Last week I watched Bijitâ Q (Visitor Q), and I didn’t review it. I factored in the rate at which my German grandmother visits the site with the level of depraving schlock captured by the film. That’s how I came to my conclusion. I wanted to watch another Taskashi Miike film though and that’s how I came across Zebraman.
Takashi Miike is a director known for pushing boundaries, usually in the realm of public decency. Many times the twisted visuals motivate the story, making the film unpredictable and chilling (Audition). So what happens when this master of shock decides to make a superhero film that would hit around a PG-13?
Family man/elementary school superintendent Shin’ichi Ichikawa (Shô Aikawa) is enamored with his childhood hero Zebraman, the title character of a short-lived, live-action TV show back in the ‘70s. Ever since then Ichikawa has carried on the legacy. He even cobbled together his own Zebraman costume, which he sports to dish out the catch phrase: “If you stand behind me, you’re gonna get kicked.”
Turns out Ichikawa isn’t the only one with love for the striped man. A young transfer student by the name of Asano, who has collected figures on the character for years, befriends the otherwise bewildered man. At the same time a crime spree has swept over their city. Stepping up to the plate, Ichikawa finds the will to zebra kick crime in the keister.
Plot wise it doesn’t sound like much, but some of the turns are so bizarre that you can’t help but appreciate them. For example, the origin of the “Zebraman” TV series is stunningly farfetched, but it’s so over the top that I admire the unique explanation. On the other hand, the origin of Ichikawa’s powers goes completely unexplored. I don’t see how there can be such elaborate explanations for minor points while the driving elements of the story simply happen. I suppose you could argue that Miike was making an homage to the Power Rangers-esque back story, but I don’t admire sloppiness.
For a movie that plays to a younger audience, Zebraman could use more laughs. It’s not a comedy, it’s not uptight, but I tell you that other than a couple of lines there isn’t much to smile about in the way of dialogue. It’s so weird too, because it’s a fun movie to take in. I suppose you can chalk it up to the energy of our lead and comically preposterous situations that make for some special effects you never thought you’d see.
Not immensely humorous, nor action packed, and containing momentous plot holes—Zebraman is not an ideal superhero/kid friendly film. It does however carry an endearing, joyful quality tied to its kitsch throwback traits and mostly lighthearted nature. More importantly it stays interesting. **½
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