Anime Boredom - Conduct Zero anime reviews

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Conduct Zero

You may have noticed this isn't anime. It isn't even an animation. Nope. Conduct Zero is a live-action romantic comedy from Korean director Cho Keun-sik. Now, I'll admit that my experience with Korean cinema isn't exactly what you'd call great; I've only seen a few films such as Jungle Juice the now-defunct CNX TV channel aired during its short but sweet lifespan, after all. Yet Korea being a country neighbouring, and consequently influenced by, Japan (and vice-versa), it shouldn't surprise that output like Jungle Juice and Conduct Zero appeal to an audience outside their native country.

Conduct Zero might sound like a title from a Tom Clancy reject involving terrorists, lots of US government officials and presumably a big bomb of some kind, but it's actually a story about young Joong-pil, the Moondunk High Boss. Now, Joong-pil may not be the brightest or the most talented student at his school but he's got a fearsome reputation that keeps him at the top of the pile. Students snap to attention in his presence, his business operations are running smoothly (selling homemade grumble starring the Venus-A and Captain Harlock to kids) and he's not exactly short of female attention, either. Yet Joong-pil risks everything that his position as the Moondunk High Boss brings when he finds himself falling for the nerdy, unpopular Min-hee. And to make matters worse there's a rival to Joon-pil's throne who's been kicking up a fuss. As Joong-pil's would-be girlfriend puts it, he's in danger of becoming the 'Moondunk High Bitch' if he doesn't ditch the skirt and re-establish his position at the top of the pile.

Essentially a romantic comedy with overtones of the gross-out movies such as American Pie, Conduct Zero isn't exactly what you'd call innovative film-making. But what it lacks in originality Conduct Zero more than makes up for with its pleasantly off-key execution. The opening scene sets the tone with a computer-enhanced visualisation of the rumours that inflate Joong-pil's reputation as he fends off hundreds of Taekwondo students in a distinctly anime fashion. Whilst they're wonderfully realised and heaps of fun, unfortunately these scenes (of which there are only a few) represent the best Conduct Zero has to offer. The 'real world' in which the rest of the film takes place is an awkward mix of drama, romance and comedy that never quite comes together. The romantic elements are perhaps the most successful - Joong-pil's relationship with Min-hee is sweet if not entirely plausible - but unfortunately not nearly enough to distract you from Conduct Zero's most obvious flaw; it's simply not as funny as I'd hoped it would be.

ADV were technically correct in using the tag-line 'Definitely NOT just another teen movie' but even the use of 'teen movie' will suggest to most that Conduct Zero is the kind of film that will you have you giggling like a school girl after a barrage of puerile gags. Sadly the jokes are too few and far between to really satisfy the same audience that enjoyed Dude, Where's My Car? or (God forbid) Loser. To be fair Conduct Zero does offer a few laugh-out-loud moments and Joong-pil's inept mannerisms are always fun to watch, nevertheless I fear that the distinct lack of toilet humour will alienate a large proportion of its audience.

If you're willing to ignore this one slight downfall you may find that Conduct Zero has more to offer than a few fart gags. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Conduct Zero is its depiction of school life. Almost entirely devoid of adult influence (they're always shown, at a distance, as insignificant authority figures), Conduct Zero's world is filmed through the eyes of a typical student. Studies, homework and grades don't matter; girls/boys, music, fashion and popularity are all that occupy the mind of the average teen. It's the school rumour mill which fuels Joon-pil's popularity and his reputation that's particularly well executed here. These rumours are presented to us as though we were the students visualising the same events in his/her mind's eye; a gloriously over-the-top account which could only be the product of an active imagination. Throughout the film Joong-pil relies on this fearsome reputation for an easy ride, yet when we finally get to see this famous fighter in action we (and subsequently everyone in the entire school) suddenly realise the harsh truth; reality bares little resemblance to the fantasies presented to us in films and animation. It's an almost poignant finale that will surely be all too familiar to many.

Unfortunately the rest of the ending isn't so satisfactory. There are plenty of loose ends that are presumed tied thanks to a unhelpful Animal House-style epilogue; having spent the entire film developing these characters and their various stories a quick 'she became a scientist' is disappointing to say the least. The unlikely event of a sequel might help to explain a few unsolved mysteries but don't go holding your breath.

Conduct Zero isn't the thigh-slapping comedy I was hoping for, yet I did find myself enjoying it for other reasons. It's probably not the best introduction to Korean cinema (again, I'm no expert) but it does make me want to watch more. Which is a good thing.

R2 DVD Notes

Features: English 5.1 and Korean 2.0 audio, English subtitles, original Korean trailer, music video, movie highlights, image gallery, iron mask's student files, outtakes

Release information: UK: ADV, 2004

Notes: The extras a pretty nifty and include an original Korean trailer, a music video (does that music sound familiar to anyone?), a kind-of behind the scenes montage and an ill-advised 'outtakes' reel. The packaging is nicely presented with a colourful sepia collage on the front cover, a design which is mimicked throughout the presentation. The disc menus are particularly pretty, with plenty of animation and good use of that catchy music. It's not a perfect package - a director's commentary or a few interviews wouldn't have gone amiss - but it's pretty respectable nonetheless.

-- John Huxley 9th Jan 05

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