Alive – Review

Alive is a high concept and zany story that never quite lives up to its ideas, but is still worth the time for adventurous viewers. It is based on a manga which I know nothing about. The film is very slow to get rolling, but eventually presents some nutty concepts and action.

Beginning in a dank prison, an inmate named Tenshu Yashiro (Sakaki) knows his time is running short. His execution will bring a close to this chapter called life, and he stoically awaits his electrocution. After being strapped into the chair he is asked for last words, and takes a moment to look up at the cloudy sky one last time. Finally, he asks, “Tomorrow, will I see the sun?”

The guards turn on the juice and send it sizzling through Tenshu, shocks and flashes lighting up the room as the power zaps him dry. He’s dead now… or is he? They take off the head device to find he is still breathing, yet the man in charge watching declares him “dead” regardless.

Tenshu states they couldn’t kill him with such a weak voltage, and is offered the explanation that the psychological strain of a prisoner’s body usually does the deed even at a lower voltage. He is the first person to survive. A strange choice is then presented.

If desired, he could take part in an experiment elsewhere, or he can be shocked again, this time with a guaranteed lethal voltage. Not much of a choice it seems, live or die. He is warned by the man offering this dilemma that it is probably better to just die now.

No, Tenshu thinks, he’s getting out of there! And so starts his fate worse than death, moving into the core story full of wild ideas. The movie is definitely a bit slow, but has some truly devious turns and some cool twists.

The way it is shot gives it an almost dreamlike appearance, which fits the story well and probably covers for its small budget. The plot is fairly straightforward, and the settings are minimal, but the movie entertains regardless.

I like some of this director’s other work as well, as it is usually quite high concept regardless of the execution. This one has enough good ideas to warrant a viewing, however the pacing can drag a bit through its runtime. One of the characters can be a tad tedious to put up with also, but by the time the real craziness is introduced it matters less.

There is also an even longer director’s cut, however I am unsure the runtime or scene differences. I would personally recommend not watching an extended version, as pacing is an issue with the theatrical cut.

There really is not much I can compare to this movie. Suggestions below are not that close plot-wise but may carry some similar type of themes or action.