entertainment

Spider-Man slings into Japan - ahead of U.S., for a change

22 Comments
By Chris Betros

Movie fans in Japan often complain that films open here too long after their release in the United States. Not so with “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” – which opens Friday in Japan, one week ahead of its U.S. release. Sony Pictures, which is distributing the film, spared no expense, bringing stars Andrew Garfield, Jamie Foxx, Emma Stone, along with director Marc Webb and producers Matt Tolmach and Avi Arad to Japan to get the ball rolling.

Webb, who directed the first film in the retake on the famous comic book character in 2012, promised audiences “the biggest spectacle to date but with a romance at its heart.” Garfield, 30, reprises his role as Peter Parker who loves being Spider-Man, swinging around between the skyscrapers of New York, and romancing Gwen (Garfield’s real-life girlfriend Stone). But he is torn by conflict, knowing that web-slinging activities can put the people he loves in danger. The villains this time are Electro (Fox) and Parker’s boyhood friend Harry Osborn who is heir to the mysterious and all-powerful Oscorp.

For the first time, most of “Spider-Man” was actually filmed in New York. “It shows the quintessential New York,” Stone, 25, said. “It was great the way the crowds turned out to watch the filming. It was really energizing.” Garfield said he amused two young children who were playing basketball when he dropped by – in Spider-Man costume – to join them for a few hoops.

Fox, 46, said he was so excited to be part of the Marvel universe. His character starts off as Max, a nobody electrical engineer who works at Oscorp. After falling into a tank of electric eels, he gains the ability to control electricity, including being able to black out the city. “I tried to be the best villain I could, a real adversary to Spider-Man,” he said. “Being a villain gives an actor a chance to flex his acting muscles.”

Garfield said Spider-Man, who was created by Stan Lee and debuted in comics in 1962, continues to be popular because he is a character that struggles with the imperfections that all people to do, and yet he has to make sacrifices to serve a higher calling.

At the Roppongi Hills event to promote the film, Garfield was asked questions by two pint-sized Japanese boys in Spider-Man costumes. One asked him if Spider-man was strong, while the other asked “How can I become Spider-Man?” Garfield’s advice: “Your personal power can be many different things. Try to be the best person you can be as you grow up.”

© Japan Today

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22 Comments
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The fact that it's being released here even earlier than in the US implies that all movies can get a release at least on par with international releases, so there should be no excuse for all other movies we have to wait a year for

3 ( +3 / -0 )

At least they didn't change the name of the movie to "男のクモ2" to appeal to Japanese audiences

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Movie fans in Japan often complain that films open here too long after their release in the United States. Not so with “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” – which opens Friday in Japan, one week ahead of its U.S. release.

Which makes it even more unfathomable how some films can take up to a year to get here. I would think that distributors, constantly lamanting that they need to negotiate profitable licensing agreements, would understand that the longer they wait to release certain films in the Japanese market, the greater the chance their core consumers will seek the film out through "alternative" channels (read: "streaming," "torrents" et al.) You don't gain market advantage by waiting to see how good a deal you can get tomorrow. You gain market advantage by securing the best deal today while interest is still high.

I'm glad to hear Spider-Man is getting some love here in Japan, but other films of a similar genre are not so lucky.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Was planning on watching it today but at 2,400 yen for the 3D version? And the only 2D version in my area is at noon, a big turnoff. Gonna wait till May first so I can watch it at a discount price.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Watching it today after work. (;

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Perfectly convenient to open here in Japan with Golden Week. This film will make big yen (bucks) as we pay way more than what is paid in the States. Usual releases seem to follow vacation periods like summer vacation and winter vacation. That is when people might have the chance to dole out that much money to see a film. I am sure this will be a big hit for the people involved with the film. I imagine they were all paid to come over much like foreign golfers who appear at major tournaments.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It is here ahead of the US and the subtitles reflect that it was a rushed job!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Things like this are actually not that common, but it does happen. If I remember correctly, the last James Bond film, Skyfall, premiered in theaters outside the USA before its USA release.

By the way, whether a foreign film is dubbed into Japanese for initial theatrical release depends on the type of film. Because The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is intended for a more adult audience, the film is usually released initially in Japanese-subtitled form first, and some time later we get the dubbed release.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The fact that it's being released here even earlier than in the US implies that all movies can get a release at least on par with international releases, so there should be no excuse for all other movies we have to wait a year for.

Movie distributors have to make a decision (besides whether to dub or subtitle) with regards to releasing something in a language other than the one the movie is filmed in:

"Do we release in one other language quickly - releasing the other languages as they get completed, or do we wait until all the other languages are done and release them simultaneously?"

Going with the first option risks angering the speakers of the other languages that weren't chosen first. Going with the second option results in a longer delay before the film is released internationally. It looks like Sony decided to use the first option this time around.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It's interesting how Asian people like the Japanese can relate to western movie characters but not vice-versa.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I wish Sam Rami had directed it. I miss the original cast. Hope you all enjoy this latest episode.

I hear you and feel you on that. I am a huge fan of Rami, but let's be brutally honest. Spiderman 3 sucked some serious (you know what) the plot was awful the whole thing with Gwen and Mary Jane mix up, they screwed up with Venom, I can give a litany of faults with the movie, not to mention lastly, Toby ain't NO Spiderman, he's a good actor, great body for the part, but lacking in personality. Garfield just fits the part perfectly, they seem to be on track more with the characters and I liked how they finally got it right between Peter and Gwen and the old "web shooters" he built. and the look is more like the days of early spidey drawn by Steve Ditko. Personally, I think they packed this one a bit too much for a second Spidey reboot, but I will give it a chance.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Just tired of these reboots and the same annoying formulas they engage in.

Not one, not two, but three villains, more and more of them to clutter the movie.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I remember that Spider-Man 3 with Tobey Maguire also premiered a few days earlier in Japan than in the states.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Crappy movies usually come out pretty quick before the bad news spreads but good movies are held back as good reviews are spread.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

electros total switch from loving spidey to hating him was just not credible. a muddled movie

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Money Honey.. It's Golden Week Vacation here very soon, So more people off and More people off to see movies.. Look at frozen, could have came out in December.. But I guess cos of translating, and what merchandise they could make to suite the Japanese taste etc. takes time, But it came out during spring break here, it all to do with timing and how to such more money out of the lovely Japanese..

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I wish Sam Rami had directed it. I miss the original cast. Hope you all enjoy this latest episode.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Saw it! It was awesome! A successful adaptation of the original Amazing Spiderman! A little surprise near the end about Spiderman's girlfriend but everything else is outstanding! Good Job SONY!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Thanks Sony. Next best thing after PS4.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Movie distributors have to make a decision (besides whether to dub or subtitle) with regards to releasing something in a language other than the one the movie is filmed in:

"Do we release in one other language quickly - releasing the other languages as they get completed, or do we wait until all the other languages are done and release them simultaneously?"

Going with the first option risks angering the speakers of the other languages that weren't chosen first. Going with the second option results in a longer delay before the film is released internationally. It looks like Sony decided to use the first option this time around.

Fair enough, but in that case they could release subs first and then dubs later if it's really necessary. I wouldn't contest that dubbing a movie in a different language would be cheap and quick, but subs could be rolled out much, much faster.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

At the Roppongi Hills event to promote the film, Garfield was asked questions by two pint-sized Japanese boys in Spider-Man costumes. One asked him if Spider-man was strong, while the other asked "How can I become Spider-Man?"

Seriously, Japan. Stop with the formulaic, movie promotions. Kids dressed in costumes asking lame questions they likely spend weeks rehearsing? "Is Spiderman strong?" Really? I'm surprised they didn't ask if Spiderman can eat natto. Stop embarrassing the a-list stars who make the trek out to Japan for these events.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Toby ain't NO Spiderman, he's a good actor, great body for the part, but lacking in personality. Garfield just fits the part perfectly, they seem to be on track more with the characters and I liked how they finally got it right between Peter and Gwen and the old "web shooters" he built.

Tobey is better as an actor. TBH I like the Sam Rami's Spiderman version- Spidey has a life too. The new reboots are your typical soulless action flicks.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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