Never knew until watching the movie “GS Wonderland” that Japan even had a “Group Sound” period with Japanese bands copping the sounds and style of bands like the Beatles or the Monkees. In hindsight, it makes sense when you consider how devout some Japanese kids are with rock music and its many fads. This is especially so when you consider such things as the popularity of the Fuji Rock Festival, ¥3,000 CD prices, and the extensive list of films based around rock music. Just over the last couple of years alone, we’ve received such films as the death metal inspired comedy “Detroit Metal City,” all girls rock “Linda Linda Linda,” punk rock comedy “The Shonen Merikensack,” 70’s rock “Fish Story,” avant garde rock film “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” and even hip-hop influenced films like “Check It Out, Yo!” & “SR: Saitama’s Rapper.” With “GS Wonderland” the film attempts a feel good comedy set within the distinct late 1960’s period and headlined by actress Chiaki Kuriyama of “Kill Bill” & “Battle Royale” fame.

In “GS Wonderland,” aspiring musicians Shun Masamiya (Hiro Mizushima) and Kenta Kashiwabara (Yosuke Asari) are fooled by frontman of popular local band “The Knuckles” to seek out Paul McCartney and Ringo Star in the rural countryside of Akita Prefecture. The two gullible men then spend months looking hopelessly for their rock idols in Akita Prefecture.

A few months later Shun and Kenta seek revenge on “The Knuckles” by bum-rushing their backstage room and attacking them with 2×4’s. In the room, another wanna be rock musician Masao Kigawa (Takuya Ishida) is also asking for the help of The Knuckles and he is getting the story about the Beatles in Akita Prefecture. After Shun and Kenta barge into the room and are chased out by security personnel, Masao follows the two odd men out onto the street. The three men then talk about their love for music and desire to be in rock band. The trio decide then & there to form their very own band “The Diamonds.”

Fortuitously for “The Diamonds,” during their first rehearsal talent agent Ryosuke Kajii overhears the band perform and happens to be in need of a band in the “Group Sound” genre. The trio are immediately signed to a record contract. Problem for “The Diamonds” is that they are a three piece band and Ryosuke’s boss wants a four piece band with a keyboardist. Ryosuke then brings on Miku Ohno (Chiaki Kuriyama). the only keyboardist he knows. Unfortunately for Miku, the Group Sound is known exclusively for male performers and Miku is a girl. Because of this, Ryosuke introduces Miku as Mick. …

“GS Wonderland” does a nice job of recreating the sounds and look of the 1960’s, while the film features strong performances by all the members of “The Diamonds” (who later go on to become “The Tightsmen”). The story itself builds interest early on with the group’s formation, but once the band’s career gets off the ground. the movie stumbles and never delivers on the promise of its fun initial premise. What eventually turns out to be the movie’s Achilles heel is that “GS Wonderland” offers a lot of nice things, but doesn’t do any one thing in a special way. The comedy is sprite early on, but never gets to laugh out loud funny. The inevitable conflicts and drama that comes about in the screenplay never hits an appreciable high to make you feel truly engaged. The music itself is a bit of a dud, failing to offer a number that reverberates with the audience like “Linda Linda Linda” did in the movie of the same name. So what you’re left with in “GS Wonderland” is a nice film, standing out for its recreation of the Japanese Group Sound period, but becomes immediately forgettable for its lack of zing or pizazz. Ultimately, “GS Wonderland” might appeal to fans Chiaki Kuriyama and of music films in general. The film residing in perpetual second gear will hold the film back for the rest.