You don't need to have played the SHENMUE video games to enjoy the storyline in the fan-films by Gang Entertainment.
This is comedy/drama/fantasy/sci-fi/indie/pepsi-ad at its best, all rolled up into three full-length films.
http://www.gangentertainment.org/shenmue.htmlhttp://www.gangentertainment.org/shenmue2.htmlhttp://www.gangentertainment.org/shenmue3.htmlNow you have no excuse to not see them. I want everyone who reads this to PROMISE that you will view the web-site, and then download or buy these movies. Yes, the web-site offers free downloads of the films, AND you can also buy the DVDs. The DVDs have extras that the downloadable copies don't. Regardless of which method you use to acquire the films, ACQUIRE THEM, and then watch them, and then review them under this post. I'm interested in you folks's opinions about these fantastic films which happen to be the best independant films ever made in the history of all time. If you disagree that they are the best independant films ever made in the history of all time, then you did not sit through the entire trilogy. Anyone who watches the entire trilogy cannot possibly disagree with me about the COMPLETE AWESOMENESS that IS the SHENMUE: TGE trilogy.
I won't give any spoilers. There are other things I must say about these movies ...
If your first impression is "Hey this is low budget. That neighbourhood looks nothing like Japan." If that is your first impression, then you have NO IMAGINATION AT ALL. Yes, these movies require that you have a bit of an imagination, but that's a DAMN GOOD THING. These movies are more than just a group of friends having fun. These movies are truly special. These movies are made on a shoestring budget, with volunteer actors, and these movies are AMAZING, an HUGE achievement. Even if you've never played the SHENMUE video games, the characters are still introduced adequately, and the story is still logical. You will find it to be an honor and a privledge to watch almost six hours of film in a marathon to see the entire story. I know this because I watched it with siblings who haven't played the games, and they found it very funny. I played the games, so I understood a lot more inside jokes; however, it's still very enjoyable to people who haven't played the games. Just watch it! Watch this trilogy in the same way that you'd watch any other trilogy, and enjoy it as if it is a really long, awesome movie. If you haven't played the games, and you don't know the characters, you'll get introduced adequately. I can't stress how awesomely adequate everything in these movies be!
The first movie begins with the murder of the father of a Japanese boy who just graduated from high school. The trilogy follows the story of the boy as he tries to find the man responsible for his father's death, and avenge his father's death. That's all you need to know.
I won't ruin the ending, but I'll say that the ending ties everything up perfectly. This is tight storytelling ... a huge achievement for the residents of the neighbourhood where this trilogy was shot. I nearly cried at parts ... not because of sadness ... but because of joy. This is truly the best film trilogy ever made, and the cast/crew/actors/et cetera are GODS AND GODDESSES.
I highly recommend this trilogy of films. And if you don't watch it, you are ignorant ... and perhaps dumb.
999xINFINITY/10