TOMIE UNLIMITED

TOMIE UNLIMITED

(A.k.a. TOMIE: ANRIMITEDDO)

It all starts sweetly enough, with schoolgirl Tsukiko (Moe Arai) walking home from photography club with a smile on her face and best pal Kae (Aika Ota) at her side. It swiftly becomes apparent that Tsukiko has the hots for a boy at school, Toshio (Kensuke Owada).

Midway home the pair is greeted by Tsukiko�s older sister, the beautiful Tomie (Miu Nakamura). She�s the type of girl that all the boys want to bed, and all the girls � including Tsukiko � want to be. Imagine Tsukiko�s envy, then, when she discovers that Tomie is with Toshio.

A short while later and having superficially reconciled their differences, the sisters get together so Tomie, a surprisingly sensitive type considering her beauty and popularity, can pose for a shoot on Tsukiko�s camera. Alas, this quality time doesn�t last long: lead piping which forms part of a building construction nearby where Tsukiko�s snapping away collapses, a piece of it running through Tomie and slaying her in gory fashion. Note the teardrop of blood that trickles down her face.

Tsukiko is traumatised. She spends the next year racked with guilt over Tomie�s death (was it as innocent as others believe?), unable to sleep at night for fear of the bad dreams the darkness brings.

Exactly one year later, Tsukiko and her parents are pulling themselves together by preparing an intimate party for what would�ve been Tomie�s 18th birthday. A knock comes at the door and Tsukiko�s folks are delighted when they find Tomie, seemingly alive and unharmed, on the other side. With tears of joy they welcome their eldest daughter back into the fold as if the last year never occurred (a bit of a �Bobby Ewing� moment, but hey ho). Tsukiko, meanwhile, is slightly more anxious by her sister�s surprise return ...

Following the popular Manga series and spate of films already made on this subject, TOMIE UNLIMITED comes from Noboru Iguchi � the guy behind gorefests such as THE MACHINE GIRL and MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD.

This is certainly more polished and slicker-looking than Iguchi�s previous outings, benefitting from a bigger budget and more filmic look. It also consciously relaxes its pace somewhat, allowing for more heart to show than in previous Iguchi efforts. This is crucial to the crux of the Tomie stories, as the central character is fundamentally a demon with little comprehension of her afterlife state, and yet determined to use her powers in a bid to right wrongs. She�s meant to be endearing despite her sometimes ungodly deeds � and the director ensures that she is.

Nakamura plays the lead role just right, while Arai steals the show as the complex younger sister.

Elsewhere, let it not be said that UNLIMITED doesn�t deliver on the director�s more traditional ingredients. The film does provide its share of gore, along with some effectively executed nightmare scenarios which at one point incorporate the alarming sight of huge centipedes brandishing girls� faces. Yoshihiro Nishimura (COLD FISH; LOVE EXPOSURE) oversaw the FX work and does a great job of keeping the red stuff coming.

It�s testament to the film�s skill that it stays true to the tone of the original Tomie Manga stories and incorporates their central themes of family, love, faith and redemption, while never compromising in terms of pacing or appealing to those looking for their visceral thrills.

Probably Iguchi�s best film so far as a director (he�s also an established screenwriter), it seems almost a pity that his next production is entitled ZOMBIE ASS: TOILET OF THE DEAD ...

Coming to the UK from no less a stable than Eureka! Entertainment (well, their Bounty Films sideline), TOMIE UNLIMITED is presented uncut on DVD in its original 1.78:1 aspect ratio.

The picture is enhanced for 16x9 television sets and looks fairly good. Certainly, images are more colourful and brighter than is usual for modern Japanese fare. However, as is the norm with a lot of films of this ilk, the transfer is somewhat soft. Still, it�s clean and clear ... my only other reservation about it would be the dulled black schemes.

Japanese audio on the screener disc provided comes in a healthy, consistent 2.0 track. Optional English subtitles are well-written and easy to read.

The disc opens with a static main menu page which atmospherically recreates the cover�s enigmatic artwork.

From there, a static scene-selection menu provides access to the main feature via 13 chapters.

By far the best of the minimal extra features is a 55-minute chat with director Iguchi. Set in a high-rise apartment, this finds the amiable filmmaker talking openly about how he got his break in the industry, his attitude to onscreen violence, his relationship with "Tomie" and much more. Fans will relish in this opportunity to get closer to the man behind some of the fruitiest Japanese films in recent memory.

Next up is the film�s original 76-second trailer. Beginning with a mischievous female voiceover stating "Sorry, horror fans, for the half-hearted films you�ve had to endure till now", this proceeds to serve up a quickly edited montage of TOMIE�S more splattery and ambient moments.

All bonus material comes in original Japanese audio with English subtitles.

A vengeful zombie schoolgirl with a heart of gold that compels her to take out bullies and wrong�uns? Surely it�s a premise you can�t go far wrong with. Although, anyone who�s seen the previous Tomie films will tell you of their disappointment. Of all people, Noboru Iguchi is the man who�s finally done the series justice.

Also available on blu-ray.

Review by Stuart Willis


 
Released by Bounty Films
Region 2 - PAL
Rated 18
Extras :
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