Ping Pong ( Pingu-Pongu )

Ping Pong (DVD) (*)

~~$30.99~~ $24.97

Original Title: Pingu-Pongu
Screened, competed or awarded at:
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Subtitles )
Japanese ( Dolby Digital 5.1 )

Product Origin/Format:
Australia ( PAL/Region 4 )

Running Time:
114 min + 100 min extras

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.85:1)

Special Features:
Featurette
Interactive Menu
Making Of
Scene Access
Short Film
Teaser(s)
Trailer(s)

Movie filmed in 2002 and produced in:
Japan ( India, Eastern Asia )

Directed By:
Fumihiko Sori

Written By:
Kankurô Kudô
Taiyo Matsumoto (comic)

Actors:
Yôsuke Kubozuka ..... Peco
Arata ..... Smile
Sam Lee ..... China
Shido Nakamura ..... Dragon
Koji Ookura ..... Akuma
Naoto Takenaka ..... Butterfly Joe
Mari Natsuki ..... Obaba

Synopsis:

Ever since the day Peco Hoshino(Ysuke Kubozuka) rescued Smile (Arata) from a gang of bullies and introduced him to the game of table tennis, the pair have been inseparable friends with intertwined fates. Now Peco is a cocky teenager who wants no less than to be the best player in the world, but lacks the self-discipline to carry his plan through - while the withdrawn, slightly arrogant Smile probably has more natural talent than anyone, but plays 'to kill time' rather than to win, and his reluctance to see other players (especially Peco) humiliated makes him hold back in his own game, much to the annoyance of Ota, his coach (Naoto Takenaka). After Peco is sorely beaten (or 'skunked') in a tournament and quits the game, Smile continues his rise to the top, preparing the way for the return of his hero, who he is destined to meet in one last match.

A sports movie is a sports movie is a sports movie, but every once in a while, one comes along that transcends the genre. Fumihiko Sori's phenomenally stylish debut film, Ping Pong, is helped along by the novelty of its subject; there's never been a narrative feature film about competitive ping pong. But with its complex, likeable characters and innovatively slick visual style, the film transcends mere novelty interest. Japanese heartthrob Yôsuke Kubozuka, who plays the grandstanding Peco is an imminently graceful and likeable comedic actor, and together with Arata, in a far less showy role as Peco's taciturn best friend, Smile, the leads convincingly portray the positive and negative nuances of a longtime friendship. The supporting cast, given meaty roles by screenwriter Kankurô Kudô (adapting a popular manga), also excels. None of these characters look near young enough to be in high school, but that's forgivable. Despite the film's flashy visuals, there's a lot more emotional weight to Ping Pong than there is to your typical uplifting sports movie. While the film sticks to the formula to a great extent, there's enough specific detail to these characters and this sport to produce plenty of drama. But the flashy visuals are still a major selling point. Sori films the action, both on and off the table, with tremendous panache. Matches can be captured in a single shot, but are sometimes drawn out, as the ball is slowed down and the players' private obsessions come to the fore. Utilizing CGI to capture the intense speed of the game and the mindset of the each player, the director brings welcome new interest to a tired genre.

The film traces the growth and friendship of two very different high-school ping-pong players. "Peco" Hoshino is a brash, arrogant player, determined to turn pro. He taught his quiet, nerdy childhood friend "Smile" Tsukimoto. Smile frustrates his coach and rivals, who recognize his talent for the game since it is just a game to him. To teach him, his high-school coach learns that coaching is more than just training the students to be good ping-pong players. Ironically, as Smile begins to develop his game, Peco undergoes a severe crisis after his defeat by rival players and is unable to play well until he rediscovers the original reasons why he plays ping-pong.

This product was added to our catalog on Tuesday 15 November, 2005.

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