Ramblings: Kagi no Kakatta Heya SP
I had a fill of Kagi no Kakatta Heya SP ramblings from the internet. A lot were expecting more from the story like highlighting Enomoto's past and showing a different side of him which will elicit sympathy from the viewing public. But because none of these expectations appeared, those fans were disappointed. Yes. That was human interest not addressed.
For a while, I thought that the fans may be right. Enomoto Kei may have appealed a lot more acceptable had the audience caught a glimpse of his dark past or whatever you may call it. But that was before I've watched the SP. Thanks to those generous fansubbers and diligent uploaders I was able to watch the SP earlier than expected. What happened then was 0 frustration and 95% admiration for the SP's production and the locked room trick.
Well, for one the lighting of the whole series rocks! See the shape and shadows and highlights of faces? The lights men and director did a great job accenting each shape and showing vivid colors of set and people alike. Another aesthetic show-off were the shots. A bird's eye view, a track left there and a worm's eye view here, a perspective shot that will send chills to your spine, the necessary close ups, and establishing shots that stayed in the frame for more than 3 seconds but effectively told the story the director want to convey. Everything about the shots and lighting were carefully planned and meticulously executed it turned out much pleasant to the eye.
Visuals aside, the music was also perfect. A lot were used earlier for the series but all still went well. The scoring was brilliant. Say, when a pause is necessary it conveys a story. And the climax with the music lifts up the mood.
Jumping to the story, I thought that it was common. I've liked the final episode of the series more because of their poetic dialogues about glasses and standing behind it. But I was really amazed by the SP's last trick. It was artsy and evil. Phew! Humans are weaker to sin when they are insulted for what they believe they're excellent at. But the way the whole trick was revealed had me full to the belly. Enomoto Kei won the day and my heart again.
I had this to say about the emotions some fans are mumbling about: KnKH is not a drama where tears play a major role. It is for the geek, the curious, and the boyish. And I loved it for that. Detective stories are all about solving problems and guessing the culprit. But KnKH differ in a way that you won't guess who the culprit is but rather how the locked room trick was made and I want to congratulate the show's production for sustaining that kind of system all throughout the series. It is more mind boggling to think of the trick than the criminal in this drama and that fact made me love it. I couldn't care less about Enomoto's past being spoon fed to the audience. The last part where Enomoto sells those stuff says it all. And that's his dark side. And it will make you wonder what will happen next. I guess there's really no need for emotions.
I just noticed that the SP's a little cramped because 3 cases must be resolved for 2 hours. The pacing is a little too fast, considering the tons of lines that the viewers must absorb. Nevertheless, the characters carried out their roles well that a lot of words are not really needed. Thanks to the actors and actresses who played their roles well.
Well, Enomoto will remain flat. But look in his eyes and you'll see just how good Ohno Satoshi acted out the part of a thief lock geek. His eyes talk. LOUDER than those long, tiring lines. Viewers don't need to look for an emotional Enomoto. The emotions are right there showing from the windows of his soul.