VIDEO REVIEW: Godzilla vs The Sea Monster

VIDEO REVIEW: Invasion of Astro-Monster

VIDEO REVIEW: King Kong Escapes

VIDEO REVIEW: Mothra vs Godzilla

VIDEO REVIEW: King Kong vs Godzilla

VIDEO REVIEW: Gojira

VIDEO REVIEW: Ironfinger 2: Goldeneye

VIDEO REVIEW: Ironfinger

i SPY ASIASPY: Ironfinger 2

Ironfinger 2: Goldeneye
Director: Jun Fukuda
Year 1968
 
Ironfinger 2: Goldeneye, AKA Goldeneyes, AKA Booted Babe Busted Boss, is a sequel to the wild Asiaspy flick Ironfinger, which continues the further adventures of Interpol agent/everyman Andrew Hoshino. Shot in the same daring style and showcased with an energetic affinity, this pleasurable spy film has enough entertaining moments and espionage-filled antics to satisfy any lover of the sub-genre. With Akira Takarada reprising his role as Andrew Hoshino, you know that you’re in for an enjoyable cinematic ride that mirrors the first film, yet adds a slew of memorable characters to spice up the formula a bit. Like its predecessor, Ironfinger 2 is a mile-a-minute adventure filled with beautiful women, dangerous villains, and a charismatic lead that makes this movie a joy to watch.
 
The film follows Interpol agent Andrew Hoshino as he gets mixed up in another hair-raising mission that involves the recovery of a cache of gold which has been hidden away from the world and kept in secrecy. After a man steals a piece of the treasure from the wealthy Stonefeller, a blind and corrupt entrepreneur, it’s up to Andrew to track down the leads and obtain the coin before Stonefeller and his thugs can get their hands on it. Recovering the stolen coin won’t be easy, because a number of opportunists, both on the payroll of Stonefeller and outside of his organization, are on the look out for the treasure, making Andrew’s job that much more difficult and interesting. As the plot thickens, Andrew makes an unlikely partnership with one of Stonefeller’s agents, a sexy and lethal woman by the name of Ruby. Together they decide to take the coin for themselves and rendezvous to a tropical island in order to live out their dreams, but can they overcome the odds stacked against them? If anyone can, it would be Andrew. Do it Hoshino you crazy son of a bitch!

Akira Takarada returns to the role that seemed tailor made for him in the first Ironfinger film as the agent with all the right moves, Andrew Hoshino. Reprising the character with the same outstanding charisma and infectious attitude, Akira doesn’t miss a beat as the film bursts into motion displaying his stylish new threads and trademark wit. This time around the film doesn’t really play with his character’s ambiguity too much, opting to dive right in to the fun and energy of the mission. I watched both Ironfinger and Ironfinger 2, back to back, and Akira’s performance in each film is pitch-perfect across the board. The bridging of the two films is seamless when it comes to Akira’s portrayal of the super agent Andrew, and the whimsical nature of his character is as enjoyable as it’s ever been in this continuation. As I’ve said before, Akira’s portrayal is the heart of the first movie, giving it a life and energy that is just a blast to see play out, and the same can be said for this entry as well. When it comes to Asian-inspired James Bond representations, no one does it quite like Akira Takarada.
 
Makoto Sato takes on the role of Detective Tezuka, the chief of police, a character that was featured in the first film but played by a far older and clumsier man. The choice to go with a younger more streamlined version for Tezuka is a strange one, and it took me a few seconds to realize that Sato was playing the same role that Ichiro Arishima nailed in the first Ironfinger entry, but even with the oddity of the character change I still enjoyed what Sato brought to the table. Tezuka still fills a comedic niche in the movie, but it’s more of a subtle performance compared to Ichiro’s over-the-top pratfalls and lunacy. Stepping up into the two female roles of the piece are Bibari Maeda as Ruby and Tomomi Sawa as Mitsuko. Ruby is a mysterious character whose intentions are always kind of fuzzy throughout the story. She’s dangerous and lethal, and often at times playing both sides against each other, making her an interesting foe for Andrew to tackle. Bibari does an amazing job with the role and I found myself warming up to her strange charm and alluring looks. On the other side of the coin is Mitsuko, an innocent young aspiring singer who really only factors into the story because she got swept up into the caper by accident. Tomomi looks great as the un-expecting, but opportunistic, bystander and she has an enjoyable and cute moment in the film where she gets to showcase her vocal talents during a musical number that allows her to display an array of wild outfits while dancing against some rather interesting backgrounds. All in all, the cast is sound for the roles that they are given and each person pulls their weight when it comes to moving the story along.

When it comes to style this movie has it down, providing some visually stunning moments and enough retro goodness to quench anyone’s thirst for gaudy designs and unusual wardrobes. One of the most pleasing aspects at the beginning of the film is in the form of Andrew’s color coordinated suit, which features him donned in a crimson red fedora with matching undershirt, along with one of the sweetest looking white suits these spy loving eyes have ever laid eyes on. The guy looks secret agent chic and nothing pays homage to Bond more than a kicking white suit and an attitude to match. The wardrobes of the characters are not the only thing to spruce up the appearance of the film, for the overall visual look of the locations and cinematography of the movie are top notch retro, with style to spare. From what I’ve come to notice with the Asiaspy genre, each film has a visual palette to it that equally matches its wild narrative and lively characters. Ironfinger 2 is no exception to that rule.
 
Along with the overall intense facade of the film, the movie has some equally expressive moments that really make you sit up and take notice. One in particular shows an army of carriage pushing nuns who trap our main characters in a gravel pit, using their decoy baby strollers as makeshift gun turrets as they unload on the good-guys with machine guns after their funeral wake. The moment is straight out of some spy spoof from the same era, but it is handled in a serious way with no pausing moment to reflect on the campiness of the situation. Another great scene has Akira Takarada replicating the iconic moment of the first film, where he allows the bad guy a heads start before gunning him down from long range. This sequence is mirrored, but in a different location. Instead of the sandy beach surrounded by tropical vegetation and crystal clear waters, we are placed on a grassy hill overlooking a deserted road which spans a suspension bridge across a wide river. Andrew allows the intended target to run as fast as he can across the bridge, nearly enabling the man to get away before displaying some unbelievable marksmanship when he finally delivers the death-blow that sends the man tumbling over the side of the bridge in an expertly choreographed motion. The reinsertion of this memorable moment is a nice touch and gives the character of Andrew a kind of trademark execution that enables us to view his colder, more calculating side. During the closing moments of the film, we’re given another gem in the form of a very tension filled scene that features Andrew and the evil Stonefeller in a most unusual gunfight. The interesting thing about this scene is that it is done all through sound, emphasizing the device that Stonefeller uses to compensate for his lack of vision and enhance anything that reverberates within the vicinity. Even though Stonefeller is old and handicapped, this scene makes him a fierce combatant and proves that he is both as deadly as he is greedy. I loved the closing character turn for Stonefeller and I felt the application of this twist enhanced the enjoyability of the finale, making him a worthy villain for Andrew.

Ironfinger 2 is a stupendous sequel which continues in the tradition of the original, while still adding a few bells and whistles here and there to the formula that really build onto what was already established as an enjoyable entry in the Asiaspy cannon of films. With the return of the main player Andrew Hoshino, and the inspiring portrayal by Akira Takarada, the film has a great continuity to the fun of the previous one, making you wish that they would have continued on with Andrew’s adventures in order to see what wacky thing he got into next. The rest of the cast do an amazing job to their credit, with Bibari Maeda giving a spirited performance that really rivals Mie Hama’s turn in the first film.
 
On top of the wonderful cast, the film allows the same style and panache, which was presented in the first entry, to shine all the more in this most enthralling sequel. Matching the visual look of the movie at every turn, the situations and action set-pieces are mirror images to the imagery, making for a duel presentation that is quite comfortable in its delivery. The world that the filmmakers set up in this movie is so fully realized and downright fun that you really can’t deny the abundance of enjoyment that you can get out of one single viewing of this wild masterpiece. After years of searching for this entry and the first in the series, it’s safe to say that the wait was more than worth it. Ironfinger 2 is a wonderful addition to my already packed Asiaspy collection, and I’m wholly satisfied with the overall quality of this production. Fun to the last drop, Ironfinger 2 is a…..

This guy is about to get hooked on this film.

What a show-off.

That... outfit... looks.... FABULOUS!

Real tough Andrew. Stealing lunch money from a kid. You should be ashamed!

Take that you sinning bastards!

Take this you crazy bitch!

I'm gonna shoot that stupid hat right off your head.

Give me some skin brotha.

It's going to be ok buddy. It's just a flesh wound.

These traveling window salesmen are getting pushier by the day!

I'm having fun with the sleepover, but when do we start the naked pillowfight?

These guys are having a blast!

Nothing like hunting human to get your blood boiling... again.

Get down you groovy kids. Get down!

You really have to find an easier way to go to the bathroom.

Hey hot stuff.... would you like to go out on a date with me, please?

That Stonefeller is one mean old bastard. Get off my lawn you damn kids!

She's got that look of sex in her eyes. Yes please!

i SPY ASIASPY: Ironfinger

Ironfinger
Director: Jun Fukuda
Year 1965
 
Ironfinger, AKA 100 Shot 100 Killed, is a fantastic Asiaspy entry that showcases all the fun things that make the Bond formula of spy flicks so entertaining while adding a bit of silliness to the proceedings that knock you for a loop. With a tongue-in-cheek attitude that graces every frame of this wildly stunning film, the proof is in the pudding that Toho productions could produce some insanely enjoyable features outside of the kaiju and sci-fi/horror realms. Ironfinger is a whimsical take on the James Bond aesthetic and you really can’t go wrong with this immensely fun outing and its cast of energetic characters.
 
The film follows an intriguing vacationer named Andrew Hoshino, who crosses paths and identities with a recently murdered Interpol agent and unexpectedly gets caught up in an espionage filled adventure that takes him through the crime ridden streets of Tokyo to the sandy covered beaches of the Philippines. Once Andrew takes on the mission, he finds himself pitted against two rival gangs who are vying for a shipment of firearms that an infamous arms dealer possesses, while at the same time dealing with a mysterious and beautiful explosives expert named Sawada Yumi, a goofy and comical police chief named Tezuka, and a cruel professional killer named Komori who loves to dowse his victims in a thick spray of acid. With action at every turn and danger around every bend, Andrew comes to find that being an Interpol agent is both perilous, but a whole hell of a lot of fun.

Akira Takarada plays the role of Andrew Hoshino, the ambiguous character that isn’t what he seems. The beautiful thing about this role is that you’re never really sure if Andrew is just a strange vacationer swept up in all of these espionage antics, or if he truly is an Interpol agent assigned to take down the bad guys. The uncertainty of the role is quite special and the fact that Andrew is so efficient at killing and escaping insurmountable odds leans heavily on him being an agent, but because of his wild portrayal of the character and his odd behavior, you really can’t peg him down on either side of the fence. Akira does a wonderful job with the role and his style and attitude is what makes the film so enjoyable to watch. His charisma shines in this movie and the playful way in which he showcases all of his agent character’s skill and panache is ridiculously hypnotic. If there is one thing that just works perfectly in this film and encapsulates the overall attitude and energy of the production, it would be Akira’s mesmerizing performance.
 
Filling up the rest of the cast is Mie Hama as the stunning explosives expert Sawada Yumi, whose allegiance is always hazy with intentions that hover mysteriously over the film. Mie looks amazing in this film and you can tell why she was chosen as a Bond girl a few years later for the entry You Only Live Twice. She has that femme fatale look and feel down to a science and she electrifies the frame whenever she comes onto the screen. She does an amazing job in this film and I only wish that I could hunt down her performance in Key of Keys, the original film that was created from Woody Allen’s dubbed masterpiece What’s Up, Tiger Lily?. Another memorable role in Ironfinger is performed by Ichiro Arishima as the bumbling chief of police, Detective Tezuka. He brings a great deal of physical comedy to the film that meshes exceptionally well with Akira Takarada’s more subtle comedically timed quips and overall smooth delivery. Another standout, yet painfully underused role, is Akihiko Hirata’s take on the professional killer Komori. Cruel to the last and specializing in using acid as his signature murder weapon, Akihiko does a great job in delivering a character that would fit right in with the long line of interesting Bond villains. It’s just too bad that he wasn’t used more intricately within the story.

I mentioned it earlier, but I can’t stress it enough, this film is loads of fun. From the ambiguous nature of the character of Andrew Hoshino, to the fast-paced and comical moments of the film, to the stylish look of the end product, Ironfinger is a cinematic gem that is as equally entertaining as it is enthralling. Without a doubt the movie delivers on all that you would expect from the trailer and the fun of it all is seeing it all play out. From double-crossings, impressive stunts, and hilarious character interactions, the film has it all. As a film from beginning to end, the atmosphere is energetic and quirky, providing a stage where wacky situations occur a mile a minute and do so with great aplomb.
 
Most of these crazy situations can be attributed to the cast of accomplished actors who really thrive with the eccentricities of their characters. As previously stated, Akira Takarada as Andrew Hoshino is wonderful and his cool and laid back style is hypnotizing to watch. There is a memorable scene during the closing moments of the film that has him gunning down a villain in a very interesting way. Instead of just blowing the guy away, Andrew decides to give the man a sporting chance by throwing a gun out onto the beach and allowing the doomed man a heads start. He agrees to not fire until the man has the gun in his possession and the build-up to this moment is exceptionally crafted, as this life or death situation takes place across this beautiful and idyllic location amidst the Philippines’ gorgeous coastline. Director Jun Fukuda captures the breathtaking splendor of the landscape and juxtaposes this against a rather brutal and savage execution, resulting in one of the most iconic moments of the film and a perfect end to a fantastically pleasurable movie.

Ironfinger encapsulates everything that I love in the genre of 60’s spy cinema and that’s sly wit, ridiculous action, diverse characters, and memorable moments. The movie is packed to the gills with these elements and it’s showcased in such a visually pleasing manor that you’d be hard-pressed in not finding a good time in this flick. With its tendency towards the bizarre and the over the top nature of its cinematic world, Ironfinger has no trouble keeping the attention of the audience glued to the screen.
 
It also doesn’t hurt that the film has a cast that fits perfectly within the confines of the story as they jump out to entertain us at every turn. Akira Takarada, Mie Hama, and Ichiro Arishima do a wonderful job in melding with this wacky world that director Jun Fukuda has set up and their interactions between each other are priceless in their deliveries. Akira Takarada especially runs with the role of Andrew Hoshino and gives a performance that is simply madcap crazy and enjoyable to the last. Of the number of Asiaspy films that I’ve come across, Ironfinger is definitely the best of the bunch and if you’re looking for a staple of the genre, then I suggest you hunt down this little known gem. It’s absolutely amazing! Ironfinger is…..

Gee, I love the hat mister. Where'd you get it from?

It's not lady like to fart in an automobile!

So I've got guns... big whoop.

Get the hell out from under my chair asshole!

Is it hot in here or is it just Mie?

You fiend! Just let me put on some pants!

Now let's talk about how I get my pants back on.

Absolutely no farting in my car mister.

Check out my hat, it's super awesome!

That's not a hat..... This is a HAT!

The next person to let a stink-nugget out in my car is getting bitch-slapped.

Not the best hiding place Yumi, but I'll give you an A for effort.

Raise your hands, raise your hands if your sure!

Real mature Tezuka!

Ok you've got us, but I have to admit those pants are exquisite.

Congratulations Andrew! You win the gold medal!

Nothing like hunting a guy to get your blood pumping.

Good... Bad... I'm the guy with the gun.

See you suckers later. I'm gonna get laid.

REVIEW: Mothra vs. Godzilla

Mothra vs. Godzilla
Director: Ishiro Honda
Year 1964

Mothra vs. Godzilla is yet another Ishiro Honda directed extravaganza, brought to us by the wonderful production company Toho. In this explosive film, we bare witness to two iconic movie monsters as they duke it out in all the visual flare and skilled direction that Japanese filmmaking legend, Ishiro Honda can muster. With a monumental scale and enough explosive moments to shake a stick at, this monster battle is a great addition to the already stellar library of Godzilla entries.

After a violent storm ravages the coast, a gigantic egg washes up on the shore of a small seaside village, prompting a greedy developer to purchase the rights to the egg in order to exploit it for financial gain. Unfortunately for him, the egg belongs to Mothra, a ridiculously large moth, who sends its two miniature-sized, twin female friends to plead with the developer to release the egg back to them. Scoffing at the thought of letting his money-making idea fall to the wayside, he attempts to capture the two pint-sized wonders and exploit them along with the egg, but they escape his greedy grasp. Meanwhile, the same volatile storm that washed up the egg has also awakened Godzilla, and now he is on a rampage destroying everything in sight. With the threat of Godzilla reaching epic proportions, it is up to a small group of do-gooders comprised of a news reporter, a photographer, and a wise professor, to beg for Mothra’s forgiveness and ask him to aid in the fight against the unstoppable Godzilla. Is one giant moth enough or does Mothra have something else in store for this terrible lizard?

The cast of Mothra vs. Godzilla is a real treat, filled with some very familiar actors of some of Toho’s more memorable flicks. Akira Takarada plays the stern but sensible news reporter Ichiro Sakai. Takarada definitely seems like a favorite actor of the Toho Company, because he starred in a great deal of films for the production company over a tremendous span of time, playing a wild array of interesting characters. Some of his outstanding work would be the ultimate classic monster movie Godzilla, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Latitude Zero, King Kong Escapes, and even the nifty AsiaSpy entry Ironfinger. In Mothra vs. Godzilla, he takes on the essential role of Ichiro, who is challenged with the task of convincing Mothra to save the people of Japan from the menacing Godzilla. He plays his character with a sympathetic tone and he conveys the role of stand-up guy to perfection. I always enjoy stumbling onto a film that has him in a substantial capacity, because I know I’m in for a good time.

Yuriko Hoshi takes on the role of news photographer Junko Nakanishi, who has been recently assigned to work under Ichiro Sakai as a photo journalist. Hoshi gives a predictable, but highly enjoyable turn as the innocent young woman who is determined to help out the pair of miniature twins in getting their precious Mothra egg back. Though her role is rather typical and stereotypical to boot, she makes the best of it and gives a great performance alongside her male counterparts.

Another wonderful addition to the cast, and fellow Toho vet, is the brilliant Hiroshi Koizumi as Professor Miura. If you’ve seen one Toho Company production, chances are that you’ve come across one of his works. The man has done so many great films that I dare not list them all down in fear of jumbling up this write-up with a long list of grandiose titles, but I’ll rundown some of his essential performances; Godzilla Raids Again, Mothra, Matango, and Atragon. His character in Mothra vs. Godzilla is a patient one, never getting hot headed and always coming off as the voice of reason. He brings a much needed weight to the trio of good doers, balancing out their trifecta and supporting the role of figurehead for the group. Once again, Hiroshi performs spectacularly in this film, notching another fantastic role under his acting belt.

Now let’s get on to the meat and potatoes of this monster flick and that would be the monsters themselves. Both beasts are prominently featured in this Kaiju entry, giving each character the respect that they deserve without having either one of them overshadowing the other. Mothra looks fantastic as he flies across the screen and Godzilla comes off as a wrecking ball of pain when doing his destruction thing. Each monster is also designed beautifully with Godzilla especially looking quite fierce. There’s a good balance of old school design and practical aesthetics for the Godzilla costume and the updating that has been done to the traditional design gives a subtle and more modernized look for the iconic creature. It’s always nice to see a film production pay their respects to the originators of the character, while at the same time progressing it gently along in order for it to remain fresh and exciting. Each monster looks great and they just shine when appearing on screen.

What is most interesting about both of the characters of Mothra and Godzilla, is that they showcase the good and bad side effects of the Atomic Age. We are shown the devastating effects that the atomic bomb has had on the island where Mothra lives, and we bare witness to the awesome power that Godzilla is able to unleash on the people of Japan because of his effects from the radiation, but it was also nice to see a catalyst to this problem in the good hearted nature of Mothra and his people. They have felt the effects of the atomic bomb and have had their world turned upside down by the wars of the outside world, but they still opt to help our main characters in their time of need, giving hope that mankind can learn from their warring ways and forget the past and move on. It is a lesson that is hidden in the background of the film, behind the monumental battles between Mothra and Godzilla, but it is there for anyone to catch and it is hinted at on a number of occasions by the main characters and like. I’ve always enjoyed the correlation between Japan’s fears of another Atomic Age and the creation of Godzilla to cope with this lingering memory of what already happened to their country and in this entry it is touched upon beautifully. With each entry of the Godzilla series, I come to respect the character more and more and to be able to witness the ever changing evolution of this movie monster in such a quick succession, thanks to coming into the game rather late, is a joy to see unfold. There has never been a more impressive cinematic beast in all of filmmaking and the tradition is kept strong with Mothra vs. Godzilla.

Mothra vs. Godzilla is an outstanding Kaiju entry that brings the knowledge of all prior productions to the forefront in order to make a highly enjoyable monster mash of a film. Each monstrous creature is treated with reverence when it comes to the functionality and overall look of their respected designs. When we see these two creatures go head to head, it is nothing less then spectacular, and in the end that is what we tuned in to see.

The cast also does a great deal of heavy lifting in holding this film up as an entertaining sight. Akira Takarada, Yuriko Hoshi, and Hiroshi Koizumi do a tremendous job with their individual characters and you really can’t ask any more from them then what they brought to the table here. As a late admirer of these types of flicks, I find it an amazing journey to be able to discover all of these great films for the first time and to get the chance to quickly scour through the archives of one of the most expansive franchises the cinema world has ever seen. Mothra vs. Godzilla is a movie that is just plain fun to watch and I’d recommend you check it out for yourself in a heart beat. You really can’t go wrong when these two iconic movie monsters get together and this film solidifies that fact. This is one monster flick that…..

Happy Easter everyone!

You shouldn't have climbed up there if you didn't know how to get down.

The cast tries to wrap their heads around the idea of miniature twins.

Mothra is going to be pissed when he sees this.

So what do you think of my Hitler stache. Pretty sweet huh?

The world's most bland striptease. Take it off!

The cast experiences a cringe-worthy moment.

Take that you piece of crap factory!

Looks like someone was wearing the wrong gang colors in this hood. Drive by!

Are you two going to sing all day or are we going to go kick Godzilla's ass?

Godzilla has the hankering for an oversized omelette.

How come I'm the only one who had to wear this stupid helmet?
I guess you're just special Jimmy. I guess your just special.

Godzilla's on fire! Let that motherfucker burn!

Please, please, please watch our movie.

Who brought the two oversized turds to the party?

Get that shit out of my face!

Check out the twins and their rough and tough posse. Hard as hell!

The cast bids a fond farewell to the movie.