Updated Review #11: Cyborg Girl (aka Cyborg She)

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: At the end of his life, a man sends his cyborg companion back in time to his younger self in the hope he will teach her how to be more human.

Review: Not going to lie, my original review for this film was a mess. On top of that, I did not do my girl, Haruka Ayase, the justice she needed! But, before we get ahead of ourselves, I have to address the odd nature of this film's existence. Of course it's a romance film first and foremost, but the audience targeted appears to be dorky guys. How is that supposed to work? Sure, chicks will like this too, but it's not appealing to them in a conventional manner beyond dealing with romance plot elements. I would imagine a lot of girls finding this creepy since the love interest isn't even a human technically. Eh...I like it. In fact, this is one of my favorite romance films; though, that's a short list anyway. And, as much as I oppose marriage, if some sexy chickadee like Ms. Ayase was willing to travel across time to be with me, you bet your sweet ass I'd make a few concessions for her. Finally, for clarity's sake, I will refer to the cyborg as Haruka from here on out and the actress as Ms. Ayase. This is because the movie oddly never names the cyborg. Needless to say, that irks me.

Uhmmm!

First up, let's go over what exactly is the romance going on here. Jiro is a lonely geek who meets a mysterious and beautiful woman on his birthday. After the two hit it off the girl disappears until the following year. The difference is that now the girl is a cyborg sent back in time by his future self; Haruka's design is based off the mystery girl. Future Jiro became rich right at the same time he was shot and paralyzed by a deranged gunman. Haruka changes this timeline's outcome, and the hope is to make her become human as future Jiro did not complete her until he was old. The majority of the film demonstrates the ups and downs of their budding relationship which is kept G-rated for the most part. In the background Haruka is altering other events of time that involved unnecessary deaths that affected future Jiro. After much bonding, Jiro worries that Haruka is hopelessly mechanical. Jiro screws everything up when he tries to find a regular girl and tells Haruka to go away. Realizing that he's an idiot--because, well, that's the dumbest idea ever--Jiro misses Haruka and realizes he misunderstood the way she shows her feelings. Unfortunately, it all ends in tragedy when an, almost prophetic, earthquake devastates Japan. Jiro is saved by Haruka who sacrifices herself in the destruction. Meticulously reconstructing Haruka over the decades, she is revived once Jiro has become an old man, and he dies with her by his side. But it's not over yet. The original mystery girl was in fact from the future herself and was always moved by Jiro's relationship for Haruka...which was based on her all along. Wait, what?! After setting this paradox into motion, the future girl decides she will stay in the past with Jiro since she has fallen in love with him through merging her memories with Haruka's. I promise it comes off less sci-fi-ish when you watch it!

Not sure what she's doing...but it's working!

I'll quickly run through the way the various timelines work, because it can be confusing (and I still could be wrong). Timeline 1: Jiro becomes rich, crippled, and builds a cyborg he loves. Either that or he does something that gains the attention of future girl. Timeline 2: Jiro meets future girl and bases Haruka on her. Everything else happens the same as Timeline 1. Timeline 3 (the film's events): Jiro meets future girl, is given Haruka in his youth, does not become crippled, and dies with Haruka at his side. Timeline 4 (the film's ending): the same as Timeline 3 except future girl decides to be with Jiro, and we can assume they live happily ever after. And yes, this universe is working in the logic of parallel universes since Haruka does not negate her own existence by altering the timeline; however, future girl's first time travel visit does create a paradox.

Well, if anyone is going to invent sexy robot girls it will definitely be Japan.

What makes this film so great is the successful blend of multiple genres. Obviously the romance is top priority, but the comedy is surprisingly well done, the sci-fi aspects are never far from the plot, and the drama keeps you engaged. The other factor that pulls it together is that the leads have great chemistry with one another. Ms. Ayase shows a lot of range and looks gorgeous the entire time. Although...I wish she didn't have that wig-looking hairdo. Keisuke Koide, playing Jiro, pulls off the dork character admirably yet never becomes annoying with it. He is a bit wimpy for my taste, but Japanese dramas often portray these guys that desperately "need a woman's touch." The actors play off one another's personalities for many great scenes. There is a playful innocence to their romance that diminishes that creepy factor you might imagine if the tone were darker. Sure, Jiro addresses banging Haruka comically, but he gets shot down and remains quite respectful toward her the entire film. More so, the film makes you forget that Haruka isn't even human--she's just that lovable. It probably goes without saying, but the story tries to tug on your heartstrings a few times; for example, when we learn about Jiro's childhood, all the horrible things that future Jiro wanted changed, and, of course, when Haruka dies. Another feat worth acknowledging is that the running time is around two hours yet you never feel it; the pacing is right on track. Lastly, the closing song is incredibly powerful and moving--it certainly channels the emotions of the film.

This lucky bastard and his sexy, time traveling immortal superhero girlfriend!

While they are not significant, I want to mention the few missteps. Admittedly, the story can come off insincere if you focus on Haruka being a cyborg. Likewise, future girl taking her place can feel cheap in a way. Not giving either the cyborg or future girl a name baffles me. Is there supposed to be significance to that decision or was it merely a nod to "My Sassy Girl?" After all, they had the same director. That hairdo seriously annoys me! Like...I want to fight someone over it. That was not the best style for my dear Ms. Ayase, and the dye isn't doing any favors. Other than that, my one legitimate complaint was the forced nature of Jiro and Haruka's separation for a period. Every scene leading up to their argument showed Haruka becoming more and more human and emotional with Jiro yet we are to believe she would then lie about it to Jiro? To what end? Plus, how did Jiro survive the earthquake the first time without Haruka? Maybe altering time created the earthquake!

Yeah...you know that hair sucks too, but I still love ya. Just don't tell Rika!

Overall, this is a great film that many have missed the chance to experience. If there is a chick flick I think you could easily convince a guy to try out, this might be the one. There is enough action going on to keep the guy's interest, and you have a sexy, dreamlike woman as the love interest (just don't get jealous). Beyond that, the pacing is solid, the chemistry between the actors is great, and the special effects are surprisingly good. The romance successfully ranges from comical to funny to sad all with precision execution. I definitely recommend couples checking this one out for V-day (assuming you don't want to give "My Bloody Valentine" a shot).

Notable Moment: When the cyborg fights some random thugs after first time traveling. The references to "The Terminator" were thoroughly amusing.

Final Rating: 7.5/10