜誌 World SCREEN. 2020-04-03.
  14. Web site: 『HiGH&LOW THE MOVIE 2』が約30万人動員、4億円超を記録 週末興行ランキング&ぴあ満足度で首位に SPICE - エンタメ特化型情報メディア スパイス. SPICE(スパイス)|エンタメ特化型情報メディア スパイス. 2020-04-03.
  15. Web site: 【映画評書き起こし】宇多丸、『HiGH&LOWTHEMOVIE2/ENDOFSKY』を語る!(2017.8.26放送). TBSラジオ FM90.5 + AM954~何かが始まる音がする~. 2020-04-03.
  16. Web site: 第6回ジャパンアクションアワード「HiGH&LOW」が2冠、最優秀男優賞は佐藤健. Inc. Natasha. 映画ナタリー. ja. 2020-01-28.

External links