Rated: n/a (extreme gore) | Review date: 26-Oct-2009

In Tokyo, a refuse pile known as “Black Fuji” is infamous as being a burial ground for all of the city’s dark and dirty secrets. Two fire extinguisher factory employees, Fujio and Mitsuo, are caught clowning around on the job one day and accidentally murder their boss; thus disposing his body in Black Fuji which lies right behind their workplace. This particular day is the starting point of a plague resulting from the toxic chemicals in the mountain mixed with the cadavers that have long had time to react with one another. It’s at this point the film becomes deserving of its title, “Tokyo Zombie,” written by Sakichi Satô (screenplay) and Yûsaku Hanakuma (manga) and directed by Sakichi Satô (yes, this is the guy that played Charlie Brown in Kill Bill Vol. 1).

Fujio and Mitsuo, played by Tadanobu Asano and Shô Aikawa, are a hilarious duo that bring loads of laughs as well as serious moments regarding friendship and perseverance. Their appearances alone make them hilarious and distinguishable characters, with Mitsuo being an older balding gentleman, and Fujio being a younger afro-donning imbecile. What makes them more interesting is that Mitsuo is a Jui-jitsu master who attempts to pass down his skills to fuel Fujio’s desire to become a pro wrestler. In the dawning of the zombie apocaplypse, Mitsuo suggest the two travel north to Russia (because that’s where real men go to get tough!).

Not only are these some of the funniest and most interesting characters, but the plot is fairly original for a zombie comedy. The two meet up with Yoko (Erika Okuda) before the angry and hypochondriac Mitsuo bids his farewell. Fast-forwarding 5 years later, Fujio masters the Jui-jitsu teachings and combats in slave vs. zombie battles (much resembling those in Land of the Dead) and has a child, Fumiyo (Hina Matsuoka), with the demeaning Yoko. As Fujio tries to deal with family life and attempt to spread the power of Jui-jitsu to his unwilling audience, he encounters an old friend much to his surprise. From here out, lessons are learned and obstacles overcome. These coy serious moments are what separates “Tokyo Zombie” from being just another laughable gore fest.

The film uses plenty of cheesy special effects, unrealistic and hilarious gore, and plenty of martial arts action. It’s directed quite well, and the dialog is fresh and funny throughout. The film pays homage to classic zombie films as well as Asian gore-comedy and manages to put its own spin on things. As I’ve mentioned the characters are likable and unique, which is really the strong point of this film. The music choice was also very interesting and really adds to the humor and action scenes. The ending was on par with the rest of the film. Overall “Tokyo Zombie” is an excellent zombedy and a fresh and unique take on the seemingly becoming trend.

IMDb/trailer

DVD at Amazon

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