Takeshi, don't!

There are Asian singer-actors better than Takeshi Kaneshiro.

There's the dependable HK-based Tony Leung Chiu Wai who can do drama (Wong Kar Wai's 2046), action (Infernal Affairs), or both (Zhang Yimou's Hero)–and still not take himself too seriously (My Lucky Star, Chinese Odyssey 2002). There's Korean superstar Rain (Bi), who is versatile and effective on TV (Sangdoo! Let's Go to School, Full House, A Love to Kill) and on the concert stage. Even pop poster boy Jay Chou's no-acting-required role in Initial D worked out very well.

So why do I like this Chinese-Japanese guy from Taiwan when his emotional range seems fairly limited? Watch Returner, Lavender, Turn Left Turn Right–all rather flat and one-dimensional portrayals.

I guess Takeshi's long hair becomes him most of the time, that's all.

But if there's something he should never do, it's to go back to singing and dancing. When I saw this, it took me only a few seconds to understand why he left his career as a recording artist for acting.