Fox Japan is the most heavy-handed because they are a foreign company.

Not quite sure how you reached that conclusion - it seems to me that the truth is more along the lines that Fox are heavy-handed because (as occasionally hinted in episodes of The Simpsons) they're dicks. And, as the brief reference made to Toei highlights, it isn't just foreign companies who pull this kind of nonsense in Japan.

What amuses me is the claim Machiyama makes about Fox not wanting potential viewers to be turned-off by Episode III's bleak storyline. I'd been under the impression that, after the drippy, softcore Episodes I and II, this was the main thing it had going for it. Certainly, prior to the film's release, the IMDB board was positively overflowing with people salivating about how "dark" Sith promised to be.

I'd been under the impression that, after the drippy, softcore Episodes I and II, this was the main thing it had going for it

Film marketing in Japan is not quite so sophisticated. It's about getting as many people in the theater in possible, which means trying to convince couples on dates to see the movie. If it's "dark" or "political," that will only appeal to core fans, who'd probably see it anyway.

True. I guess this ties in with the movie title rewrite phenomenon you wrote about last month. I imagine, too, that the sappy romantic bullshit that turned a lot of people off Episode II in the west was one of that movie's prime selling points over here. Hee hee.

As for things being "dark" or "political" - well, I guess it's still pretty nuanced. A lot of mainstream films probably fare better without getting tarred with that particular brush, but there are obvious exceptions - cf. リング、呪怨、 Fahrenheit 9/11, etc.

Dudes,

there's a Momus Fashion Goth Rant Remix Contest going on over in LiveJournal.

Remixologists: why not, like, toss in your hat?

[quote] Film marketing in Japan is not quite so sophisticated. It's about getting as many people in the theater in possible, which means trying to convince couples on dates to see the movie. If it's "dark" or "political," that will only appeal to core fans, who'd probably see it anyway. [/quote]

Yeah, I hear that everyone thought Titanic was a romantic comedy...

Actually, I'm with Jrim on this one. Fox are dicks. (However I wouldn't be surprised if other companies were doing something similar in some industries - but I'm sure they'd take you out to lunch at least to discuss possible changes!)

The irony is that them saying all that stuff would make a great article - particularly in a movie magazine. (Of course, you'd never be able to publish with (good) photos again... )

Quote from JMR: "Sure, people complain about having to submit their writing to be checked and that it's edited, but I think that's unavoidable, because the level of writers differs and there are some people who just don't abide by the rules. There are some writers, who if you let them do what they want, will think nothing of writing outrageous things ... For that reason, some amount of editorial intervention is necessary." (bolding mine)

Boy aint that just the truth! Its always some renegade jerk out to cause confusion who spoils it for the rest of us. Note: "confusion" has become a gag word amongst us wetbacks at the big Japanese company that I work for. Its the word most often used by management to quell any improvements. What makes it more funny is that same thing has been going on here for a very long time as anyone who has read "Tokyo Underworld" will know.

Anyways I tend to sway with the "Fox are dicks" theory on this one. They knew that the Japan release was the last gasp to add to the box office totals and god forbid they would let some no account journalist get in the way of their take.

I'm not convinced it all should be blamed on Fox Japan, though. While their PR man could very well be downplaying things (or worse), the middle men, the publications and people between the writers and Fox, were probably concerned about souring their relationship with a big studio when they may not have had to worry at all (or as much). Hence, some pieces ran with political/dark content and others were chopped -- there was no clear mandate at Fox regarding review content. And why are the editors of these other magazines remaining anonymous? The 1999 photo parody example doesn't lend any cred to the conspiracy -- any company would object to image doctoring like this, especially around the time of the release. Back when T2 was released, there was a rinky-dink photocopied fanzine out of NYC that got a cease and desist for playing around with official imagery and ad copy.

I don't doubt Fox and other studios put spin on things like any other corporate entity with millions at stake, but please...Machiyama could have his unedited masterpiece scroll up the Alta screen for 2 weeks straight and it wouldn't be a mosquito bite on the b.o. figures.

Still, it is always right to question the practices of large companies. Good for JMR and here for keeping the story alive. It's got legs.

Episode III -- great finale to the series.

Machiyama could have his unedited masterpiece...

Okay, that was a bit harsh -- no need to single out one writer. My point was that I don't think Fox or any other big studio is worried enough to go line by line through a critic's review. Their concern is in proportion to how much reviews could affect b.o., which is not much, especially in Japan.