February 4, 2005

{ Wild Zero: A DVD for the ages }

Ordinarily, I don't bother with the US releases of Asian cult movies. But, in the case of Wild Zero, if you like watching your movies on small round discs, there isn't a better way to go. Wild Zero is the classic Japanese rock-and-roll zombie horror film, starring the ubiquitous and utterly nonsensical band Guitar Wolf. The story, such as it is, opens with Ace, a young rock-and-roll poser with a massive rock-and-roll pompadour. Ace has committed himself to rocking harder than Guitar Wolf ever could. But, when Ace inadvertently stumbles in and saves the lives of Guitar Wolf, Bass Wolf, and Drum Wolf, Guitar Wolf himself pledges his fidelity to Ace, and gives him a magical whistle with which Ace is to call the band members whenever Ace is in need. Good thing, because evil space aliens are turning earthlings into zombies, and Ace is soon caught in the middle of it. The plot may drag its feet a little in its third act--if that's even possible--but, come now, in a movie like this, the sheer existence of a plot is just icing on the rock-and-roll cake. Suffice to say that, in a coming-of-age romance with zombies and gunfire, the fact that scriptwriters even tried to tie up the loose ends of plot is a feat unto itself. So the DVD is already a must-have. But why obligate yourself to the US release? Well, for all you film geeks, the movie is presented in anamorphic widescreen (albeit in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, damning you to a "hard matte"), and the English subtitles are, for the most part, absolutely outstanding. But one special feature stands head-and-shoulders above the rest: the US DVD of Wild Zero includes a Drinking Game! Oh, sure, at first glance this feature isn't that snazzy--the Drinking Game is simply a frothy beer mug icon that appears in the upper right corner of the screen at the appropriate time--until, that is, you attempt to drink to the drinking game. Oh, I attempted it. I tried. I passed out. In short, if it's Wild Zero you want--and for the love of god, you should want Wild Zero--then it's the US release you want. As for the band Guitar Wolf, they're currently in the United States on their Love Rock 2005 Tour. Check them out. Contributed by Jenn Frank

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By Alan Smithee in Film & TV | Comments:

Comments

What, are you trying to make me fall in love with you or something? First you drop some "Eerie, Indiana" and "Square One TV" references on my Twelves 90's TV post, and then a review of Wild Zero?

Geez, I'm crushing HARD over here!
Jenn's got mad good taste....

Posted by: Adam at February 4, 2005 9:45 PM

I've been singing the praises of this celluloid gem for years. ROCK N ROLL!!!

Posted by: Eric at February 5, 2005 12:26 AM

I've been wanting to see this for ages! Awesome.

Posted by: Al aka El Negro Magnifico at February 9, 2005 3:17 PM