Iké Boys is a film directed by Eric McEver, who also co-wrote the screenplay with producer Jeff Hammer. In the closing days of 1999, anime fan Shawn Gunderson (Quinn Lord) and his best friend Vik Kapoor receive a copy of a long-lost anime film in the mail. While watching the movie with Japanese exchange student Miki Shimizu (Christina Higa), the movie bestows incredible powers on the trio. Shawn slowly transforms into an Ultraman-like tokusatsu hero, Vik gains the strength and power of a bear-like kaiju, and Miki gains psychic powers. As the teens struggle to control their newfound powers, they learn that the movie contained a prophecy that the Old Gods would return and destroy the world in the new millennium, and a doomsday cult is hell-bent on making that happen.
This movie is a huge love letter to Japanese pop culture, especially anime and tokusatsu. Shawn has drawings and figure posters including The Battle of the Planets and Sailor Moon covering his walls, and his armored alter ego bears more than a passing resemblance to Mazinger Z. And the final fight scene feels ripped from the Powers. Rangers, including special effects and what is clearly a man in a giant robot suit. The trio even shout "Henshin!" transform as Kamen Rider. Part of the fun of watching this movie was seeing all the salutes to different tokusatsu and anime. As a lifelong toku fan, I felt like parts of this movie were designed specifically for me. There are even animated sequences sprinkled throughout the movie that would make this movie feel right at home in the Toonami lineup.
Director: Eric McEver
Writers: Eric McEver, Jeff Hammer
Stars: Quinn Lord, Ronak Gandhi, Christina Higa
Another element that caught my eye was the 90's era setting. I grew up in the 1990's and I can tell you that McEver captured the era perfectly. Characters use pay phones, there are old-school computers, and DVDs were becoming a thing. Setting the film in the late '90s not only provides a fitting apocalyptic setting, but also serves as a metaphor for the struggles teenagers face. Shawn and Vik have never known life outside of their small town in Oklahoma, and their respective superpowers serve as a metaphor for their struggles; Shawn's armor is a manifestation of his inability to connect with other people, including his father, and Vik's acceptance of his beastly abilities highlights his struggle to fit in with the popular kids. Another element is that the teens are in a culture that is not their own: Shawn is embracing Japanese traditions, Vik is trying to fit in with the popular, mostly white crowd, and Miki came to Oklahoma to find Native Americans because she wants to. go to excursion. vision quest.
Iké Boys really shines thanks to the performances of Lord, Gandhi and Higa. Lord is no stranger to gender fare, as he played Sam on Trick'R'Treat when he was younger. He gives Shawn an edgy, nerdy, and overall sweet demeanor that is reminiscent of characters like Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Jim Lake Jr. from Trollhunters. Gandhi gives the film his sense of humor and pathos, as Shawn and Vik's friendship is tested by his new powers. Higa also has many layers to her portrayal of Miki. Despite being new to America, she is smart enough to notice the changes that have befallen her new friends and even turn the tide when all seems lost. The cast features alumni from other genres, including Billy Zane as Shawn's martial arts sensei and Yumiko Shaku as Shawn's wife Reiko.
Iké Boys carries its anime and tokusatsu influences into the manga and contains a heartfelt message about embracing your passions in life. If you grew up with any form of anime or pop culture, you need to see this movie. Like the trio of young heroes, he's not afraid to let his geek flag fly.
Watch Iké Boys 2022 Movie Trailer
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