Two of the most
popular Japanese cult films are finally available in glorious high definition. Director
Shinya Tsukamoto (Snake of June, Tokyo Fist) supervised the transfer of this
highly anticipated blu-ray release, featuring the first two films of the series
and a 45-minute movie Tsukamoto made in his student days, called ‘The
Adventures of Electric Rod Boy’.
1989’s Tetsuo: The Iron Man was shot in black in white,
followed by a colour sequel three years later. Essentially an extended remake
with a bigger budget, Tetsuo II: Body Hammer didn’t perform quite as well as
the original back home, but both films have built a cult following around the
world. It’s hardly surprisingly either. Tsukamoto’s surreal nightmares have
been compared to the works of David Lynch and David Cronenberg, with the
influence of both directors oozing from every frame.
The Tetsuo universe isn’t really known for grounding itself
in logic, but the basic premise goes a little something like this. A strange
man known only as the ‘metal fetishist’ (Shinya Tsukamoto) cuts open a wound on
his leg and puts a large threaded steel rod in it. When maggots emerge from
beneath the surface he runs into the street screaming, struck down immediately
by a passing car. The driver, a Japanese businessman (Tomorowo Taguchi), is out
with his girlfriend when the accident takes place, and rather than report the
incident, they try to cover it up by dumping his body.
Things get a little crazy when the businessman’s body
mutates into scrap metal, starting when his penis turns into a power drill.
Kind of handy in certain situations I’m sure, but probably not recommended for
the everyday occurrences of life. There’s a ‘logical’ explanation of course,
that goes without saying. The businessman’s nemesis clearly didn’t die when
they hit him with the car, and now he’s able to take revenge by masterminding
the grisly transformation. The rest of the plot, or what little there is, is
pretty much irrelevant. Tetsuo might not be particularly coherent, but it is
one hell of an experience.
Tetsuo: The Iron Man was never going to make the most of
blu-ray technology, but it does clean up rather well in high definition.
Besides, great films are great films no matter how you choose to view them.
Shot in the style of a bad dream, the startling imagery is at times sublime.
Tetsuo is one of the weirdest, most extreme movies you are ever likely to see.
It’s not always an easy watch but Tsukamoto’s erratic game changer is
impossible to ignore – a compulsive movie going experience that still looks
great today. The low budget effects are staggeringly effective, and even though
it doesn’t make a lick of sense, with surreal imagery and hypnotic sound design
bombarding your TV screen, you won’t regret a single moment.
More of a companion piece than a sequel, Tetsuo II: Body
Hammer sees director Shinya Tsukamoto's disturbing vision of a world populated by
man-machines explode into spellbinding colour. The life of a Japanese
businessman (Tomorowo Taguchi again) is turned upside down when his son is
kidnapped by dangerous figures. As you would expect by now, it’s only a matter
of time before the anger building up inside turns him into an unstoppable
killing machine.
With mad scientists, cyborg skinheads, bizarre experiments
and mind manipulation, Tetsuo 2 is no less messed up than its predecessor. The
extended running time gives Tsukamoto the chance to dig a little deeper,
presenting his protagonist with a welcome back-story that’s as twisted as it is
tragic. On the whole Tetsuo 2 is more accessible than The Iron Man, but the
nightmarish visuals and bonkers sentiment are still intact, resulting in a delirious
cyberpunk spin on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
If you’re willing to overlook storyline and structure in
favour of adrenaline pumping imagery, the Tetsuo movies are still a force to be
reckoned with. Sushi Typhoon may have taken the art of body weaponry to new
levels of insanity and distaste, but few films surpass the uncompromising style
of Tsukamoto’s enigmatic delights. Presented for the first time in high
definition, they’re simply unmissable. AW
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