Bloody Muscle Bodybuilder In Hell. Just let that title bounce around your brain for a moment or two. It’s a doozy, right? I mean, you know straight from the title that you are in for a hell of a ride. Bloody Muscle Bodybuilder In Hell. It just sounds like a messed up, bizarro film. But does it live up to the title? Well, read on to find out…
Synopsis:
After a surprise phone call interrupts his daily workout, beefy body builder Shinji agrees to meet his photojournalist ex-girlfriend to help with her research on haunted houses. Accompanied by a professional psychic, they visit an abandoned house once owned by Shinji’s father. But inside the house a dark secret lingers and they find themselves trapped and tormented by a relentless ghost with a 30 year grudge…
(Taken from IMDB.com)
So, that’s the basic premise. The film takes a familiar formula (in this case the Evil Dead) and makes a few subtle changes. In this case, it’s a shift from a remote cabin in the woods to a derelict house in a quiet suburb. But the premise of evil spirts, possession, and bodily dismemberment are all there, front and centre. Hell, this film si alternatively known to fans as “The Japanese Evil Dead”. It really does ape the plot that closely.
Of course, the premise is perfect for setting up a low budget, single location film, and it is easy to see why Shinchi Fukazawa chose to imitate it.
Analysis:
Bloody Muscle Bodybuilder In Hell was shot on 8mm film, and ultimately took almost 7 years to shoot. Not exactly a smooth ride for the filmmakers, but as is often the case in the micro budget world, the makers persevered. After filming was complete it took another 7 years to get all the films post production completed, then a further 2 to get the film released.
Once released into he world, it quickly became a clout hit. And you can see why. It’s quirky, bizarre, gory, and wonderfully deranged. Sure, the effects aren’t exactly Hollywood quality but they work well enough within the context of the films budget and production history. You get some reasonably well done practical effects, plenty of blood, and even some stop-motion animation (another nod to Sam Raimis mega cult hit).
Yes, the film has it’s flaws. None of the small cast re particularly good actors, although none of them reach the truly terrible levels seen in many shot on video “backyard” films that emanate from the US. And the script is about as basic as can be. But it just works as a cracking little film. And at just 62 minutes long, it doesn’t outstay it’s welcome at all.
The Disc:
Visual Vengeance have done this tiny little film proud with this Blu Ray offering. Bloody Muscle Bodybuilder In Hell has been remastered in the highest possible quality. Now, that doesn’t mean it looks brilliant. it was filmed on 8mm after all, so there is plenty of grain to be found. But the 1.33:1 ratio image is always watchable. Indeed, a few shots do look much better than their source material would indicate. Despite coming on a Blu Ray, the image is an SD one, due to the source masters available. Sound is perfunctory and does the job it needs to do.
Extras wise, the film is very well represented:
- Archival 1995 SD master from original tapes.
- New Interview with Director Shinichi Fukazawa.
- Commentary track featuring directors Adam Green (Hatchet, Frozen) and Joe Lynch (Shudder’s Creepshow, Mayhem).
- Commentary track with Japanese film historian James Harper.
- Special Effects Video.
- Original Archival Trailers from Japanese release.
- Behind The Scenes Image Gallery.
- Archival Image Gallery.
- Outtakes.
- Folded mini-poster.
- Four Page Liner notes by Matt Desiderio of Horror Boobs.
- ‘Stick your own’ video store sticker sheet.
- Vintage style Laminated Video Store Rental Card.
- Visual Vengeance Trailers.
Now, the packaging is superb. You get a nice slipcase, and some wonderful bonus items as listed above. The stickers & rental card really will give you a nostalgia buzz if you remember the days of VHS rental shops. Visual Vengeance deserve all the plaudits for this package.
Bloody Muscle Bodybuilder In Hell: The Verdict:
If you love low budget, high energy horror romps, then this is defiantly for you. The film is great fun (and utterly insane), and the extras really do add value to this set.
Overall, this is a 5/5 release. Stunning.
Buy the film: Amazon.co.uk
Bloody Muscle Bodybuilder In Hell Gallery:
(Click to enlarge)
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