Initial D: Revving, Drifting, and a Dash of Nostalgia

Alright, get your seatbelt on! Today, we’re deep diving into “Initial D”—a petrol-smelling joyride of a film made famous by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak. Ah, them two gents always find ways to surprise us, eh? And with stars like Jay Chou—who I still see more as a pop star, but hey—the leap to acting wasn’t half bad.

Now, let’s be real here. The film’s plot is more predictable than a Swedish weather forecast. Typical underdog story with Takumi, this kid who doesn’t really care about cars, but is somehow a drifting god. It’s initially a bit of a head-scratcher. Maybe it’s just like how we Swedes are with dancing—suddenly amazing after a few shots of schnapps at midsummer. But there’s charm in how the story unfolds, even if it feels like I’ve seen it all before in other racing flicks.

The visuals, well, they’re something else. The roaring engines, the screeching tires on the Mountain routes—it’s like hearing Abba while you’re driving on a winding road to Dalarna. You just can’t help but get caught up in it. But the dialogue, let’s just say, it’s as dry as a burnt clove bread. I found myself chuckling at how serious it all was at times. C’mon, life’s too short not to laugh!

Funny thing, this film reminds me of late nights with my pals, be-seriously competing in Gran Turismo after a few rounds of card games. It’s more about the camaraderie and less about who’s winning, you know? That’s the essence of Initial D, even if it sometimes feels like a deja vu.

So, if you’re a petrolhead or just wanna relive those gaming nights—or just curious how an 80s’ Toyota can still steal the show—give it a whirl. Might not change your life, but you’ll have a good time. Fasten your seatbelt, feel the engines roar, och låt oss dra på en liten roadtrip.

Check the trailer below