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Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.
review by Zach B.
Unrated
Starring Rick Gianasi, Susan Byun, Bill Weeden, Thomas
Crnkovich, Noble Lee Lester, Brick Bronsky, Fumio Furuya
Written by Lloyd Kaufman, Andrew Osborne and Jeffery
W. Sass
Directed by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz
Retail Price: 24.99
Features: Theatrical Trailers, Commentary by co-director
Lloyd Kaufman, Photo Stills, Tromaville Cafe TV Show, Sgt.
Kabukiman NYPD Animated TV Pilot, Sgt. Kabukiman Rap, Troma
Radiaton March, Public Service Announcment, Clips with
commentary by star Rick Gianasi
Specs: 1.33:1, Mono, Chapter Search
Ah, Troma. Cheap budgets, lots of nudity and a ton of
gross out moments. That's how we've come to know and love
Troma. "Toxic Avenger", "Tromeo and Juliet", the classics
roll on and on. "Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D." is another pretty
well known Troma film. Does it fit the mold Troma has
created? Indeed it does.
I really enjoy "Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.", each and every
time I see it. The effects are cheap, the story is zany, the
violence is gruesome the nudity is well, uh nude and the
costumes and characters are just plain wacky. You can't take
a movie like this seriously. You either love it or hate it.
I love this movie, and everything it brings with. It's some
of the most campy fun you can ever have.
A detective, Harry Griswold is investigating a string of
murders that deal with Kabuki actors. Yet, magically, he is
given a kiss by one of the actors before his death, and he
starts developing weird superpowers. His face changes, he
has a desire for raw fish... Harry's life becomes, well
Kabuki, and soon becomes... SGT. Kabukiman, N.Y.P.D.!
However, evil forces are rising, with the arrival of a
businessman and an ancient evil prophecy. Only Kabukiman,
with the help of Lotus, a beautiful girl, can stop and save
the world from the prophecy.
Yes, this movie sounds really silly, and that's what
makes it. It's Troma, that's the idea, it's silly. Troma
fans should be pleased that this is the unrated Director's
Cut, meaning you see some pretty sick stuff. What I also
like this film radiates an "late 80s/early 90s" feel.
The transfer could have been better. It's in 1.33:1, and
colors are unsaturated, there are some artifacts, grain and
scratches, plus it looks really faded. Detail is pretty
nice, but most of what you see could have been a lot better.
The mono mix is decent, nothing special. Dialogue is
clear and so is music, and sound effects pack a much needed
punch. Still, nothing overpowers anything. As said, simply a
decent mix. No more, no less.
Now this disc is packed with some great stuff. First I'll
start off with the basic stuff. There are four trailers to
view. One for Kabukiman, Toxic Avenger, Class of Nuke Em
High and the other for Tromeo and Juliet (No "Surf Nazis
Must Die!"? Boo!). If anyone knows Troma trailers, these are
really, really wacky. They are long, and do tend to give
away most of the movie, but are just so zany. Next up, are a
bunch of stills from the movie, which are nice to look at
(and some are disgusting). Now for some creative stuff: Star
Rick Gianasi (Harry Griswold) gives a semi-audio commentary.
You can choose one of a few scenes, and he'll give a
commentary on it. This stuff is pretty interesting. Next up,
is a very enjoyable music video called the "Sgt. Kabukiman
N.Y.P.D." rap. The quality is videotape like, but it's still
fun. Also, "Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D." almost became a
cartoon, just like the Toxic Avenger. It didn't work out,
but there is a "cartoon pilot" on the disc of it. It's fun
to watch, and also videotape quality. The cartoon is unlike
the movie, and geared more toward children, but still a nice
addition and fun. There is this "Radiation March" a Troma
ballet which is good for a viewing, plus a pretty sick and
no-non sense public service announcement. In addition to
this, there is an episode of the "Tromaville Cafe" TV show,
plus a very interesting commentary by co-director Lloyd
Kaufman. Kaufman is sometimes screen specific, but sometimes
not, but all his stories are very interesting deal with the
production (he even points out some secret stuff, and shows
you where a cheap effect is). He also talks about some other
stuff, plus a little about the Kabukiman cartoon you can
view.
This movie is certainly not for everyone. If you're a
Troma fan or loves wacky movies, this is for you. If you
don't dig gross out scenes or silly plots, then I say this
is not for you. While the video and audio are average, the
extras make up for everything else. Troma fans, this is one
for your collection.
 (4/5, NOT included in
final score)
 (2.5/5)
 (3/5)
(4/5)
(3/5,
NOT an average)
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