CK's H!P Film Festival Pt. 3 (My New Favorite H!P Movie!)

I still have a lot to learn about the land of Hello! Project, and that's a good thing!

When I first set out to review the H!P films, I only knew of six features, which I reviewed here and here.  I figured I would review these films in two posts, and possibly throw in a "Yo-Yo Girl Cop" post later on.  And that would be it unless H!P decided to do more movies.  But thanks to Andra, I discovered there are quite a few more films in the Hello! Project catalog.  I still haven't seen them all.  But I have really liked the three new films I have seen, especially this one...

VICTORY

 VICTORY!～フットガールズの青春 (2003)

VICTORY! Futto Girls no Seishun was a Made-For-TV movie shown on the Fuji Television Network in 2003.  It stars Matsuura Aya, and features supporting roles from Kago Ai, Ishikawa Rika, Ogawa Makoto, and Takahashi Ai.  The movie also doubles as a full-length promotional video for Morning Musume's hit single Go Girl! ~Koi no Victory~.  Ayaya plays the role of Shuko Ashida, the most clutzy member of the cheerleading squad at Tameeda Academy.  The school girls' futsal team (The Tameeda Angels) are the worst team in the league!  It's the usual result for the Angels, they are getting thoroughly beaten by the opposing team and making serious tactical mistakes, which are all metaphors for their individual personalities.  After a member of their rival team insults Shuko's cheers and their school itself, she angrily kicks the ball with such "out of this world" power, their coach in convinced he has a new "secret weapon" and invites Shuko to become the newest member of the team.  The new acquisition is met with mediocre enthusiasm by her new teammates, who are played by various teen idol/actresses.  Most notably 1/2 Japanese 1/2 British Becky as the goalkeeper and daughter of the school principal.  And the nerdy girl is portrayed by actress/gravure idol Suenaga Haruka.  Who is of course a total babe!

Suenaga haruka

The basic story is about the futsal team coming together as a cohesive unit, told through the trials and tribulations of each individual member.  Each member needs to confront their personal life issues, and in turn become a better futsal player.  The most memorable story is of Tobiko (Kagami Saki), the team's best scorer.  Tobiko's mother is an alcoholic and bar owner.  She makes the acquaintance of many shady men, one of which wants to recruit Tobiko to be an underage call girl!  And of course, the entire future existence of the school hedges on whether or not the Angels can win their next game!

The main subplot of the movie involves the cheerleading squad holding auditions for a new member to replace Shuko.  These scenes are mainly for comic relief, and to showcase the members of Morning Musume.  There are also a few cameos in the film.  Dandy Sakano, better known as the "Get's Guy" uses his signature routine to help Anko (Becky) become a better goalkeeper.  Brazilian-Japanese footballer Ruy Ramos also plays himself as the rival teams' coach.

Ruy ramos

BTW, thank you to HarimaKenji for revealing Dandy Sakano's name! (I only ever knew him as the "Get's Guy from the Mechaike Bakajo Special"  Was his entire act the "Get's" line?  He's like the "Gallagher" of Japan, One joke career!

Ayaya is adorable in this film!  Her character is the polar opposite of the one she portrayed in "Sukeban Deka"  She's cute, bubbly, and a total nerd!  This is accentuated by her cute little way of saying "Yoroshiku" (Yoroshi-kyuuuuuuu)  To me the stangest and funniest scene is when Shuko's father castigates her for wanting to quit playing when she is obviously badly-injured, and tells her she should be ashamed of herself!

The movie overall is great fun!  It is a very nice story inter-laced with some hysterical moments, and it reminded me of how much I love the song "Go Girl ~Koi no Victory~.  The closing credits of the film are a lot like "Bend It Like Beckham", with the entire cast singing and dancing to the tune!  I haven't found a DVD version of it available yet, but you can download it on Veoh TV or watch it in ten parts on You Tube, starting with part one.  And here is the Veoh link...

In the next episode of CK's H!P Film Festival, I will be reviewing "Last Present", a TV Movie starring Charmy and Nacchi and 17sai Tabidachi no Futari, starring Charmy and Mikitty!  Thank You to Veoh user "Justin4keys" for all of the great uploads!!!

CK in California