Yokai Monsters (spook warfare) . . . Andrew, How could you have missed this one?

[Rob Phillips]

If ever there was a movie made for MS3000 theatre, this is it.

I'm going to have to watch it again before I can explain it, but Imagine . . no I can't even go that far . . . you just have to see this movie, 2.5 slimers as a movie, but 1.5 bonus slimers for being really awful and weird (in a kinda good way).

try this link, it's goofier than it looks!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00008OTTK/qid=1054620318/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/102-1629739-3221733?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846

review form amazon.com:
"While storming the ruins of Babylonia, thieves unearth the ancient tomb of the wicked vampire demon Daimon. The demon flees to Japan, where he takes possession of Lord Isobe's soul and begins to feed on innocent townspeople. An astute villager suspects local patriarch Isobe has become a bloodthirsty demon and seeks help from friendly Yokai (Spirit Monsters) to uncover the truth. Will the army of Yokai be enough to help vanquish the dreaded Daimon, or will the villagers fall prey to an unspeakable fate?"

Monsters are a cross between Godzilla type costumes and the muppetts on acid, in Japanese with subtitles (when they feel like it, some places have dialog with no subtitles at all . . . gotta luv it).

Thoughts?

Rob

[Cullen]

As I recall, this is Daiei'd (the company who made Gamera) answer to Destroy All Monsters.  Up until today, I didn't know it was released in the states.  Something to seek out!

More info cam be found here

Now, if only they'd release The Magic Serpent...
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[mr. henry]

i'm intrigued...and netflix has it!!!...i just added it to my rental list...for someone like me in a small town with limited rental opportunities, netflix is a lifesaver.

thanks for the obscure recommendation...

[Foywonder]

Keep in mind that Yokai are based on actual Japanese myths so while it may seem all weird and goofy, its probably just something getting lost in translation on a Western moviegoer. Yokai is very much something steeped in Japanese culture.

[Chris K.]

The Yokai Monsters was a change of pace from what the company Daiei Motion Picture Co. was making, such as the Gamera films. Now, this isn't the first time Daiei has made a horror/fantasy special effects epic. Within the period of 1966, Daiei had made three films GIANT MAJIN (U.S. Titles: MAJIN/MAJIN THE MONSTER OF TERROR), THE GIANT MAJIN GROWS ANGRY (U.S. Title: RETURN OF GIANT MAJIN), and THE GREAT MAJIN'S COUNTERATTACK.

SPOOK WARFARE is actually the second in the Yokai Monster trillogy. The first was 100 MONSTERS (1968) and the third was ALONG WITH GHOSTS (1969), which would feature underrated Japanese actor Kojiro Hongo. Hongo also was in three Gamera films: GREAT MONSTER DUEL: GAMERA VS. BARUGON (U.S. Title: WAR OF THE MONSTERS), GIANT MONSTER AIR BATTLE: GAMERA VS. GYAOS (U.S. Title: RETURN OF THE GIANT MONSTERS), and GAMERA VS. THE OUTER SPACE MONSTER VIRUS (U.S. Title: DESTROY ALL PLANETS).

Funny how this was brought up because I just watched SPOOK WARFARE last night and thought it was quite good and definately a change of pace from the Gamera or Majin films. It was great that ADV Films has issued SPOOK WARFARE on DVD; 100 MONSTERS and ALONG WITH GHOSTS are going to be released on DVD by ADV Films as well. I do hope to see ADV Films also pick up the old Gamera films for DVD as well and maybe some other Japanese monster film titles.

[Andrew]

I do have this one, just no idea when a review might be forthcoming.

The film is interesting.  The problem is, besides a few small tries, they never try to really show the spirits using their powers.  The water imp squirting water at the vampire was a good touch.  Unfortunately, it was one of too few such bits.  For the most part, the movie put me to sleep.

[Rob Phillips]

Andrew:

This movie is funnier after about three servings of adult refreshments and completly ignoring the dialog . . . we dubbed (adlib) our own script as we went along (ala What's Up Tiger Lily, wasn't a s good . . . but lots of fun!). You can beat the snake head woman wrappping around the bad guy, and having a portion of the baloon (aka her neck) begin deflating!

Rob