The Machine Girl (2008) Movie Review
Written By: FR
Edited By: Grave Reviews Staff
Film Information
Director: Noboru Iguchi
Producers: John Sirabella, Yoshinori Chiba, et. al.
Writers: Noboru Iguchi
Date Released: May 23, 2008
Cast:
Minase Yashiro as Ami Hyuga
Asami Asami as Miki
Nobuhiro Nishihara as Sho Kimura
Kentarô Shimazu as Ryûji Kimura / Kimura gang boss
Ryôsuke Kawamura as Yu Hyuga
Yûya Ishikawa as Suguru Sugihara
Noriko Kijima as Yoshie
Rating = 2 /5 Graves
***May contain some spoilers***
Synopsis
Ami and her brother raised themselves without their parents after their father committed suicide as a result of being convicted of murder. At some point, Ami’s brother gets involved with one of the kids in the school who is actually the only heir to the Yakuza gang and ends up owing the gang money. When he is unable to pay back the money, he is tormented and eventually killed by the gang members. As a result, Ami seeks revenge on the gang members and the family for killing her brother but is captured and tortured in the process. While being tortured, her left arm is cut off but she manages to escape the grasps of the family. While escaping, she ends up in a motor shop owned by a couple. They help her heal and even make a machine gun that fits her left arm. From here on, Ami continues her quest for revenge giving life to the violence and gore that surrounds the film.
Gore Factor
Director, Noboru Iguchi has always incorporated a substantial amount of blood and gore into his films. He would later direct Tomie Unlimited which also has quite a bit of gore. As expected with movies whose main preoccupation is revenge, there is a lot of violence and gore. The death count grows by the minute. The blood flows like a faucet especially when there are scenes which involve a limb or any extremities being cut off. Some of the scenes are somewhat exaggerated but that is to be expected with fantasy gore films. One scene that may make you cringe is when one girl’s whole left hand is being fried in hot oil like a tempura dish. Of course, the other scene which is disturbing is the scene when Ami’s arm is cut off and being sewn together. It is very graphic.
The Grave Review
The Machine Girl (2008) is an action-packed movie with a lot of blood and violence throughout the film. The film has a very basic revenge plot whereby some people are killed or tortured in the beginning and in the end, the protagonist (Ami) is able to fulfill her plot for revenge leaving the good guys to win. To enjoy a film like this, you have to be a fan of the over-exaggerated gore and special effects that inhabits the film. These effects ultimately add to the overall impact of the violence of the film.
Unlike other movies with a similar theme, this one actually has a story. Of course, the revenge part is a natural recipe for justifying violent actions but it also touched on the subject of bullying. The movie made sure that Ami (played by Minase Yashiro) received the sympathy of the audience in her quest to to justify her revenge. Although the beginning somewhat triggers anger, the ending gives the audience a feeling of satisfaction when Ami is able to complete her revenge despite of all the deaths that have occurred. Unfortunately, it is difficult to say that there was any originality in the film.
In respect to the cinematography, the film quality and cinematic angles are also well done and commendable. However, the fight scenes can sometimes get in the way of appreciating some of the other cinematic aspects in the film. Nevertheless, the film was executed very well and incorporated smooth transitions between scenes.
Overall, the movie subtly advocates against bullying. It is entertaining to watch the bullies being beaten up by a girl. As they say, justice is served. But, unfortunately, there is nothing that really stands out in this film or makes the film unique in any way.
For the foregoing reasons, Grave Reviews gives The Machine Girl (2008) two and one-half graves out of five graves.
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