Written by: Michael Den Boer on October 25th, 2008
Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 2006
Director: Minoru Kawasaki
Writers: Minoru Kawasaki, Takao Nakano
Cast: Mai Hashimoto, Rakkyo Ide, Ai Iijima, Ryôji Kanô, Yusuke Kirishima, Fuyuki Moto, Yakan Nabe, Dr. Yoshiro Nakamats, Hideo Nakano, Ijirî Okada, Tamao Satô, Tora Uganda
DVD released: November 18th, 2008
Approximate running time: 79 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo Japanese
Subtitles: English
DVD Release: Synapse Films
Region Coding: Region 1 NTSC
Retail Price: $24.95
Synopsis: Terrorists steal uranium to build a bomb that they threaten to use to destroy Tokyo if their ransom demands are not meet. A recently transferred cop named Genda who wears a toupee to cover up his receding hairline is assigned to the case. Genda with the help of a group of misfit cops with unusual abilities try to stop the terrorists before they follow through on their threats.
The Rug Cop was co-written and directed by Minoru Kawasaki who’s other notable films include The Calamari Wrestler, Executive Koala, The World Sinks except Japan and Guilala’s Counterattack: Lake Toya Summit Crisis.
The plot for The Rug Cop is a hilarious send up of Japanese cop drama’s. The film is also filled with outlandish characters like who use their abnormalities as weapons. There is the film’s lead Detective Gedda who uses is toupee as a weapon, a gluttonous Detective named Fatty, an undersized Detective with super strength named Shorty, an attractive ladies man Detective named Handsome and a well endowed Detective named Big Dick. The villains in the film are equally bizarre.
The film’s opening moments feature a bank robbing ventriloquist dummy with a quick trigger finger. From this opening scene until the film’s jaw dropping finale this film doesn’t disappoint. Ultimately The Rug Cop is fast paced satire. That is filled with witty dialog which is accentuated by the film’s ingenious and at times perverse comedy set pieces.
The DVD:
Synapse Films presents The Rug Cop in an anamorphic widescreen that preserves the film’s original aspect ratio. This progressive flagged transfer is in excellent shape with vivid colors, healthy looking flesh tones and razor sharp detail throughout.
This release comes with one audio option a Dolby Digital stereo mix in Japanese. The audio is clean, clear and at times dynamic. Removable English subtitles that are easy to read and follow have been included.
Extras for the film include a trailer for the film (1:29), introductions from the cast and director Minoru Kawasaki (14:35). The cast discusses the various characters they play and Minoru Kawasaki talks about the film. Other extras include footage from a press conference for the film (8:31). The cast and Minoru Kawasaki cover similar topics already covered in the introductions interviews. The main extra for this release a “Making of” documentary (30:41), that includes rehearsal and behind the scenes footage as well as some brief comments from the cast and Minoru Kawasaki. All of the extras are presented in Japanese and English subtitles have been included. Overall The Rug Cop gets a strong DVD release from Synapse Film’s.