Customer Reviews

Zero Woman: Dangerous Game

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Chieko Shiratori is super cute as an agent of the Zero Department. I was expecting over the top violence along the lines of Tokyo Gore Police or The Machine Girl. The movie didn't deliever for action. Director Hidekazu Takahara could have spiced it up a whole lot more. Then again, I'm a fan of extreme violence. The action is the weakest part of this movie
The best part is the relationship better Rei, Shiratori, and Nana, Ichiho Matsuda. They start out hating each other and getting on each other nerves as even the best of friends seem to be able to locate those mental pressure points that drive you up the wall. Rei is assigned to protect Nana and after Rei kills several assasins at Nana's apartment, they are forced to move into Rei's apartment.
This is where the real fun of the movie starts. After getting on each others nerves and various trust issues, they slowly bond, which results in a cool lesbian scene that could have lasted longer. But this isn't porn so there are better films for that.
I do agree with Nana as she tells Rei that you can having a deep relaxing sleep after causal sex. I think this breaks down Rei's tough girl front.
They bond together more and more until Rei actually is helping Nana escape from the mob life. When they start trusting each other the fun begins. There are cool scenes of Nana looking cool and tough while blasting away various mobsters and doctors. There is something appealing about beautiful women with guns.
Overall, this is a nice quiet film with tender lesbian moments, witty dialouge that isn't cheesy, and a little action throw in. There could have been more action, blood, gore, car chasers, swearing and other things that guys love.

My checklist for this DVD:

1. Storyline was "out there"
2. The acting wasn't the best
3. Very violent in spots

You must be asking yourself, "Why is he rating this DVD five stars?"
I'll tell you why...Chieko Shiratori...that's why! The woman is fine! There! I've said it! Anything that she acts in, I'll at least look!

If I sound chauvinistic, I apologize. But, oh boy...

If I thought she could have learned English when these flicks came out, then I'd be saying Lucy Lu, Bai Ling, Sandra Oh and whoever else is out there - get back - 'cause you can't compete with this woman! Yessir!

Honestly, I'd give the movie three stars! But Ms. Chieko gets five!!

Love the Zero Woman series. Always a different girl playing the main character, and that's okay, because I get to see a different hottie every time

Japanese media "Idol" Chieko Shiratori demonstrates she comes by her status honestly by taking a turn as the icy cool Zero Woman in this intriguing Asian thriller. For an interesting discussion of the Idol phenomenon in Pacific Rim culture, see cyberpunk novelist William Gibson's great book, "Idoru" (available right here at Amazon), but in the meantime let's just say that Shiratori's images are all over the internet, as well as prominently featured in Japanese fashion magazines. But can she act? On the evidence presented in "Dangerous Game," some might say yes, and call for more!

An unusual film for an Asian thriller, "Dangerous Game" has plenty of blood and violence, but the development of the two female characters who take up most of the screentime here (Shiratori's Rei - assassin and, in this film, bodyguard - and the cranky gangster's moll turned prosecution witness Rei is assigned to keep alive) is unusually rich, and their blossoming relationship runs somewhat counter to the expectations of this testosterone-laden genre. Shiratori has an engaging presence onscreen - beautiful, powerful, but with a touch of melancholy intelligence that transcends the comic-book limitations of her character. This very facet of the film may account for some of the negative comments of other reviewers, who must like their sex rough and their plots simple, but I found this detour from the standard menu to be quite interesting.

"Zero Woman - Dangerous Game" is an entertaining diversion, and hopefully a sign of more good things to come from Shiratori, even at this late date; she's a woman who, with serious material and a skilled director, could perhaps bring her own, uniquely Japanese strain of the "velvet and steel" Asian woman to worldwide film audiences that has made Gong Li an international star. My favorite of the series, and definitely worth watching!

Dangerous Game is the poorest of the Zero Woman series, ironic as the gorgeous Chieko Shiratori is probably the best actress to portray the Japanese hit woman. Almost literally nothing happens in this movie, as it's also the most chatty of the series. Still, Chieko takes off her clothes and that's always worth the price of admission.

The quality of the DVD deteriorates half way on the movie. Eventually, the disc freezes up and stops. Could never finish the whole movie!