Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2011

One of the biggest things Japanese film is criticized for recently is its lack of originality. Well, that’s pretty much on display here, despite the filmmakers’ attempt to throw as many monkey wrenches and surprises into the works as possible. Picture this: a bank robbery may have been committed by five guys in dark suits who are now stuck together in a closed building. Sound like anything? If you got Reservoir Dogs you pass American ’90s indies 101. The set up is totally derivative and from there flashbacks use animal head masks on the robbers instead of names based on colors. The plot, such as it is, has our protagonists being monitored on video and introduces one “stunning revelation” after another. Naturally there are confrontations, violence and ridiculous twists, not to mention our old friend amnesia. All these devices are notable for their lack of any dramatic or emotive power. Reminiscent of 2009’s Kaiji, where a powerful man plays trapped workers psychologically; Shuffle also has its mystery boss “Mr. Yamashita.” Pure tripe. (119 min)