Zebraman

I like Miike movies but this one is a little too uneven and if I'm checking to see how much longer a movie has to go while watching then there's a problem. There's a lot to appreciate but unless you are a serious Miike fan or genre geek then pass on this one.

When Takashi Miike was selected to direct Show Aikawa's 100th film, we should've realized it wasn't going to be a safe collaboration. Welcome to ZEBRAMAN or, as it's fondly called in my household, Takashi Miike's theater of silly capers. Miike, just to show he can, veers away from his patented sicko films and creepy horror pictures and crafts a fun, offbeat spoof of the superhero cinema. The hero name is ridiculous. The theme song is incongruous. The narrative flow isn't smooth. Once again Takashi Miike plays with structure and tone. After all, he wouldn't want you to take him for granted.Strange things are afoot in Yokohama. A crime wave imposes a reign of terror on the worried citizens. Not that these alarming events trigger the drastic change in Shinichi Ichikawa (Show Aikawa). A meek third grade schoolteacher and a family man disrespected in his own home, Mr. Ichikawa toils in abject misery. As a form of escapism, he obsesses on a superhero television show called ZEBRAMAN that aired back in 1978 for a mere seven episode run. ZEBRAMAN folds nicely into those early tokusatsu shows (ULTRAMAN, KAMEN RIDER, the SUPER SENTAI series, etc.), except that the ZEBRAMAN show took place in the year 2010. Mr. Ichikawa's pastime has now evolved to his having sewn together a Zebraman costume. He's posing in the privacy of his home. He's contemplating venturing out on night patrols.One evening, while in costume, Mr. Ichikawa decides to go on a soda run. But, as he creeps out in the streets, he runs into a violent perp in a crab mask. Forced to fight, Mr. Ichikawa is astounded to learn that he's somehow developed the amazing abilities of his superhero idol. Well, this changes everything.As time goes on, Shinichi Ichikawa begins to take on the physical attributes of his alter ego. Embarassingly, his hair assumes a decidedly mane-like aspect. And yet the largest shock arrives when he discovers that his revered 1970s show may in fact be a secret prophecy, with him destined to play the role of Zebraman. Just in time to fend off an alien invasion. The year now is 2010. When if not now, Mr. Ichikawa, to overcome that timidness and perfect that piercing stare?Although there are very decent action sequences, ZEBRAMAN is far from a conventional superhero flick, not with Takashi Miike at the helm. There's a strong satiric streak running thru the narrative. Sometimes the humor comes from left field. Sometimes, it's very broad. The story introduces a sub-plot concerning an M.I.B.-type pair of government agents deployed to investigate a possible extraterrestrial encroachment, except that these guys are frequently played for laughs. Their chief gets injured so much that, by the end of the film, he looks like the Mummy. The villains look grotesque, except that it's hard to take someone like Crabman seriously. And then there's the passage which awesomely unveils... Zebranurse!!!Show Aikawa is a marvel. He puts his stamp all over the place. He plays it straight but he makes you laugh. And yet he moves you in the quieter moments. He busted his what making this film, and it's fun to witness the arc his character undergoes. Deep in the film, when Zebraman turns a goon into a human pretzel, you believe that the often bullied Mr. Ichikawa is entirely capable of it. Show Aikawa convinces you.What I have is the 2 disc Special Edition which also offers the following bonus material (with English sub-titles):- In-depth look at the Making of ZEBRAMAN (00:43:26 minutes)- Behind-the-Scenes look at a Deleted Scene which shows the aftermath of Shinichi's rumble with Crabman as Shinichi notices abrupt changes on his body (00:02:54 minutes)- At the February 14, 2004 Tokyo Premiere as the cast & creators are introduced on stage (00:07:13)- Interview with director Takashi Miike (00:09:03)- Interview with Show Aikawa (00:11:24)- 1978 TV series Trailer- Interview with Ichiro Mizuki, Singer of the "Zebraman" Theme Song (00:01:35)- Hero Show - an onstage performance of Zebraman taking on Crabman and his henchmen (00:02:56)- Theatrical Trailer & TV Spots- Special Announcement - one more brief ZEBRAMAN promotional spot- Photo Gallery

"Zebraman" is a hilarious comic book satire film from director Takashi Miike! This came as an absolute surprise to me--I'm sad to say I'm not usually what one would call a "Miike" fan. His movies simply aren't, usually, my thing. However, this film proved that I can never completely ignore a director so open-minded and imaginative.From the special features of this particular DVD set(2), I learned some fascinating facts about the film, and more specifically, the lead actor: Sho Aikawa. His performance in "Zebraman" actually marked his 100th role as a lead actor in a film, which I was given to understand is especially uncommon in Japan. One of the special features is an interview with him, while another follows his experience.Another great thing about the special features was the amount of Behind the Scenes footage you got to see compared to American filmmakers' interpretations of the same with their films. With "Zebraman" they showed the whole process--good and bad--the long hours, the injuries, the exhaustion, the little things...truly it was fascinating. I almost felt like I was on set watching the filming. Whereas with American versions of Behind the Scenes previews and Making Of clips, I've only ever seen glimpses, prepped interviews, or very limited views of anything else. For me, the Special Edition was worth buying just for that experience, if nothing else.If you're not one for satire, or you can't take comic book humor, this movie wouldn't be for you. However, if the two appeal to you, and you happen to love Japanese movies as well, this movie will rock your world!"Zebraman" is the funniest movie I've seen in months!!!

I've only ever seen two of Miike's films, Great Yokai War and this one. I dare say, it's one of the best comedies to ever come out of Japan. I think it should be made apparent that this is far from a kid flick. I believe it was more meant for the fist and second generation Tokusatsu fans who grew up with Kamen Rider and other Henshin heroes. The main hero is a guy who grew up idolizing the underdog of these heroes, Zebraman, whose show flopped after six episodes. Through his interaction with a young boy who through miricle of the Internet had rediscovered his hero, the hero finds the power within himself to become a true hero.My favorite part of the film is the climatic final battle where Zebraman ascends and becomes a true superhero. The very purpose of this scene is to parrellel the contemporary movement in Japanese media to bring back and modernize classical superheroes with a newer and more high grade appearance. It has been done to Ultraman, Kamen Rider, and even Lion Maru.Zebraman is worth watching, both for fans of the henshin hero genre, but also those who like comedy. the English voice cast was also pretty okay as far as quality.

If you're remotely familiar with 1970s-ish Japanese superhero shows, this movie is for you. It's a love letter to classic tokusatsu, from that friend who knows you well enough to call you a loser sometimes.If you're not familiar with Kamen Rider and the like, well, it's still a good movie, but it probably comes off as a little more bizarre.

Crazy yet entertaining. Skip the second one for your own good.

Amazing tale of kind of a downtrodden guy not fitting in to the black and white world. When most around doubt him, he shows his stripes to those with a keen eye.

Sho Aikawa stars in his 100th movie and how fitting it should be that the man (Miike) who made him an international B-movie legend was the one to mark this special occasion. Aikawa is cast as school teacher Shinichi who has become emotionally estranged from his entire family; his wife is cheating on him, his daughter seeks the attention of older men and his son is bullied at school because of his fathers teaching position. During Shinichi's childhood he watched his favourite tv programme titled Zebraman and was devastated when it was cancelled after seven shows because of poor ratings. One day in class he notices a boy who has some Zebraman memorabillia on his desk and all his childhood memories come flooding back to him.Later, he retreats to his bedroom and fantasises about being his favourite superhero and designs his very own Zebraman costum. One night while Shinichi is indulging his new found form of escapism he hears loud panic stricken screams and decides to investigate. Nearby in a dark scummy alley he encounters an alien just like the ones from his favourite show and a mock contest between the two commences. As it transpires the Zebraman show he loved so much in his youth was actually a prophecy/premonition of Shinichi's destiny. An excellent spoof comedy from the master of cinema Miike Takashi and a brilliant performance by Sho Aikawa that will surely delight anyone who was a fan of the original 1960's Batman movie and tv series.

Honestly I downloaded this film from seeing the trailer online, expecting a hilarious film to watch with mates one night then delete. Instead what I was met with was one of the best superhero films I've ever seen. The acting is great, the fights are choreographed excellently, and the story feels pulled straight from an anime.Couldn't wait to get my hands on an actual copy of the DVD!

Good movie from the notorious Takashi Miike, it is not as far out or violent as his usual movies but a good movie that delivers

Du grand n'importe quoi, tellement n'importe quoi que j'ai vu le film jusqu'au bout. L'absurde élevé au rang de religion, et une grande leçon d'humilité, le ridicule ne tue pas et zébra 2, Et dans la même veine. Prévoyez de refaire le plein de l'armoire à pharmacie et le bar.Je n'ai pas osé le visionner en VO, je ne suis pas assez fort(psychiquement parlant ).

pas de 5 parce que la personne ne doit pas rester sur ses acquis et elle doit continuer sur ce beau rapport qualite-prix.....et la rien a dire super en temps que fan takashi mike et merci !!! recu dans les temps ... bonne continuation