Initial D is a live-action film based on the popular Japanese Initial D anime and manga. Overall, the Initial D movie stays true to the original story line and does a good job bringing the characters to life. The cars drifting and beautiful visuals during the race scenes are my favorite parts of the movie.

Like the anime and manga, the Initial D movie focuses on the life of tofu delivery boy Takumi Fujiwara (Jay Chou) and his AE86 Toyota Corolla. Under the guidance of his father and ex-racer Bunta (Anthony Wong), Takumi has delivered tofu to the top of Mount Akina for sometime and as a result, has developed serious drifting skills.

One night while making deliveries, Takumi’s Corolla is spotted drifting along the touge. After blasting by a local street racer driving the more powerful Nissan Skyline, Takumi is dubbed “God of Mount Akina.” Although unidentified at the time, an all out search takes place to find the driver of the AE86.

Once Takumi is identified, ultimately street racers challenge him. Even though challengers bring faster cars than Takumi’s AE86, Takumi has the skills and experience needed to beat them on Mount Akina.

In between races, the script focuses on Takumi’s strained relationship with girlfriend Natsuki, who secretly engages in compensated dating. Other scenes include comical exchanges between Takumi and his father and friend Itsuki Tachibana (Itsuki Takeuchi in the original series). Later on Takumi and leader of the Red Suns Ryousuke Takahashi build a friendship.

Although the live action Initial D film has mixed reviews from hardcore fans, I would recommend it to anyone familiar with the Initial D franchise or fans of The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. The Initial D movie has won 8 awards and 10 nominations from Asian film festivals and enjoys an impressive cast of famous Chinese actors.

Produced by Japan’s Avex Inc. and the Hong Kong Media Asia Group, Initial D was first released June 23, 2005 in Asia. Directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak, whose credits include the 2002 Hong Kong Blockbuster Infernal Affairs and 1999 street racing film The Legend of Speed.

Main Cast:
Jay Chou - Takumi Fujiwara
Anthony Wong - Bunta Fujiwara
Edison Chen - Ryosuke Takahashi
Anne Suzuki - Natsuki Mogi
Shawn Yue - Takeshi Nakazato
Chapman To - Itsuki Tachibana
Kenny Bee - Yuichi Tachibana
Jordan Chan - Kyouichi Sudou
Will Liu - Seiji Iwaki