Death Kappa (2010)

I had at least expected the movie to at least have some sense of entertainment value, after all it does focus on one of the more famous of Japanese creatures in mythology.Or at least, one would think that. But this movie quickly lost track of what it started out as and went into a full-blown "Godzilla" rip-off.Nothing in the movie made sense, and I hope that the movie was meant to be a spoof, because everything in the movie was just fundamentally bad. From the creature costume, which clearly was just a badly made suit, to the fake model tanks, buildings and airplanes. And the airplanes and helicopters were held up with clearly visibly strings. And the big monster was also just a man in a horribly fake costume.The special effects were as bad as the actual storyline, and it just quickly became painful to witness on the screen.I gave up 20 minutes before the movie ended. I just couldn't suffer through a single minute more of the ordeal that is "Death Kappa".

For me it all began with a simple tweet of the movie critic Harry Knowles I got to read. He was watching, with his nephew I think, the Blu-Ray of DEATH KAPPA and writing in twitter that they were amazed (and that the kid was like "I can do that in my backyard" regarding some scenes of the movie!). Later I read in a Fangoria magazine that the director of "Kappa" wanted to make with it the TEAM America of Japanese monster movies! So I saw the trailer (which is quite awesome), realized it has the same producers of TOKYO GORE POLICE and THE MACHINE GIRL and added it to my list of must-wanted movies. I just received the Blu-Ray last Thursday and on Friday night I finally got immerse in the world of the Kappas (it was the very last movie I saw in 2011!). The movie was everything I hoped for and then some. I mean, it's indeed a classic monster picture but there are certain elements that I didn't expect and that are pretty darn ridiculous, in the good and hilarious way! First of all, the look of the main character (a kappa – not *really* a monster but a "creature of legend", as we are told. A creature that actually knows sumo!) is likely the most bizarre you'll see in a 2010 picture! The Kappa is as ugly as f***, and once you have it dancing to some song for children, well you just have some truly WTF moment. The movie is some sort of a spectacle of the "do it as you can" kind of filmmaking. I don't know if that makes any sense, but what I'm trying to say is that DEATH KAPPA is the kind of movie that doesn't give a s***. More than to TEAM America (that is a masterpiece of a movie with scale models), it is closer to SOUTH PARK. Remember those *real* explosions mixed with the animation from that TV show? Well, here we have that kind of thing with, for instance, images of buildings being destroyed. Plus, we have visible wires and all that kind of things. Certainly some will get it and go for it (as I did) and some will not at all, just like some will not forgive the completely over-the-top acting or just the entire first part of the movie (certainly the part without any of the Godzilla-like material). And that first part of the movie delivers some WTF moments (like the one I mentioned) but it is mostly just something forgettable. We are here for the monster action and believe me, it is quite fun. The very last part, the monster fight, is quite the s***. Hell, we have the kappa (in its gigantic monster form, known as death kappa) showing us some fighting movements with a nunchaku-like weapon! It is just some very cool Japanese stuff.

Wow. I love Godzilla movies. Yes even sometimes the bad ones. But this.......wow. I can't help but wonder if this was supposed to be a parody of Kaiju films. If so, they might have listed that in the summary/description. Perhaps I could have watched it at the proper moment, in the proper mood, with the proper expectations.They make no attempt to hide the strings, the rubber suits, or the miniature models. The scene with the reporter comes to mind (if you dare to watch it, you'll know what I mean). The acting...........is bad. SOOOOOO bad. I only paid $12 for the blu-ray, and honestly I wouldn't pay a dollar for this.Maybe I might watch this one day for fun with friends, if we're drunk enough. Personally, I would classify/describe this movie as a bad parody making fun of Godzilla (and other kaiju) films, and it is NOT to be taken seriously.

Tomo'o Haraguchi's flawless rendering of Masakazu Migita's unforgettable screenplay left me, for lack of a better word, speechless. Upon hearing the names attached to this film, I came to Death Kappa expecting only the best and it did not disappoint. In fact, it filled my metaphorical cup to overflowing with its unique blend of horror (offering a demonic mystery on par with The Exorcist), mythology-based fantasy (the epic battles of Clash of the Titans come to mind), and dark humor (think Army of Darkness). The dialogue is witty and well-delivered by an entire cast of excellent actors and actresses. While some may find it perhaps too literary and poetic, I suggest that the film was intended to be viewed as a deep and artistic social commentary that requires several viewings to properly appreciate. In other words, Haraguchi has accomplished in a single film what other philosophic Japanese directors, like Takeshi Kitano, have spent careers trying to express. Expect clever puns, a top-notch soundtrack, and even moments of heartbreaking interpretive dance.The cinematography leaves nothing to be desired and despite the relatively low budget, the special effects are breathtaking. The underwater scenes literally left me gasping for air and the gore scenes are gritty and realistic, on par with the best moments of the Saw series. The Death Kappa itself is beautifully rendered yet stays true to the Kappas of Japanese folklore. I found the portrayal of this misunderstood and confused creature to be nothing less than Oscar-worthy and if Death Kappa does not get an Oscar nod, I will be very surprised. In short, one of the best, if not THE best, films of 2010.I leave you now with a few lyrics from one of the film's most touching moments, sure to bring a tear to the eye of any true Death Kappa fan:Someday, we'll be together, you and me / I'm wearing panties again today / The stars above are all lucky, happy / I'm going to end up putting our secret inside a treasure chest / I promise I'll bleed with a smile on my face near the seashore.