Product Description: Now all over Japan children begin to disappear and terrifying monsters start attacking people. This is the work of evil spirits antipathetic to the realm of human existence. Their villainy also extends to the ancient sprits of Japan who begin one by one to fall victim. This is following the story of one of the Japanese Tales.The country s ancient spirits Shojo the Kirin Herald Kawahime the River Princess Kawataro the Kappa River Sprite the Azuki-Bean Washer and the others join with Tadashi the Kirin Rider in a battle to the finish with the Yomotsumono the cursed evil army.Tadashi's adventure promises to be full of surprises! This journey is more exciting and modern than the Legend Japanese Cartoon "Gegege no Kitarou".System Requirements:Running Time: 124 MinutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: SCI-FI/FANTASY Rating: NR UPC: 631595063387 Manufacturer No: TSDVD-0633
What an escape I will not waste people's time with a synopsis of the plot. I just wanted to say how happy I was to see the "Yokai Festival." Portraying the Yokai as innocent idiots was well done. Unlike most zealots in America, I WOULD recommend this to children. Yes, it is intense. Yes, at times it is a little nuts. But its no worse than some of the movies I grew up with and my parents took me to see. Ghostbusters always weirded me out. Would I keep my 8 yr old from seeing it? Hell no! We have a habit of tryiing to shelter our kids. This movie is now inappropriate for young viewers. Its no creepier than "The Neverending Story." I remember horses dying, an offscene evil presence, and many other aspects. This movie is no darker than Harry Potter. If you are an adult that wants to just escape from reality, this one is good for you too.
Azuki Beans!! This is one of my daughters favorite movies, she is 2&1/2. The movie is about a little boy named Tadashi and his adventures with yokai spirits. The movie has a really great underlying lesson to teach youth - that which you waste and how humans damage the environment can affect us later in life, the premise being that the yokai spirits are innocense,youth, and protecting of the earth, and the evil characters (Agi & Lord Kato) to be evil and destructive to the environment and humankind. My daughter especially loves sunekosuri (the rabbit like yokai) and kawahime.
It a homework movie I've never seen the English dub but I'm gathering if I saw this as a kid I would have been scared but would have watched it ever weekend afterward. Now that I read, I've watched this movie countless times in Japanese, and honestly some of it only makes sense after I make up a reason for it being that way, but its not the kind of film watched for its Oscar plot but for it story telling and the costumes. I mean japans acclaimed horror director made this children's ghost story Takashi Miike. Director of such films a Audition, and Gozu and here he is making a film for kids and his treatment is dark but true to the original sours. Yokai a old suit monster movie from the 60s and 70s. Three of the major film is here in America the rest still not released here. But that's ok, this films here and here to stay.
Also the acting from the supports and the main kid are superb, the kid actually scared me with his ability during some of the battle scenes. And I'm not going to say the graphics are good there not but the par for Japanese pop films of our age. And again you don't watch a Japanese monster movie for the CGI but for the people in Suits. And you wont be disappointed in this film, ever in the extra features there's a monster file where you can look at ever costume made for this film.
The thing that makes this film for me is that in America right now, American are become so scared for darker material is never seen in our cinema anymore and definitely not for kids programming, but a outlet needs to be there and with these amazing Japanese ghost tales your child can have that outlet safely constructed to come to the conclusion of berries made of love, cast way the evil. This film addresses issues of childhood and gives them a friend to go with to fight their demon under their beds.
3.8 starts good movie....excellent effects... The english sub-titles are easy to read and do not stop one from enjoying this fantasy movie. Its like the Neverending Story but with better effects and characters. Good for multiple viewings.
Surreal Fantasy Film By Takashi Miike: Strange, Fun & Weird! Not your typical Takashi Miike film, but then what is typical of Takashi Miike? You have to hand it to Miike: his cinematic range is far and wide. I bought this film along with "The Bird People Of China," a few weeks ago and viewed both of them on consecutive days. And I liked them both. Yeah, there is a cartoonish feel to the film, but there is also a very strange and weird feel to the film that appealed to me also. [Kids film huh?] The Yokai are based on Japanese folk tales, and the only other one I ever saw was the 1968 film, "Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare," which was so silly and lame that I never even finished viewing it. Therefore, I was hesitant at first to buy the film. But I'm glad I did. The film may not appeal to many who are used to Miike's usual fare of cinema, but I liked it anyway.
This imaginative fantasy film by Miike centers around a young boy named Tadashi (Ryunosuke Kamiki) whose mother and father have recently separated. They are now living with his grandfather. Neither are ever home [usually]. One day during the village festival, young Tadashi is chosen as the "kirin rider," who is supposed to be a champion of peace and justice. However, Tadashi's role as the 'kirin rider' will eventually propel him to fight the forces of darkness. This is one strange and totally unpredictable film. Moreover, Miike's take on a children's fantasy is one hell of a bizarre film. In Tadashi's attempt to save earth from the forces of darkness, Tadashi encounters the Yokai, who are there to help him on his journey. And I must say, they are some of the strangest characters I have ever seen in a fantasy film.
These Yokai are each bizarre characters, and with Miike behind the lens, you just know you're in for one hell of a ride. You have an odd assortment of Yokai, whose descriptions sound truly insane. From one-legged beasts, an umbrella jumping around on its only leg, spider-like balls, you name a shape, these creatures probably have it. The Yokai are truly bizarre characters. They are not at all like the silly rubber suited ones in the 1968 Yokai film. These ones are truly strange. In fact the entire film is strange. I don't know if I ever saw two Yokai that were the same. Each was unique, and the special effects people and costume designers must have had a field day creating these strange mythical characters of Japanese folklore.
The visuals in the film were very good, not great, but pretty darn good. I am not into fantasy films, and only watch them because my two young daughters like fantasy. Therefore, the only time I ever watch fantasy films is with my children. This film was an exception to the rule. However, this is one fantasy film that I REALLY LIKED. And I am happy to have it in my film collection, and make no apologies for it. I recommend the film. Rent it first, however, if you have young children you might want to hold off until they are a little older. I don't believe I would have allowed my two daughters to watch this film if they were younger. Afterall, this is a Takashi Miike film we're talking about. Recommended. [Stars: 3.5]
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