Fans of the iconoclastic Japanese filmmaker Sion Sono will be pleased by the continued surreal cinema that haphazardly combines a variety of themes and genres, creating an energetic spectacle filled with action. Sono, known for earlier works like Guilty of Romance and Suicide Circle, may leave viewers perplexed as they try to grasp the latest twisted story of sexual and violent intensity in the wildly imaginative gang musical Tokyo Tribe. The film is outwardly frivolous, frenetic, and fueled by a strange mix of opulence and absurdity, stimulating the senses with its collection of hedonistic moments amidst instantaneous chaos. There’s no question that Sono's offering in Tokyo Tribe pays homage to memorable gang movies and musicals throughout cinema history. These influences are playfully and boldly presented. From nods to gangster films alongside classics like A Clockwork Orange, Scarface, Ichi the Killer, and The Warriors, to finger-snapping musical numbers reminiscent of West Side Story and Moulin Rouge, Sono’s blend of fighting, firepower, and fury is a potent mix ready for sensory overload. Tokyo Tribe feels deliberately unbalanced and loosely structured, celebrating its chaotic action with palpable excitement. While Sono's vision of a dystopian Tokyo vying for control creates an interesting landscape, it leaves one wondering if the overwhelming elements are truly worthwhile as a whole. The film does capture the intense wrath of yakuza-style conflict. Though at times uneven and overly indulgent in its enthusiasm for collaborative craziness, Tribe acknowledges its own exploitation with a dynamic energy. It features criminal gangs, hip hop-inspired music punctuating the booming soundtrack, and attractive women—all contributing to an atmosphere where desires run wild. The film relies on Japanese rap musicians to convey a sense of urgency within the horror unfolding on the streets. It’s remarkable that Sono manages to direct such a potentially overblown and pretentious narrative with energy. This is actually what makes Tokyo Tribe appealing, as it's willing to be unconventional, unsettling, and unapologetic in its presentation of unrestrained will and war waged in the mean streets. The film’s feverish story of street-minded offenders driven by chaos feels like a guilty pleasure, peppered with dreamlike delusion and confusion. While not as profound or insightful as Sono's The Land of Hope, Tribe feels joyously experimental—a vehicle brimming with reckless promise. The premise involves twenty-three gangs competing for control of the streets in futuristic Tokyo. These gangs seek to establish their presence within Japan’s capital city. Bubba (Rika Takeuchi) envisions dominating the region and all other crime lords. She intends to force them into submission, initiating a full-scale war against her rivals. When not plotting world domination, Bubba and her associates, including her son, pursue Sunmi (Nana Seino), the daughter of a prominent local figure. Capturing Sunmi would represent ultimate triumph for Bubba and her organization. The realization dawns that the gangs must unite to stop Bubba from consolidating power. Viewers will likely surrender to the film's unpredictable twists and turns. Over-the-top characters, animated violent sequences, attractive women, combative confrontations, flashy choreography, Japanese rap artists, dizzying colors, provocative costumes, silly and stirring gang antics—all are assembled with a finesse that propels Tokyo Tribe as an overactive romp that understands its role well. That role is perhaps to be an entertainingly odd and ludicrous genre film acting as an unsettling commentary on our indiscriminate tastes in cinematic mob mentality and musical expression. Tokyo Tribe (2014) 1 hr. 57 mins. Starring: Young Dais, Ryouhei Suzuki, Nana Seino, Shota Sometani, Riki Takeuchi Directed by: Sion Sono MPAA Rating: R Genre: Gang-Related Fantasy and Suspense/Crime and Drama/Action and Adventure Critic's rating: ** ½ stars (out of 4 stars) (c) Frank Ochieng (2015)

Source on TMDB