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45 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Totally GORE-RIFIC!! Tokyo is Burning with the Wild Blend of "Pink" Violence and Blood-Splattering EFX!, December 28, 2008
From the producers of "Machine Girl" and "Death Trance" comes a film that is so outrageously bizarre, full of "pink" violence, blood-splattering horror effects, TRULY bizarre characters, that will definitely make some people stop the film, others will cheer, but no one can deny that the film is brilliant in a very different and original way. If you think you are ready for "TOKYO GORE POLICE" then you have another think coming. Once you see the film's opening act of dismembered full frontal nudity with lots of blood and gore, you may get the idea that you are in for something very unusual. So, Do I have your attention yet??
In a far distant future, Tokyo's police force have been privatized and they are locked in constant combat with a group of genetically enhanced killers called "Engineers". These genetically modified super-murderers can bio-infuse their open wounds with weapons, turning self-mutilation into combat form. Ruka (Eihi Shiina, Audition) is the daughter of the police chief's murdered right-hand man, is now the police corporation's top engineer hunter. With cold-blooded efficiency, she cuts through the psychotic engineers and leaves them very dead. Nothing can keep her from her duty, that is until she encounters a mysterious engineer called the "key man" and she learns the truth behind her father's death.
"Tokyo Gore Police" is the directorial debut of Yoshihiro Nishimura, the same man who is responsible for the effects and make up for "Machine Girl", the man had brainstormed with Sion Sono for "Strange Circus", and if those two films are any indication, you can imagine just how outrageous and chaotic this film can get. I am at a lost for words, this film had left me almost speechless. Nishimura definitely pulled out all the stops in his debut film, but unlike "Machine Girl" which felt almost like a humorous, gore-riddled stunt show, "Tokyo Gore Police" manages to execute everything with a straight face and what you will get is something no one would expect. The film is a thematic affair, and the film is very dark--in a very pleasant way.
Amid all the brutality, dismemberment, blood and a whole lot of GORE, the film has a commentary on the excesses of society that may lead to its collapse. The TV commercials give a hint of the film's current popular culture with the products they sell. Apparently, suicide and self-mutilation is the "in" thing amid the teens and video game consoles such as the Wii have games that allow the player to mutilate and kill within the comfort of one's own home. The film also borrows the element from "Robocop" regarding the idea of a corporation that runs a city's police force. The police force's uniform bears a resemblance to ancient samurai armor and western elements. (except for Ruka, who wears a sexy uniform--somewhat dominatrix style). The self-mutilation idea may have been lifted from Cronenberg via "Existenz" and the film's look and feel is definitely anime-inspired; the imagery may have a little bit of a comic "bookish" atmosphere.
The film definitely has a lot of things to say and it would be very easy for the viewer to shut off his brain and let the violent (if campy) imagery just wash over him. The film has its share of outrageous and oddball characters; there's a freaky bondage club, there's a snail woman (who may be a Yokai character), there`s even some hinted S & M. Then if we begin to talk about shocking images and gore, then nothing to this day may equal "Tokyo Gore Police". Blood just drops like a strong rainfall; there're boobies that spew acid and ones with teeth, one man has literally a cannon for his male genitalia, a huge deathtrap of a female genitalia, organic bullets, knives, blades, brains being cut open, penises being bitten off--you name it, this film has it. The film is remarkably INSANE.
The action scenes are quite reminiscent of "Machine Girl" but dare I say, it does succeed where the former failed. A bazooka and splattering blood are used to propel oneself that adds somewhat to its silliness and outrageousness. These are not negative comments but the film lives and stays aloft on this style. There are some uses of slow-motion in the action, and it is not so much as how hard-hitting it is, as to how bloody and gory one action scene may get. The make-up efx go from a pure "camp" to quite bizarre with the blood splattering all over the place including the camera view. (it does minimize CGI blood and uses old-fashioned prosthetics and red ink). The film's tone takes on some serial killer elements to a cautionary tale of fascistic and social paranoia with restrained aggression, with some competitive subtle quips about China and Japan.
The film's plot may not be complex, and the screenplay isn't without its flaws. Some of its elements may seem a little tiresome after awhile but it does display director Nishimura's potential as a filmmaker. Keep in mind that this is first directorial assignment, and it is no fault of his that some of the film's storytelling is unrefined and feels a little convoluted. Eihi Shiina is very fitting as the film's lead. The woman is as cold and emotionless as in "Audition". However, Shiina exhibits a particular type of sex appeal that's both frightening and alluring. Ruka's character is a woman sworn to her duty and manages to shut off almost everything in this chaotic Tokyo. Her past is told in the form of flashbacks (as with most of the film's character developments) and her one link to order and sanity is her relationship to a kindly bar owner (Ikuko Sawada).
"Tokyo Gore Police" wasn't exactly what I expected but boy, it was one fun ride. It was far more than I wanted to see or prepared myself for. The film is definitely NOT FOR EVERYONE, the film delivers its outright silliness and "mutated campiness" with a serious tone; that while it may seem funny--once you take it all in, it is a lot DARKER and bizarre than what it was at first impression. This type of film just doesn't give a smile nor will it get a thumbs up from mainstream audiences--you know why? Because of all the cut-off limbs, mutated and disemboweled body parts, the film would probably have everything torn away in PURE Bloody fashion. The only thing the film may be missing is a "rainbow", only instead of colors it would be made from blood.
Again, watch it if you dare....
Recommended Timidly but a HIGHLY Recommended rating to fans of Japanese cinema and Blood/Gore.
[4- Stars]
Note: There is a very strong hint that this is Yoshihiro Nishimura's first installment of blood and gore.
Video/audio: 1.77 ratio anamorphic widescreen. Great transfer for Tokyo Shock. Colors and blacks are radiant and strong, but some scenes have more grain than others. 5.1 Dolby Digital and 2.0 Surround Japanese and English language tracks. The English subtitles are excellent.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Another flawed Media-Blasters blu-ray, April 20, 2011
Tokyo Gore Police is a fun movie - it's one of the recent "over the top, super-gore" films coming out of Japan (Machine Girl, Mutant Girls Squad, Robo-Geisha, Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl, Meatball Machine, Samurai Princess, Hard Revenge Milly), and I think the names should be enough to tell you that these aren't going to be high-class art films. These movies are generally made on a lower budget, with a focus on trying to "top" the other movies in terms of craziness, and Tokyo Gore Police does a good job at that. If you've seen Kill Bill, these movies are over the top in a similar way as the Crazy 88's fight sequence in the first movie - blood splattering and parts flying everywhere. If you liked that, these movies are for you. If you didn't, just move on now.
For more information on this movie, I would suggest reading some of the reviews from the DVD page: Tokyo Gore Police. It's a love-it-or-hate-it type of movie.
I loved it - even bought 3 different versions of it, and that's part of where my problem is.
Media Blasters/Tokyo Shock have been releasing multiple versions of these films, each with numerous problems (usually release a movie-only version, following it up a couple months later with a Movie+Extras version (in the case of Tokyo Gore Police, a 2nd disc of short films), and then either a 3rd release (Movie+Extras+More Extras.. or a Blu-Ray)). Machine Girl is getting a total of 4 releases, this Blu-Ray is Tokyo Gore Police's 3rd release and it seems like a step back.
The most obvious problem is that this is listed as a 2-disc set on the back of the case, featuring the extras: TOKYO GORE POLICE SHORT FILM COLLECTION, ORIGINAL TRAILER, OPENING DIGEST. Opening the case, you'll immediately notice it's a 1-disc set, and the only extras are the theatrical trailer and some other Media Blasters/Tokyo Shock trailers.
It's also unexplainable - some companies will get lazy and just copy the DVD coverart for the Blu-Ray, leaving some discrepencies. Media Blasters actually re-did the artwork for the entire Blu-Ray case (front and back), and created a new menu system for the Blu-Ray, so it's not like it was a quick re-packaging.
If you want the Tokyo Gore Police Short Film Collection, you need to buy the Tokyo Gore Police 1.5 (2pc) (Dub Sub) on DVD (a repackaging of the original DVD + a 2nd disc with the short films). The short films themselves aren't that special (I purchased both versions of the DVD and was disappointed by the short films), so it's not a huge loss, but they do make a good FREE extra, especially when they're advertised on the case.
Video quality on the Blu-Ray is also questionable. I did a comparison with the DVD and the Blu-Ray appears to have some sort of digital-smoothing applied (and sharpening over that). Lots of faces lack detail and show edge enhancement throughout the film. This is a low-budget film, so I won't completely fault Media Blasters, but there does appear to be some tweaking done as the DVD did not display these problems as noticeably. Media Blasters/Tokyo Shock has had a pretty spotty record with their blu-ray releases, so it's no surprise. At other times, though, it does seem good.
I can't comment on the audio as I don't have a DTS-HD compatible system, but the disc does contain English DTS-HD 2.0 / 5.1 and Japanese DTS-HD 2.0 / 5.1 according to the box (it's only listed as 2.0 or 5.1 on the menu, so I can't confirm it's DTS-HD).
I like the movie - I got the Blu-Ray cheap (cheaper than I paid for the DVD, even) so I don't regret it. I wouldn't recommend upgrading the DVD to it, but for those who are looking to buy it (without owning any previous editions), ask yourself if the Short Film Collection is important to you. If not, get the blu-ray. If it is, get the Tokyo Gore Police 1.5 (2pc) (Dub Sub) DVD.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Arterial Spray..., January 13, 2009
Inevitably, this will be compared to the Machine Girl in most reviews, but that's a bit unfair to this film because despite all the gore and bizarre plot points, this film is a LOT different than that film... and it's also a lot better.
No matter what anyone says, The Machine Girl was really just an overblown gory comedy; this one, while boasting some really clever and hilarious parts (gotta love the fake television ads, including one with a killer Wii game!), is way darker and more serious and actually has a way more involving storyline, especially in the 2nd half. It is also bit slower and more character-driven; while this approach may turn off some people, it makes this film feel more real, more vibrant, more cinematic, and makes it way more rewatchable. None of it is boring in the least, of course -- in fact, this is one of the most entertaining films I've EVER seen.
Surreal and ultraviolent, and special mention has to be made to whoever did the soundtrack. A great film for any occasion. I loved it. More energy and great, original ideas than most any film I've seen come out in the past 5 years or so. Highly Recommended!
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