Samuel L. Jackson’s ‘Kite’ Remake: A Legendary Flop That No One Remembers!

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Adaptations of anime into live-action movies, particularly those not originally made in Japan, can be unpredictable. Some, like the 2019 release “Alita: Battle Angel,” are successful. However, for every such success, there are flops like “Dragon Ball Evolution” (2009) and “Death Note” (2017). One adaptation, in particular, was so poorly executed that it failed to generate any significant debate among fans and quickly faded into obscurity: the 2014 movie “Kite.

Lovers of the 1998 anime “Kite” might have predicted that an adaptation would be fated from the start. However, Samuel L. Jackson, who is well-known for being a fan of anime and particularly fond of “Kite,” lent his name to the project before any other actor. Interestingly, Jackson’s reputation is based on his willingness to take eccentric roles, but even so, “Kite” failed to provide that, making it one of the worst movies in his career. It currently holds a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The ‘Kite’ Anime Should Have Never Been Remade

To grasp why the 2014 adaptation of ‘Kite’ didn’t succeed, it’s essential to revisit the original 1998 anime. In this animated series by Yasuomi Umetsu, we follow Sawa, a girl whose parents are brutally murdered when she was still a child. She is then taken under the protection of corrupt police who mold her into an assassin for hire. During the day, Sawa disguises herself as a high school student to blend in. There, she makes a friend in another assassin named Oburi, both sharing similar fates. However, their dreams of escaping this deadly life are short-lived as they are eventually ordered to eliminate each other.

The movie version of Kite is renowned not just for its plot but also for other aspects. While the story isn’t what made the original Kite anime infamous or iconic, it was still well-written and the shocking ending was effective. However, the violence in the film, particularly the gunfire that causes explosions, earned it acclaim. The action sequences, even decades later, are still impressive, with the bathroom shootout scene being particularly noteworthy. Kite is known for its abundance of style, and it became a defining work for those attracted to the more sensational anime from the ’90s.

In parallel, the movie’s portrayal and objectification of teenagers, along with its sexual elements, has earned it much criticism. Kite, over time, gained a reputation as a ‘notable’ piece, but with a significant warning about its explicit content. The anime was prohibited in numerous countries, possibly enhancing its notoriety, as it circulated widely among horror, cult, and anime enthusiasts on peer-to-peer networks. Before streaming became popular, it had already acquired legendary status. However, the provocative material was never intended for adaptation.

2014’s ‘Kite’ Was a Complete Failure

In a tricky situation, any filmmaker would have found it challenging to replicate the unique style and controversial elements of the original anime. To begin with, the intense action from the anime couldn’t be replicated realistically; the depiction of explosive firearms did not translate well into reality. Secondly, explicit sexual content had to be removed due to its mature nature, which also led to the removal of storylines involving abuse and manipulation through sex. This left them with a generic plot that attempted to incorporate as much of the original material as possible but failed to recreate what made the anime a cult classic.

In the American adaptation, the narrative shifted to portray drug addiction as the driving force behind Sawa’s fixation on her manipulator, Lieutenant Karl Aker (portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson). Despite being one of the initial cast members, Jackson’s performance was disappointingly lackluster, devoid of his signature charisma and captivating lines. The action sequences fell flat, the cuts were uneven, and the film lost its impact and any depth with a foreseeable conclusion.

What makes this adaptation particularly problematic is that it retains the fetishistic elements, but eliminates the aspects that made them reprehensible in the original anime.

In terms of production, the movie encountered challenges that prevented it from reaching the big screen. For instance, the director David R. Ellis, known for ‘Snakes on a Plane’, unfortunately passed away, causing the project to be handed over to Ralph Ziman who had limited experience in action movies. To work around the $12 million budget, they opted for a ‘shaky camera’ style and used blurring during editing which paradoxically emphasized rather than concealed their financial limitations. Unfortunately, the movie didn’t resonate with test audiences, forcing a change in the initial plan for wide distribution to a limited run instead. As a result, it earned only $507,180 globally.

Samuel L. Jackson’s Involvement in ‘Kite’

Contrary to some claims suggesting Samuel L. Jackson joined the project for a quick buck, his dedication extends beyond monetary gains. Initially drawn to the film as a fan of the genre, Jackson acknowledged its hentai (adult anime) nature, yet showed appreciation for its artistic aspects. In an interview with Comics Online in 2014, it’s clear that Jackson was annoyed with the production issues but stayed committed. A nod to his cultural sophistication: “Ah, you too appreciate the finer things in life, don’t you?

For years, I’ve enjoyed the narrative from both books and animated series. I first learned about it when David was involved, at which point I expressed my interest in participating. Once I decide to take on a project, I stick with it until completion, and I’m glad I did this time as well. It brings me joy to contribute to a story that resonates with me. While we didn’t deliver the intensity I envisioned, the fact that it has been told is what matters most now.

For numerous viewers, the 2014 film “Kite” serves primarily as a cautionary tale about adapting contentious material in shifting times and a minor note in the exceptional resume of Samuel L. Jackson. Despite this, “Kite” provides an underpar performance by Samuel L. Jackson, which was largely not his fault. I appreciate his dedication, but for those who made an effort to watch “Kite,” it was indeed a regrettable choice and should be avoided.

If you’re one of the few curious souls who want to see it, I can verify that it was a misstep best forgotten as a lesson on what not to do. You can catch “Kite (2014)” on Starz, while the original 1998 anime is available on Tubi. The edited version without hentai elements offers a more enjoyable viewing experience.

Here’s the link to watch it: [Link to Kite (2014)]

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2025-04-09 03:34