Take Five
By George Rose
October 14, 2009
Directed by and starring Hitoshi Matsumot, the movie is sort of a hybrid between Godzilla, Hancock and TV's The Office. It's about a man, known as Big Man Japan, who grows hundreds of feet tall when he is electrocuted through the nipples at a government agency. His mission is to protect Japan against the slew of monsters that attack, all of which are unlike any monster in Godzilla. There's no Mothra or Mechagodzilla here. Instead we have giant stink monsters that mate in the middle of a city and a giant baby, among others. What makes it like Hancock is the way in which Big Man Japan doesn't seem to enjoy or care much about his heroic title. It doesn't help that so many of the Japanese citizens think he's lazy and problematic, but it definitely adds to the humor of the movie. In fact, the theater owner made mention that the movie isn't to be taken seriously. It's meant to be enjoyed and laughed at, which isn't hard considering The Office style in which it's shot. Between battle sequences, Big Man Japan is interviewed by the camera man. Sarcastic humor isn't usually found in Godzilla movies but it works extremely well here, given the different elements used to tell Big Man's story.
The experience as a whole was a blast. I discovered a new little venue right around the corner from my house, can now say I've been to an International Film Festival and got to see an awesome Japanese monster movie that most people in America probably haven't heard of. Unfortunately the festival is over so I won't be able to report on any of the other movies playing, but I'm sure I'll be able to dig up some fun ones for next week's Take Five. Until then, enjoy what looks to be a great weekend at the movies with the releases of Where the Wild Things Are and Law Abiding Citizen.
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