The zombie apocalypse arrives in Japan with a bang in Shinsuke Sato’s adaptation of Kengo Hanazawa’s manga series, a horror-comedy tale in which a virus has struck Tokyo, turning people into ferocious cannibals. Sad-sack Hideo Suzuki (Yô Ôizumi), a failed would-be comic artist, has just been tossed out by his disgusted girlfriend, but he happens to be carrying his prize possession—a shotgun (a rarity in a society that is pretty much firearm-free). Although Hideo is reluctant to use it (one of his endearingly silly qualities is his adherence to the restrictions of the government-issued certificate of ownership), the weapon acts as a balance to his natural cowardice, even as others try to wrest it away from him. Hideo links up with a somber but spunky schoolgirl (Kasumi Arimura) to make their way to the top of Mount Fuji, a place—according to news reports—where the virus has no effect, but they stop at an isolated shopping mall harboring a group of survivors, and here Hideo will eventually display his marksmanship in final battles against both human rivals and attacking zombies. I Am a Hero differs from other entries in the zombie pack in both its sense of humor and unusual creature effects, which depict the ravenous horde as fast-moving contortionists rather than hulking slow-pokes. Add a heaping helping of gore, and Sato’s movie becomes a wild, exuberant genre ride. Recommended. (F. Swietek)
I Am a Hero
Funimation, 127 min., in Japanese w/English subtitles, not rated, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $34.99 Volume 33, Issue 6
I Am a Hero
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