DVD: Dororo
Submitted by Kwan on Tue, 2008-09-30 13:01.
Keywords:
DVD Reviewed by Kwan
Starring: Satoshi Tsumabuki
Do you miss power ranger-esque special effects? Do you crave outrageous Japanese monsters and their insatiable need to explode upon destruction? If so, and you haven't watched Dororo yet, chances are you're as unsatisfied with your film viewing acumen as I am unsatisfied with using big words in reviews which I do not fully comprehend.
When a Japanese warlord is on the brink of losing a battle with his enemies, he makes a pact with 48 demons to gain immortality. This, as one would expect, comes with a price, and it is the warlord's first born that the devils are interested in to honour the pact.
Without giving too much away, Dororo (I hope) is based on a very old Japanese tale about power, sacrifice and retribution. I believe the one good thing Japanese filmmakers are adept at doing is telling (or at least presenting) an interesting story. Dororo does not disappoint in this regard.
The choice for the main character, Hyakkimaru – the warlord's son, is Satoshi Tsumabuki. Although he hasn't been in many western films, the Japanese heart throb is somewhat of a veteran in his native country of Japan. You may have seen him make a cameo in Tokyo Drift, but then again it's difficult to tell amidst the wave of Asian …cars.
Satoshi's role in Dororo is mainly a physical one – there is lots of flying around and lobbing off monsters’ heads. This doesn't leave a lot of scope for character development but that doesn't really matter. Girls watching this will be too distracted by his handsome face, and guys watching this will be too distracted by the comical action sequences, monsters and special effects.
Instead of going the overdone 3D route of rendering your bad guys on a computer, the director for Dororo has chosen the proven power ranger method of creating costumes for his villain actors. This, I believe was done very well, but I can't remember if I enjoyed it so much because it looked so funny, or because it was actually any good.
The film in general actually looks quite believable. Sets and costumes actually ad to the environment very nicely and draws you into that era - which I believe to be in the Edo Period (1603 - 1868).
So if you're looking for a light hearted action romp in ancient Japan, then Dororo is good value. After all, who can resist monsters that explode upon death? Not me, or that guy.
