Zëiram (1991)

When this Japanese sci-fi monster-action -comedy first reached the US, it very nearly developed a cult following. That it didn't probably had to do with the widespread distribution of anime, Japanese sci-fi fantasy thriller cartoons intended largely for adults.The manga-anime phenomenon has disturbed me ever since I first bumped into it in 1973. back then, Japanese cartoons had absolutely no stylistics variance whatsoever. Ever face by every artist looked exactly same, the stories all followed the same formulae, regardless of writer - to be fair, there was a cultural ethic at work in this - at the time, many Japanese actually felt that individualistic styles projected a kind of arrogance. It wasn't until about 1990, with a whole new generation of Japanese artists, heavily influenced by material from America, that individual differences and variations became first tolerate, and then admired. Still, even today these differences and variations occur within very restrictive limits. And, perhaps not surprisingly, the more individualistic the artist's style, the more violent and offensive the material presented - to have an individualistic style is still recognized, to some extent, as transgressive and rebellious. However, the curious thing now, is why many Americans - from whom the Japanese learned to be rebellious - have grown attached to the variation-less similitude of traditional manga.It is well to bear this in mind when approaching Zeram. The film - not animated by the way, and employing surprising little CGI - is a curious blend of sameness and difference. The female alien bounty-hunter who is the real hero of the film is actually derived from a fairly well-known manga type; unlike her cartoon sisters however, she has a real sense of humor, and her strength is not portrayed as in conflict with her femininity, but a part of it.Her Earthling sidekicks are also remarkably different from the usual dumb-earthling sidekicks of the common manga. They fumble and bumble their way into the story, but they have their own kind of intelligence and their own kind of bravery - enough so that these contribute to the film's finale in a decisive manner.But if there is offensive transgression to be found here, it certainly involves the title character. As rubber-monsters go, she is extremely violent. this sort of violence has become quite typical for manga (and one reason Japanese comics are not for kids); but most manga monsters are overtly sadistic, usually laughing when their victims suffer. Zeram is really a ruthless, but emotionless, unstoppable force. One can easily be shocked and disgusted with her, but one can't really feel any hatred or pity. despite the organic matter used in her construction, she is pure machine, with one function - the destruction of everything in her path that lives. Which is exactly why our unlikely team of heroes really need to have a sense of humor. Their situation would be unbearable if they didn't.After an ultra-violent pre-credit sequence, the first 15 minutes of the film are a little dull, but that's because, unlike manga and manga-influenced action films, our heroes here have real personalities to be developed. Part of what will decide whether or not the viewer likes the film is whether the viewer likes these people, and I confess I do.The film depends a lot upon - and is served well by - its editing and its soundtrack. There are also a couple of truly disturbing moments when the film forces us to confront the question of what it might really mean to be 'organic', i.e., human. And the bounty hunter has a computer-assistant with a dry slacker-like sense of humor ("yeah, whatever").Over all, sci-fi entertainment beyond the usual from Japan.PS: there is a sequel out, but it's pretty much like sequels everywhere; I do not recommend it.

Keita Amemiya is the man. Both of the Zeiram movies and animated series proves that.The film follows a woman from Planet Myce named Iria and her computer sidekick Bobu coming to Earth, tracking down the wherabouts of Zeiram, a bio-mechanical robot controlled by a living unit in its forehead.But things do not run as smoothly as planned. Two locals named Kamiya and Teppei stumble into Iria's fort and mess things up. Zeiram finally comes into Iria's zone and starts to terrorize the civilians and it is up to Iria to save them and contain Zeiram.Zeiram sure is a different breed of Sci-Fi movie, and there are great looking enemy designs to boot and a memorable female lead that make these movies worth while.

In the stylized tradition of 1950s Japanese monster movies and the current, popular trendy pastiche of modern Anime comes a fantastic futuristic adventure. Zeram is basically an enormous giant renegade space alien who has done quite a lot of damage aboard on other planets.Now, Zeram has been lured to Planet Earth, with so many victims at its disposal. The only souls who can abolish this demonic presence are a female space bounty hunter, Ilya (Yuko Moriyama), from Planet Mays, and her highly intelligent albeit obstinate computer, Bob. The two have planned a trap for Zeram, and the showdown will take place in a take-no-prisoners setting inside "The Zone," a virtual reality type environment that is uninhabited, and totally unreal...The odds are in favor of Zeram, and to make matters a lot more unbearable, two goofballs from an electric company (Yukihiro Hotaru and Kunihiko Ida), have managed to slip by... One of these employees is a Leslie Cheung lookalike. Anyway, Ilya feels very uncomfortable at this moment as the two bumbling clowns serve as the most inconvenient supplements right now...The battlefield is set. Ilya is armed with a cool warp machine that can travel both dimensions, from the Zone to the Real World. She has a powerful space bazooka, body armor, an electric shield for protection, and plenty of agile moves to knock Zeram off into oblivion! Zeram however has: Mutant dwarves, a bulletproof armor, lasers, servants, and a miniature face within its head that serves as his primary weapon for mass destruction. He eats organic matter, and creates his own army of deformed freaks! Zeram is a grotesque creature, resembling that of a disfigured statue. Every time Zeram is apparently destroyed...he keeps regenerating, looking more disgusting every time... This creature can morph from a slow-moving juggernaut...to a slick moving spider... Zeram and Ilya are at the final match tonight...with the fate of the world hanging in the balance...ZERAM (The film's original Japanese title is ZEIRAMU.) is an OK flick. Some decorative special effects, machinery, and lots of explosions aggrandize the film. The film is orchestrated with dazzling FX and imagery. The stop motion effects are remarkable as well. Still, despite the flamboyant technology and some rather impressive effects of its kind, the film is unfortunately waived thanks to a lack of invention and a excruciatingly plodding pace. The comedy in this film is extremely lame as well. The acute action and good martial arts skills in this movie are a plus. The gory introduction with people being literally blown away also serves as among the best highlights in this average sci-fi journey.Even though the flashy visuals are accompanied throughout most of this movie, the film is still, amazingly lifeless and boring. ZERAM takes too long to begin picking up the pace, and although the film runs for only 90 minutes long, the movie drags so consistently that it feels like the feature is going on forever. A fastidious misfire, due to its tepid direction which is short on vigor. Also, by the end, we are very much unclear about the origin of Zeram...and we no longer give either...This movie's uneven pace is its biggest liability. If that was not there, this movie would have been very much enjoyable and entertaining, assisted with some raw comedy. Still, there's an acceptable premise, but the movie moves way too slowly! Lighting effects, tangible technological materials, and a good musical score orchestrated just BARELY save ZERAM from sinking under its own weight...RATING: ** out of ****.

Zeram is a very good movie that shows that dubbed movies can be fun and exciting in a good way. The movie has good special effects that will surprize you at first then jump out and get you. The creatures are amazing in this film.