Film Review: "ONE OK ROCK: DETOX In Cinemas”
Japanese rock band ONE OK ROCK had their first theatrical release on April 17 in Japan and worldwide on April 30th with their new concert film, ONE OK ROCK: DETOX IN CINEMAS. The film captures the events of their second show in Nissan Stadium in Yokohama on their Detox Japan Tour. ONE OK ROCK partnered with CJ 4DPLEX in order to release the film in 4DX and SCREENX, making the viewer feel like they are experiencing the concert in real time.
Unlike most concert films that start when the show does, ONE OK ROCK: DETOX IN CINEMAS gives viewers a peak behind the curtains, showing the empty stadium as the band arrives and showcasing the sheer scale of the production. International fans are used to seeing ONE OK ROCK in intimate theaters that get them up close and personal with the band. From the beginning, it’s clear that the film is going to show them in a way that’s exciting and new not just to those who have never seen them live, but also to fans who have been to their shows outside of Japan.
The film masterfully recreates the energy of a live show with dynamic shots from multiple angles edited in perfect time with the music. Every time the live audience feels a shiver of anticipation, the film makers make sure the movie going audience feels it to. This is especially noticeable when a new song is about to start. The SCREENX theaters enhance the experience by constantly surrounding the audience in visuals that make them feel like they’re part of the film, whether that be by putting them amongst the fans in the stadium or putting them between Toru’s guitar and Ryota’s bass.
Fans of each member will be satisfied with how much screen time they get. Tomoya, who is largely unseen in live shows because of how much farther he is from the audience compared to the other members, is everpresent in the film. His passion is constantly on display and it’s hard not to be impressed by his impeccable drum skills. Similarly, Toru and Ryota each get plenty of times to shine with the camera often bouncing between the two of them.
ONE OK ROCK are no strangers to bringing out special guests to perform with them, like the members of the fictional band TENBLANK who joined them on the DETOX tour in Osaka, but audiences watching the film will still be left in awe when Paledusk and CHICO CARLITO join the band for a performance of their collaboration on “DETOX,” “C.U.R.I.O.S.I.T.Y” and “One by One” from their seventh album, 35xxxv.
However, the most shocking scene in the film is when Taka breaks his toe at the end of “Dystopia.” The members are shown discussing his condition before he comes back on stage in a wheelchair to sing “Tropical Therapy.” While plenty of artists would end the show early or at the very least stay seated for the rest of the set, Taka performs through the pain as if he was never injured. The film ends with Taka hopping around the stage on one foot as he sings three encores.
Everyone has something to gain from going to see ONE OK ROCK: DETOX IN CINEMAS. Long time fans outside of Japan get to experience what the band is like in their homebase, Japanese fans can reminisce on a truly amazing concert, and even those who have never heard of ONE OK ROCK get a first hand look into what makes them so special as a band.
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