Written by: Michael Den Boer on January 27th, 2010
Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1991
Director: Kazuo ‘Gaira’ Komizu
Writer: Hitoshi Matsuyama
Cast: Katsuhiro Fukuda, Toshiya Ito, Shinobu Kandori, Dynamite Kansai, Kera, Devil Masami, Kenji Otsuki, Megumi Sakita, Eagle Sawai, Shirô Shimomoto, Cutey Suzuki
DVD released: February 23rd, 2010
Approximate running time: 74 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Full Frame
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono English
Subtitles: N/A
DVD Release: Synapse Films
Region Coding: Region 1 NTSC
Retail Price: $24.95
Synopsis: Martial law is declared after a meteor crashes in Tokyo Bay. A toxic cloud forms a barrier around the city preventing anyone from getting in or out. An alien virus which reanimates that recently deceased is unleashed on the inhabitants of Tokyo.
Battle Girl: The Living Dead in Tokyo Bay was directed by Kazuo ‘Gaira’ Komizu, who other notable films include Entrails of a Virgin and Entrails of a Beautiful Woman. Kazuo ‘Gaira’ Komizu began his career working with Kôji Wakamatsu as an assistant director. He also worked as a screenwriter with some of his more notable screenwriting credits being, Go, Go Second Time Virgin, Woman in a Box 2 and Female Market: Imprisonment.
Battle Girl: The Living Dead in Tokyo Bay is practically void of any character development. The plot is retreads ground that has been covered in many other zombie and end of the world type films. And yet the film never drags and there is never a dull moment. The bizarreness of the events which unfold and the colorful cast of characters are the two most enjoyable aspects of this film. For zombie film there is a reasonable amount of carnage, even if the special effects do come off looking cheap. Also if you look for it, there is a faint hint of social commentary that is lying underneath the surface. Ultimately even though Battle Girl: The Living Dead in Tokyo Bay echoes many themes present George Romero’s Zombie films which featured social commentary. The end result is a film that is nowhere near as polished as any of George Romero’s Zombie films.
The DVD:
Synapse Films presents Battle Girl: The Living Dead in Tokyo Bay in its intended 1.33:1 aspect ratio. This transfer has been flagged for progressive playback. Colors, flesh tones and black levels fare well. This film was obviously shot on a modest budget and this transfer reflects the limitations of the source material.
This release comes with one audio option a Dolby Digital stereo mix in Japanese and removable English subtitles have been provided. The subtitles are easy to follow and error free. Everything sounds clear and balanced. The audio mix is limited in range with the bulk of the mix coming from the center channel.
Extras for this release are limited to an interview with director Kazuo ‘Gaira’ Komizu (54 minutes 1 second – 1.33:1 ‘full frame’ aspect ratio, in Japanese with English subtitles). Topics range from how he got involved with the project, experiences working on the film and he thoughts on the film, looking back after nearly twenty years. Overall Battle Girl: The Living Dead in Tokyo Bay gets a first rate DVD release from Synapse Films.