Zeiramu

This one definitely fits in the category of guilty pleasures.

Basically, it's about a beautiful female bounty hunter from another planet named Ilya who comes to Earth to stop an evil alien monster named Zeram that has also come here to avoid capture. She and her computer (creatively named Bob) create an alternate dimension that she sends Zeram into in order to fight it without hurting anybody (if an innocent person gets killed, you see, she and Bob lose their bounty hunting licenses). However, a couple of dorky guys from Earth manage to travel to the dimension with her, and so she must not only defeat the monster but protect them. And that's pretty much it- this has one of the simplest plots I've ever seen, but it's an entertaining movie nonetheless- the action is cheesy but fun, and there's plenty of it, with the typical low-budget sci-fi f/x. Ilya is played by a very good looking actress, and her character is something of a cross between Boba Fett and Xena Warrior Princess. And thankfully, the two "comic relief" characters don't get too annoying, as is often the case in action movies that come out of Asia. It's nothing special, but this movie does deliver, so check it out if you get a chance.

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.

A visually stunning film full of extravagant monsters and dazzling special effects. Director Keita Amemiya definitely has a flair for this kind of stylistic filmmaking and the film looks great, although the pacing could be tightened up a bit. What sets the film apart from so many others is the conviction and no-nonsense portrayal of the main character (Iria) by actress Yuko Moriyama. She offsets the otherwise campy tone of the film and lends it some credibility. Worth checking out if you're interested in a fun no-brainer sci-fi adventure stocked with girls, guns, gadgets, and monsters.

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 ****.

I have always had a soft spot for anime-esque films. Zeram was both entertaining and indulging. I have no idea what the budget of this well produced film was, but the initial battle scene between Iria and Zeram was staggering. Those who appreciated the Kryptonian battle in 'Superman 2' will love this piece of cinematography. Kuddos.

Zeram's plotline is simple, the actors are fun to watch, and the action is a blast, the villain is more elemental than 'evil'. What else does the action-adventure viewer expect?

Thumbs way up.