Due to the manner of how these two shorts were originally merged into one feature-length effort, we'll take a look at them individually in this one post:
Director: Hiroki Yamaguchi
Year: 2019
Country: Japan
Alternate Titles: Chimamire sukeban chênsô red: Kôhen - Gîko no kakusei
Genre: Action; Exploitation
Plot:
After barely surviving an assassination attempt, a woman arms her trusty chainsaw to take on the ruthless cyborgs sent by a ruthless friend to take revenge on her, and when they befriend a timid cyborg of hers she finally has the measure necessary to take out her classmate.
Review:
From the very beginning, it's quite obvious what this one is going to be about. The film simply opts for a continuous onslaught of over-the-top silly and comedic action scenes that offer up any chance possible for extreme splatter or goofy antics. Not only does she systematically slaughter everyone on the bus in graphic fashion, but the comedic aspect of the one victim sneezing violently during the attack offers some laugh-out-loud moments. Likewise, the sequence of the henchwomen who attack her at the bathhouse generates plenty of fun with the slow-motion fighting and cutaways to the men in the background also using the facility. Even when going for more of a splatter route as the school-based rescue of the timid cyborg, the film throws in some comedy including the amorous floating head or other little gags involving the use of chainsawing through odd places of the body which goes hand-in-hand with the other wacky action throughout here. From flying detachable chainsaws and people with drill-hands to martial arts involving the unique weapons here, this segment features a lot of over-the-top splatter fun.
There are a few flaws with this one. The main problem is a completely ludicrous and ridiculous reasoning for her to go about getting revenge that even in these types of bizarre action efforts makes no sense. The idea of doing all these experiments and mutilations on her classmates in order to get revenge on the girl because she disrespected the band shirt of her favorite group one day at school is absolutely ridiculous and laughable. That we're expected to have known this based on an encounter not known to us until a flashback at the very end of their fight is another rather wacky facet of this entry, leaving us unaware of what's going on for most of the segments' running time. As well, there's also the obviously low-budget look for most of the graphic effects throughout, featuring the ridiculous notion of CGI gore for most of the bloodshed spilled for each and every one of the wounds inflicted on victims. It flies around in such an obvious notion that it really highlights the cheesy, low-budget tone of the segment, especially when combined with the hilariously awful work done to try to hide the severed limbs by cutting to close-ups on the actual actor and making it believe that's the body part flying independently through the air. While it might be part of the charm for some, these are what hold this one back overall.
Director: Hiroki Yamaguchi
Year: 2019
Country: Japan
Alternate Titles: Chimamire sukeban chênsô red: Zenpen - Nero no fukushû
Genre: Action; Exploitation
Plot:
Taken to a reform school in the jungle, the survivors meet up with an old friend who helps them escape and continue their search for a missing friend, only to run into complications when an old friend returns that proves more dangerous than the warden holding them captive.
Review:
There was quite a lot to like in this one. This again gets right into the wild action with the opening martial arts battle featuring grossly exaggerated punishment on the victims, with arm-drags ripping off limbs, punches decapitating people and having other limbs and body parts pulled off due to the action here. The later scene of the idol singer turning into a mutated flower and sapping her fans for the energy needed to fight is another wild and crazy idea here, featuring some inventive special effects to illustrate the tendrils burrowing through the floor and draining the energy from their bodies alongside the fun action and gore. With the last half of the film taking the action to a prison-like reform school, this section has quite a lot to like with the utterly hilarious confrontation with the warden who turns into a fairy to fight them and gets dispatched in a hilarious manner. With a truly vicious and brutally over-the-top finale that brings everything together with gory fist-fights and graphic chainsaw carnage with one of the greatest gags possible with the weapon to give this segment a lot to like.
There are a few issues with this one. The main problem is the scattered storyline that doesn't really make any sense at all. There are way too many storylines in this segment, from the introduction of the new warden of the facility at the end of part 2 with no other clues to the character or where they've been the entire time. Then comes the idea of them taking over the school and holding everyone hostage at the prison which includes the girls among the captives leading into their revolt by running into the various inmates already running free such as the idol singer and her followers. With the constant search for their other friend and then running into the demented scientist from the other segment, this just has way too much going on that really doesn't need to be there. The film really could've been streamlined a touch with some of these segments getting dropped or strengthened with some more information to give this an easier time. As well, the low-budget nature of the effects is pretty much the same as the first segment with CGI blood and cheesy effects that really stand-out for their nature. Otherwise, there's not much else to dislike.
Overview: ***1/2/5
A fairly competent and enjoyable double-bill of solid J-sploitation, this feature of cheesy action-packed schoolgirls and weaponry-filled efforts are fun and charming with plenty to like about them. Give them a chance if you're a true fan of the original manga, this style of gory cheese-filled action or curious about these segments, while those turned off by the style or genre should heed caution overall.
This review was originally published on Asian Movie Pulse and is gratefully reprinted with their cooperation.
Bloody Chainsaw Girl Returns: Giko Awakens-
Director: Hiroki Yamaguchi
Year: 2019
Country: Japan
Alternate Titles: Chimamire sukeban chênsô red: Kôhen - Gîko no kakusei
Genre: Action; Exploitation
Plot:
After barely surviving an assassination attempt, a woman arms her trusty chainsaw to take on the ruthless cyborgs sent by a ruthless friend to take revenge on her, and when they befriend a timid cyborg of hers she finally has the measure necessary to take out her classmate.
Review:
From the very beginning, it's quite obvious what this one is going to be about. The film simply opts for a continuous onslaught of over-the-top silly and comedic action scenes that offer up any chance possible for extreme splatter or goofy antics. Not only does she systematically slaughter everyone on the bus in graphic fashion, but the comedic aspect of the one victim sneezing violently during the attack offers some laugh-out-loud moments. Likewise, the sequence of the henchwomen who attack her at the bathhouse generates plenty of fun with the slow-motion fighting and cutaways to the men in the background also using the facility. Even when going for more of a splatter route as the school-based rescue of the timid cyborg, the film throws in some comedy including the amorous floating head or other little gags involving the use of chainsawing through odd places of the body which goes hand-in-hand with the other wacky action throughout here. From flying detachable chainsaws and people with drill-hands to martial arts involving the unique weapons here, this segment features a lot of over-the-top splatter fun.
There are a few flaws with this one. The main problem is a completely ludicrous and ridiculous reasoning for her to go about getting revenge that even in these types of bizarre action efforts makes no sense. The idea of doing all these experiments and mutilations on her classmates in order to get revenge on the girl because she disrespected the band shirt of her favorite group one day at school is absolutely ridiculous and laughable. That we're expected to have known this based on an encounter not known to us until a flashback at the very end of their fight is another rather wacky facet of this entry, leaving us unaware of what's going on for most of the segments' running time. As well, there's also the obviously low-budget look for most of the graphic effects throughout, featuring the ridiculous notion of CGI gore for most of the bloodshed spilled for each and every one of the wounds inflicted on victims. It flies around in such an obvious notion that it really highlights the cheesy, low-budget tone of the segment, especially when combined with the hilariously awful work done to try to hide the severed limbs by cutting to close-ups on the actual actor and making it believe that's the body part flying independently through the air. While it might be part of the charm for some, these are what hold this one back overall.
Bloody Chainsaw Girl Returns: Revenge of Nero-
Director: Hiroki Yamaguchi
Year: 2019
Country: Japan
Alternate Titles: Chimamire sukeban chênsô red: Zenpen - Nero no fukushû
Genre: Action; Exploitation
Plot:
Taken to a reform school in the jungle, the survivors meet up with an old friend who helps them escape and continue their search for a missing friend, only to run into complications when an old friend returns that proves more dangerous than the warden holding them captive.
Review:
There was quite a lot to like in this one. This again gets right into the wild action with the opening martial arts battle featuring grossly exaggerated punishment on the victims, with arm-drags ripping off limbs, punches decapitating people and having other limbs and body parts pulled off due to the action here. The later scene of the idol singer turning into a mutated flower and sapping her fans for the energy needed to fight is another wild and crazy idea here, featuring some inventive special effects to illustrate the tendrils burrowing through the floor and draining the energy from their bodies alongside the fun action and gore. With the last half of the film taking the action to a prison-like reform school, this section has quite a lot to like with the utterly hilarious confrontation with the warden who turns into a fairy to fight them and gets dispatched in a hilarious manner. With a truly vicious and brutally over-the-top finale that brings everything together with gory fist-fights and graphic chainsaw carnage with one of the greatest gags possible with the weapon to give this segment a lot to like.
There are a few issues with this one. The main problem is the scattered storyline that doesn't really make any sense at all. There are way too many storylines in this segment, from the introduction of the new warden of the facility at the end of part 2 with no other clues to the character or where they've been the entire time. Then comes the idea of them taking over the school and holding everyone hostage at the prison which includes the girls among the captives leading into their revolt by running into the various inmates already running free such as the idol singer and her followers. With the constant search for their other friend and then running into the demented scientist from the other segment, this just has way too much going on that really doesn't need to be there. The film really could've been streamlined a touch with some of these segments getting dropped or strengthened with some more information to give this an easier time. As well, the low-budget nature of the effects is pretty much the same as the first segment with CGI blood and cheesy effects that really stand-out for their nature. Otherwise, there's not much else to dislike.
Overview: ***1/2/5
A fairly competent and enjoyable double-bill of solid J-sploitation, this feature of cheesy action-packed schoolgirls and weaponry-filled efforts are fun and charming with plenty to like about them. Give them a chance if you're a true fan of the original manga, this style of gory cheese-filled action or curious about these segments, while those turned off by the style or genre should heed caution overall.
This review was originally published on Asian Movie Pulse and is gratefully reprinted with their cooperation.
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