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Hideto Takarai, Gackt Camui, Wang Lee Hom, Taro Yamamoto, Susumu Terajima ... see more see more... , Zeny Kwok , Anne Suzuki , Ryo Ishibashi , Etsushi Toyokawa , Li Li-chun , HYDE , Leehom Wang

Combining yakuza, science fiction, and vampire elements may sound like an outlandish recipe for campy excess in the United States, but former pinku eiga director Takahisa Zeze plays things remarkably ... read more read more...straight in this truly unique effort from Japan. In the near future, a group of desolate citizens spend their days and nights in Mallepa, a large refugee community located in the "Asian Special Economic Zone." Though brothers Sho and Shinji survive on the streets with a little resourcefulness and the help of friend Toshi, an encounter with wounded vampire Kei forever changes the course of their lives. Soon after taking Kei back to their hideout so that the desperate vampire may recover, an angry gangster shows up to reclaim a stolen briefcase full of cash. Although Kei is quick to make dinner out of the angry gangster, his efforts to keep his trio of friends from harm is too little too late when the determined gangster fires a fatal bullet into Shinji. When Sho and Toshi plan to rip off a rival gang a decade later, Kei follows and the team soon meets up with similar-minded Chinese troublemaker Son (Wang Lee Hom) and his sister Yi-Che (Zeny Kwok). Soon stalked by the revenge-thirsting rival gang, the trio lose track of their bloodsucking friend in the ensuing melee. It's not long before Sho and Son have a falling out and end up in rival gangs, but can the re-emergence of condemned vampire Kei be enough to bring the two old friends back on the same side of the fence again? ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

79% liked it

1,492 ratings

Unrated, 1 hr. 55 min.

Directed by: Takahisa Zeze

Release Date: April 12, 2004

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DVD Release Date: May 18, 2004

Stats: 177 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (177)

  • Gx7
    September 19, 2010
    Gx7
    Somewhat "like" a Japanese version of Interview with a Vampire. Japanese culture, japanese setting, wasnt that bad actually.
  • skactopus
    July 4, 2009
    skactopus
    Moon Child is a Japanese action drama mixed with some vampire science fiction.

    The plot is a tad weak in the early going, however the characters and action are good enough to keep this film from becoming a waste of time. At just under two hours, the story spans a good 4

    ... read more0+ years, with multiple jumps of months to years as the film progresses. The story also employs a mixture of Chinese and Japanese cultures as the characters interact in multiple languages, including some English.

    For the most part, the pacing is moderate as the action and vampire aspect don't play a major role until the ending. Speaking of the action, which is all gun play, it is quite entertaining, despite the fact that it feels a bit out of place from the rest of the movie.

    Both leads, Gackt and Hyde, are more known for their music, but they prove that they can act as well. Taro Yamamoto, of Battle Royale fame, Lee-Hom Wang, and Zeny Kwok portray the other big characters nicely. The lovely Anne Suzuki doesn't show up until the ending. This is unfortunate.

    Moon Child may not be a bloody action vampire flick, but this is still a movie worth checking out.
  • fb208103125
    December 14, 2010
    fb208103125
    Come on, Gackt and Hyde are in it!
  • dfduncan
    November 14, 2009
    dfduncan
    This movie could be described as a sci-fi gangster movie with a vampire bu thatt would also understate the case so much. The story goes in largely unexpected directions so often and is thoroughly engrossing. It is a good story, with lots of action and lots of drama, with interest... read moreing character development, and with relevant comment on social issues while maintaining a moral ambiguity that avoids cliched answers. The whole film is beautifully photographed throughout. The fight scenes are the usual ridiculously unbelievable but rather beautiful to watch scenes you expect from an Asian action film. The fight scenes also contain some great little bits of humor amidst the overblown action. The two leads are very charismatic and give fine performances. The acting in general is excellent and almost entirely avoids the sort of melodramatic overacting that is so common in Japanese movies. A truly excellent film.
  • Iamdeidara
    February 16, 2009
    Iamdeidara
    It is a fantastic movie. Hyde's does very well for his first movie. We got this cast because of Gackt's persistence. Thank you!! It is truly an all star cast.
  • stitchupmyemptiness1
    December 26, 2008
    stitchupmyemptiness1
    Two words: HYDE, Gackt. In the same movie. Add in vampires and gunfights, what's there NOT to like about this movie? I love the father-sonesque relationship between Sho and Kei. The ending song, "Orenji no Taiyou", which is sung by the two Japanese pop idols, is an incredibly bea... read moreutiful and moving end to the film.
  • bhaywa4
    September 29, 2008
    bhaywa4
    Any fan of Gackt and Hyde should see this movie. Great story with tons of action, not to mention Gackt and Hyde <3
  • teasingfool
    August 4, 2008
    teasingfool
    A wonderful movie about a small group of friends growing apart and eventually meeting up again at the end of their paths.

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Critic Reviews

Scott Weinberg
August 20, 2004
Scott Weinberg, Monsters At Play

Might prove a worthwhile curiosity to those who enjoy Asian horror/action colloids that are more interested in wacky style than in narrative cohesion. Full Review

Don Willmott
August 2, 2004
Don Willmott, Filmcritic.com

looks a lot more like a love story than a shoot-'em-up thriller. Full Review

Jordan Mintzer
March 3, 2011
Jordan Mintzer, Hollywood Reporter

Click to read the article Full Review

Derek Elley
May 19, 2008
Derek Elley, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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