Moon Child (DVD, 2004)

“Moon Child” is a movie directed by Takahisa Zeze, and one of the script-writers was famous Japanese musician – Gackt Camui. The film is set mainly in China, futuristic city called Mallepa (Taipei was used as a set). The plot focuses on history of friendship of two extremely different people – Kei and Sho. The friendship, which sealed their fate.
The story begins with rather interesting introduction of Kei (Hideto Takari, known better as HYDE), who turns out to be a vampire. His companion of eternity committed a suicide and after years of loneliness, Kei desired one thing – death. However, he can’t die peacefully, because he meets young boy – Sho (Gackt Camui). An orphan, who is not afraid of him, even after realizing that Kei is not human. The vampire decides to take care of the boy and years afterwards, they are quite successful at robberies with Sho’s friend – Toshi (Taro Yamamoto). During on of the “jobs”, they meet Son (Lee-Hom Wang) with whom they become friends. But time shows them how fragile the friendship is and how unpredicted the violence, which linked them with each other, is.
Plot is fast-moving, yet it is still controversial. It is shows how relative issue the violence can be. It reflects on relationship in a world where crime rules. The movie shows how can violence become a connection between people and how easily can it turn back on you. What’s more, the plot involves the considerations of living forever and limits of human, who can’t bear loneliness. Hyde’s performance in that matter is out-standing and the realism of Gackt’s play can’t be overestimated – it’s absolutely fantastic.
“Moon Child” is a piece of art, showing how violence can be both creative and destructive power. And how two, as it seemed, different personalities can live together as friends and eventually turn out that the characters are much more alike than we though. The plot is so gripping and drawing in, that I bought this movie myself. And You should too.

As far as movies are concerned, there will be classics, flops, duds, and cult following. Moon Child could fall into two of these areas. Written, produced, and starring actor is one of Japan's greatest artist, Camui Gackt, and co-starring is J-Pop's Hyde.

The movie takes place in Japan at the end of the 21st century, Sho (Gackt) has a fateful encounter with Kei (Hyde) only to discover that Kei is a vampire and becomes his best friend. As the movie progresses further along we see that childhood friends become rivals, and to set things straight Sho and Kei make one last stand together.

It is a tale of love, sorrow, friendship, hope, and dispair. Certainly a must have for any Gackt or Hyde fan, and those who enjoy movies that aren't too mainstream.

The Japanese film Moon Child has many wonderful aspects to it, not the least of which are the political overtones that seem to be lost on the majority of American audiences. The cultural, ethnic and social climates of Asia are something of a mystery to the average John and Jane, but even if you are not versed in this topic, the movie is more than enjoyable. With beautiful performances from Gackt, HYDE, and Wang Leehom, the main roles leave nothing to be desired. The action sequences, strategically placed as they are, keep the audience enthralled while the dialogue has the intrigue for those who can enjoy such things.

The vampire subplot provides a new twist on the all-too-tired, "Underworld" delusion of the genre, while not coming off as absurd. More importantly, though, are the visuals. Moon Child has cinematography to die for, with visual metaphors present throughout. Along with these beautiful aspects, the film is also horribly quotable; not a month goes by when I do not at least think of a situation where a reference could be applied, while keeping it to myself as to not sound asinine to those around me who have not seen it yet.

While the plot can seem, at some times, cluttered, all of the different sides of the story seem to fully tie together neatly by the end. There are moments where heart strings will be tugged upon, and others where you will laugh your ass off ("you'll laugh, you'll cry," you know, the stereotypical good review).

I originally bought Moon Child because Hyde from L'Arc~en~ciel and Gackt (formerly Malice Mizer) were in it. I read mixed reviews from Amazon and became intrigued. The premise of the movie being a bit in the future and running a drugged pizza restaurant was not that appealing, but I risked buying the movie anyway. It turned out to have some exceptional acting, drama, humor, and a good connection between the characters. The action sequences involve lots of guns, high jumping vampires, and some humorous lines. Overall the action was not the best original action scenes, but can be appreciated. The romance between the characters was done very well. Hyde plays our Angsty vampire, and Gackt plays a protege to him. I really enjoyed the film and was surprised myself. I think he painting in the movie was the philosophical part of it( if you watch you will understand). Overall it has everything good bunched up into one! I plan on watching it again, hope you enjoy Moon Child!

I rented this movie several years ago because Hyde is in it, and now I bought it. It has a good story, and Gackt's and Hyde's acting is very good. I didn't think the acting of some of the other characters was that great, but it didn't ruin the movie. I think Hyde was the perfect role for the vampire Kei. I really liked how strong the friendship was between the two main chracters, Sho and Kei (Gackt and Hyde). The movie is very emotional. Some parts of it are really sad, and other parts are funny. I especially loved the ending. I recommend Moonchild to anyone who likes Hyde, Gackt, or enjoys watching Japanese movies.