Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 30, 1995 TAG: 9510030010
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
"Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD" is the "Citizen Kane" of Troma movies.
The studio that has brought us "A Nymphoid Barbarian in Dinosaur Hell" and "Toxic Avenger III: The Last Temptation of Toxie" has reached new and hitherto unimagined heights with a terrific superhero spoof. The budget is low; the look grainy - this is still Troma, after all - but the humor has a sharp edge and attitude to burn.
Our hero is Sgt. Harry Griswold (Rick Gianasi) who is magically transformed into Kabukiman. His makeup and costume are based on a character in the traditional Japanese theater. The whys and wherefores of Harry's elevation to this new status are not completely clear, but they do involve eating worms. His antagonist is a billionaire (Bill Weeden) who has hatched a crackpot astrological plan to rule the world, or something to that effect. This bad guy has enlisted the help of street thugs and a larcenous black preacher in his nefarious scheme. Kabukiman's weapons are flying chopsticks, full-contact sushi and his slam bang parasol.
Unfortunately, Harry doesn't know how to use all of his new Kabuki powers, and his Japanese girlfriend (Susan Byun) provides little help. Troma founders and co-directors Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz keep the action fast and silly, and they don't let their strong liberal social commentary get in the way. I hope this is the first in a long series.
"Sgt. Kabukiman" is due in video stores soon. This week's other new videos are actually re-releases.
Sometimes, when you revisit the film favorites of your youth, you find yourself a bit embarrassed. What once seemed so wonderful is now faded and not quite as good in reality as it has been in memory. That, I am happy to report, is not the case with Federico Fellini's "Amarcord."
It is every bit as funny and moving and sexy and bawdy now as it was more than 20 years ago. And the new videotape release by Home Vision Cinema is a brilliant transfer. The image is letterboxed in the original widescreen ratio, with bright subtitles and a crystalline image.
For videophiles who might somehow have missed this one, the partially autobiographical film is about Fellini's coming of age, set in the little town of Rimini in 1930s Fascist Italy. It's a dreamlike, non-linear narrative - the title translates "I Remember" - with a plot that's less important than individual images and scenes: the opening montage of spring, the ocean liner, the bonfire, the peacock in the snow. And, of course, there's also Nino Rota's music. He was Fellini's longtime collaborator and, to my mind, this was their finest work together. But then, in all honesty, I have to admit a certain lack of objectivity here. "Amarcord" is one of those movies I love as uncritically as ever, and I'm really happy to see it back on tape.
Despite the fact that it's 45 years old, "Cinderella" ought to be a hit with today's young audience. To be sure, entertainment tastes have changed, as have ideas about women's roles in society, but this feature is still fresh and fun to watch. It has everything that Disney fans expect: bright colors, intricate backgrounds, fully developed characters and a solid story, economically told.
Kids will be hooked by the songs and the familiar plot. Adults can look to the details. In a closeup shot, for example, notice the textured skin on the Stepmother's hand. That level of craftsmanship is what has separated the best Disney animation from the rest of the field. (By the way, the Stepmother was created by artists Frank Thomas and Harvey Toombs and was given expressive voice by Eleanor Audley.)
And even though the film was released in the same year that Sen. Joseph McCarthy made his famous 57-Communists-in-the-State-Department speech, this version of the story has a radical political element. It can be interpreted as a manifesto urging the downtrodden workers (Cindy and her rodent pals) to rise up and free themselves from their bourgeois oppressors.
All right, that's a stretch, but the one aspect of the film that may disappoint today's more aggressive and action-oriented youngsters is the lack of a definitive comeuppance for the Stepmother and Stepsisters, particularly after the dress-ripping scene, one of Disney's most emotional moments. In 1950, "happily ever after" endings didn't have to include revenge.
Next week: Families, tribes and other groups!
New Releases this week:
French Kiss ***
Starring Meg Ryan, Kevin Kline. Directed by Lawrence Kasdan. FoxVideo. 106 min. Rated PG-13 for strong language, subject matter.
Director Kasdan and his stars bring slick Hollywood style to a European romantic comedy. In this curiously constructed film, the plot is secondary to characters and atmosphere. Imagine "Sleepless in Seattle" with a much lighter touch and a French sensibility.
Rob Roy ** 1/2
Starring Liam Neeson and Jessica Lange. MGM/UA. 139 min.
An overblown, melodramatic epic. You've got your mysterious, macho central character, your headstrong female partner, and your deadly sibling rivalry thing. The script doesn't even give Neeson and Lange much to work with. As a travelogue for Scotland, however, ``Rob Roy'' can't be beat. Rated R for explicit violence.
The Essentials
Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD *** Troma. (time not listed; about 90 min.) Rated PG-13 for violence, strong language, subject matter.
Amarcord **** Home Vision Cinema (1-800-826-3456 x.305). 127 min. Rated R for subject matter, coarse humor, brief nudity, strong language.
Cinderella *** 1/2 Disney. 76 min. Rated G.
by CNB