i SPY EUROSPY: Agent Z55 Mission Hong Kong

Agent Z55: Mission Hong Kong

Director: Roberto Bianchi Montero

Year 1965

Agent Z55: Mission Hong Kong, AKA Desperate Mission, is an entertaining Eurospy flick that benefits from its cocky and hot-tempered lead, and the brutal moments in which come into light during the later third of the film. With a standard premise, an unusually calm and eccentric villain, and an imposing muscle-bound enforcer, this spy movie has a great deal to be appreciative of. Lensed in the familiar Eurospy style and steep in lore of its espionage brethren, Mission Hong Kong is an enjoyable entry in the Eurospy canon and one that will put a smile across your face more then a few times, especially if you like bad guys who keep armadillos as a pets. Say what!?!?!

The film begins with the extraction of a prominent nuclear scientist named Prof. Larsen, from a Chinese prison, by the hands of a clan of judo experts and by the planning of Agent Z51. Unfortunately, before Larsen can be transported back to America, Z51 is murdered, leaving the plans for Larsen's ultimate escape to fall to ruins. Hearing the news of Z51's death, the US Secret Service enlists their top man to the case, Robert Manning, AKA Agent Z55. Landing in Hong Kong, Manning must locate the now hidden Prof. Larsen while dishing out a sweet plate of revenge for his fellow fallen agent, but things aren't as easy as they first appear to be. For one thing there is a suspicious pair of locals, Su Ling and the gargantuan To-go, who have an unusual interest in Manning's presence in Hong Kong. There's also the simple fact that Prof. Larsen could be hidden anywhere and Manning has little to nothing to go on. What's a secret agent to do?

German Cobos takes on the role of Robert Manning, the headstrong agent who knows all the tricks in the book. This is my first Cobos Eurospy and I have to say that he did a good job as the lead in this film. I'm only aware of one other spy movie that he was in, Blueprint for a Massacre, so I'll be hunting that one down soon. In Mission Hong Kong, Cobos' Robert Manning is a cocky and confident agent who almost comes off as an asshole most of the time, if it wasn't for his witty smart remarks and playful manner. Like most Eurospy heroes, Agent Z55 has a tendency to get into some action packed scenarios and Cobos does a wonderful job in delivering the fast-paced goods and keeping in step with the genre. His character even has the tendency to go a little overboard while duking it out, as will come painfully clear after Manning burns the face of one of his combatants and sends him crying to his death. What a badass! All in all, I'm impressed with my first introduction to German Cobos and I look forward to seeing more of his work in the future.

As for the rest of the crazy bunch that inhabit this motion picture, Yoko Tani takes on the role of Su Ling. At first her character is a mystery, as Manning has no idea if she is friend or foe, but eventually she comes to side with Z55 and his mission, revealing that she was just a victim of circumstance. On the other side of the coin is Milton Reid who plays the role of To-go, a muscle-bound strongman who couldn't be anymore different from Su Ling if he tried. While Su Ling is small, timid and forced to be a part of a nefarious organization, To-go is a beast of a man and willfully participates in the organizations affairs. Reid fits this villainous mold to perfection and takes every opportunity he can in being a thorn in Manning's side. He's an intimidating presence and his facial features are just icing on the already memorable cinematic cake. The leader of this rag-tag group of characters is a man by the name of Barrow, played by Gianni Rizzo. While many Bond-type villains are given a pet to impose fear into their agents, Barrow is instead given one of the most peculiar of animal sidekicks in the form of an armadillo. I shit you not! The dastardly bastard has an armadillo as a pet. Be that as it may, I have to say that unfortunately for Rizzo, this is probably the most memorable thing about his character.

With any grand Eurospy film, you have stupendous locations and visuals to back that up and with Mission Hong Kong you get that with the abundance of all the picturesque landscapes that Hong Kong has to offer. From the bustling atmosphere of the city to the maze-like wooden structures floating on the harbor, the film has a nice diversity with its locations and uses them to great effect. Though the tradition for most Eurospy flicks is to showcase a great array of international vistas, Z55 is content with just basing its espionage-filled antics in Hong Kong and for this film it works. The mission on display is a much more subtle version then we are used to in this genre and it makes sense to scale back the global aspects of the production to fit the scenario. Still, director Roberto Bianchi Montero makes adequate use of his sprawling locales, giving the production a much more broader feel then it has any right to have.

As for the action of Mission Hong Kong, they haven't forgot it, in fact there is a great deal of interesting set-pieces to be witnessed in this humble production. Manning finds himself battling it out in some rather impressive locations, which give way to a great deal of visually alluring moments that make for an impressionable battleground. For instance Agent Z55 has a shootout in a movie theater where he battles thugs behind a projection screen, he has a hair-raising close call at a construction site at night, and an even more enthralling man to man brawl with To-go in a tanker where Manning shows his more savage and resourceful side. All in all, it's safe to say that as the movie moves along, Agent Z55 becomes more and more brutal and violent, which is always a plus in my book.

Agent Z55: Mission Hong Kong is a respectable Eurospy entry that may not be the most robust of the genre, but it still maintains all of the factors that make us love these kind of flicks. From the get go, we are presented a espionage-filled world that is sparse with globetrotting aspects, but what is kept intact is the formula which has spawned a plethora of like-minded genre films that know exactly what the fans want from this type of entry. Agent Z55 beds the ladies, beats the baddies, and saves the day, just as it should be, and director Roberto Bianchi Montero does an excellent job in making it all an enjoyable affair.

When it comes to German Cobos' performance as the super spy Robert Manning, he really gives it his all and throws himself in to the role. The fights are frantic and physical, the shootouts are ruthless and succinct, and the flirtatious interactions are a plenty. Mission Hong Kong also benefits from a commendable supporting cast of characters like Yoko Tani's Su Ling, Milton Reid's To-go, and the blandly depicted, but strangely hypnotic, armadillo lover Barrow, played by Gianni Rizzo. Combine all of these various elements together and you have yourself Agent Z55: Mission Hong Kong, an interesting Eurospy effort that has all of the things that we crave; action, adventure, and babes. This is one mission that's.....

Pay attention to the road asshole!

Umm... How do I put this? There's a dead hooker in my room.

Peek a boo Manning. I see you!

Look at me when I'm talking to you, you bald FREAK!

Hello there sexy lady.

Staring contest.... GO!

Hold it right there mister.

I'll be using you tonight.

Check out the rack on that hose hound.

Manning's gas problem made for an awkward moment.

I outta pop you right in the mouth!

Come here and give me a big hug!

Once again Manning's gas ruins the day.

How about we heat this motherfucker up?

Is that weird little man still watching us?

Knock it off you two and learn to share.

REVIEW: Sayonara Jupiter

Sayonara Jupiter

Director: Koji Hashimoto & Sakyo Komatsu

Year 1984

Sayonara Jupiter, AKA Bye Bye Jupiter, is a wildly imaginative science fiction film that centers on an impending disaster which could possibly wipe out the Planet Earth and destroy humanity as we know it. Told in the obscurest of ways, the film is jam-packed with stupendous special effects and consistently outstanding production values, making it one of the most interesting and unusual sci-fi efforts to come out after Toho's hiatus from the space genre with their 1977 film, War in Space. Blessed with an international cast and a believably constructed future world, Sayonara Jupiter is a little known gem that may stumble in its editing, but in the end makes for a highly enjoyable science fiction yarn that has a lot going for it.

The film follows Dr. Eiji Honda as he prepares to set into motion the “Jupiter Solarization Project”, which aims to turn the planet into a new Sun so as to colonize nearby planets and moons. Just as the project is about to come to fruition, a hippy cult known as the “Jupiter Church”, led by a famous singer/songwriter, begin making terrorist attacks against the space station, threatening the success of the “Jupiter Solarization Project” and the advancement of mankind. To make matters worse, a Black Hole has been discovered moving through the galaxy and it is on a collision course with our solar system. Realizing the impending doom at hand, Dr. Honda proposes to blow up the Planet Jupiter just as the Black Hole crosses its path, forcing the Black Hole from its current course towards the Planet Earth and instead sending it out of our solar system. Still even with the existence of mankind in the balance, the “Jupiter Church” cult still pursues to bring down the Jupiter Project by any means necessary. Will humanity survive this cosmic crossroad of fate, or will mankind's personal problems spell our ultimate downfall?

Tomokazu Miura takes on the role of Dr. Eiji Honda, the scientific hero of this interstellar enigma. Miura does an excellent job in this wild effort, and he helps bring all of these fantastic and out of control elements together, allowing the ridiculousness of all that is going on around him seem somewhat plausible and genuine. If there is one thing to be said about Sayonara Jupiter, it's that it is a film that could easily have fallen into spoof territory. With such a large array of wackiness combined with a fantastical premise, you'd think the film would be categorized as a comedy, but thanks to the dead-serious performance of Tomokazu the movie sustains its craziness and revels in it with a straight-laced disposition. The central character of Eiji Honda is essential in keeping all of these elements in check and Miura does a wonderful job in wrangling in all of the galactic mayhem.

Paired up with Tomokazu's Dr. Eiji Honda character, is actress Diane Dangley playing the role of Maria Basehart, a “Jupiter Church” cult member and former lover of the hero scientist. Dangley does a great job as the conflicted terrorist, who's caught between her love for a man from her past and the task of thwarting the exploitation of the Planet Jupiter. Though the fundamentals of her character were questionable at best, you still feel a deal of sympathy for the situation that she finds herself in. The storied relationship that Honda and herself share is an interesting thematic glue that holds this film in place for the most part. The movie enjoys metaphorically showing us the contrast between each faction of this conflict, and both Dr. Eiji Honda and Maria Basehart are basically the spokespersons of their respective group, allowing us to approach this turbulent subject from more of an intimate angle. For that reason alone I would say that Dangley does a respectable job with the material that she is given, and though you may not see eye to eye with her character's motivations in bringing down the “Jupiter Solarization Project”, you still are able to appreciate the internal struggle that she goes through and that's always appreciated.

When it comes to off the wall situations and unpredictable narratives, Sayonara Jupiter stands proud in its obscurity as it throws a ton of information at you that simply comes off as crazy. First of all, the cult terrorist group the “Jupiter Church”, is run by a spaced out guru who sings nonsensical songs about a dolphin named Jupiter in order to inspire his followers. Say what? Not only that, but this peaceful group's main goal is to stop the transition of Jupiter, from a Planet to a Sun, by injuring and killing as many people as they can. Hell, even when they find out that the only way to save mankind from the Black Hole is to destroy Jupiter, they still don't give a shit and basically decide to continue on with the sabotage of the “Jupiter Solarization Project” simply out of spite. Needless to say their motivations are anything but logical, but there in lies the appeal of this off kilter production. In this stellar smorgasbord we get unusually blatant product placement, a ridiculously hilarious and brutal Jaws homage, a mysterious alien race, hints of an ancient civilization on Mars, the already mentioned space hippy terrorists, and a zero gravity space sex scene that is truly out of this world in execution and delivery. With all of this weirdness, how can you really go wrong?

Now let's get down to what this film really excels in, aside from its oddity factor, and that's the effects. With a combination of visually splendid planet-scapes, essentially sublime matte work and wonderfully crafted miniatures, Sayonara Jupiter is a non-stop thrill ride for those of you out there that appreciate the practical art of filmmaking. You could almost say that the movie's effects far surpass the film's other elements, coming off as more of a showcase of the collaborative filmmakers' artistic efforts over the core of the story. Every aspect of the movie's visuals are obsessively constructed in a tangible presentation that fully brings this production to life. You'll find yourself getting caught up in the moment as you witness scene upon scene of atmospheric space anomalies that just exude atmosphere and tone. The presentation is absolutely fantastic, and the unimaginable worlds that Sayonara Jupiter is able to bring to the table is a sure sign that this production is not to be taken lightly. In the end, it's the combination of all of these factors that really give the film its unusual appeal. Be it the outlandish premise, the diverse cast of characters, or the sheer visual beauty that this movie is able to convey, you really can't deny that this is a spectacle that always keeps you guessing, and for that alone it's worth a look.

Sayonara Jupiter is a strange science fiction concoction, featuring a eclectic collection of ideas that literally liter this obscure space story in a half-hazard and chaotic manner. It's a wild production that truly feels untamed thanks to all the diverse elements that inhabit its twisting narrative. The acting portrayals of Tomokazu Miura and Diane Dangely, as the star crossed lovers Dr. Eiji Honda and Maria Basehart, are a nice touch to what could have been a rather disconnected space yarn. Though the strangeness of the film does allow for an extremely detached presentation to unfold, we are still pulled in by both actors commendable approaches to their respective characters and that is quite an accomplishment.

In truly excessive flair, Sayonara Jupiter throws caution to the wind as it bombards its viewers with non-stop information, sometimes large sweeping concepts that have little to nothing to do with the overall story that it is trying to tell. Whether these were intentional red hearings or just weird tidbits of info about the world that these characters inhabit, it's still unknown by this reviewer, but it accomplishes its end goal in keeping us on our toes in expecting the unexpected. Visually this film is in a class of its own and that is really something when you consider the absolute oddness that is at the core of this production. Without a doubt, this film took me for a loop and when I made it to the end of this twisted little sci-fi tale I could truthfully say that I had seen something that I've never seen before. Give this one a try if you're up for something different, refreshing, and wholly unbelievable. Sayonara Jupiter is.....

Let me just get this product placement out of the way.

Stewardess..... Why are we upside down?

Looks like Honda's head is about to blow from the strangeness.

Top notch!

Cut your hair you dirty hippy.

Kiss me you fool!

Hold on to your space-butts!

Oh shit! Here comes another song!

Space sex is AWESOME!

Damn! Did I forget to turn off the space oven?

Get a job you lazy space hippies.

Lets face it..... my place sucks.

You want me to sing you a song? No..... No I don't.

Here comes Mr. Cool.

Smile you son of a bitch!

Who's bad?

Honda is a stone cold killer!

Stop or my Honda will shoot.

REVIEW: War in Space

War in Space

Director: Jun Fukuda

Year 1977

War in Space is an absolutely stellar Toho science fiction flick that throws caution to the wind as it depicts a future world placed in peril by morphing green skinned aliens, furry ax wielding beasts, and outrageously designed spaceships. Constructed in that stupendous Toho sense, the production boasts a wild array of outstanding miniatures, quaint effects, and a mind-blowing plot that is simply bonkers. With all of these valued qualities jam-packed into the runtime of this entertaining gem, it goes without saying that War in Space is a sci-fi fantasy meld that just screams fun and enjoyment.

The film begins with an alien attack on the planet Earth, where all across the globe countries are being bombarded by a mysterious enemy from Venus. All the world's hope lies with one Japanese scientist named Professor Takigawa, who has constructed a space craft called the Gohten, which has the ability to take down this nefarious force which has savagely waged war against the people of Earth. With a crack team of astronauts, Takigawa and his crew set off for the planet Venus to take the enemy head on, but will they bite off more than they can chew?

Ryo Ikebe takes on the role of Professor Takigawa, the headstrong leader of Project Gohten and the last hope for mankind. Ryo gives a fascinating performance which is subtle in every sense of the word. Almost contemplative to a fault, he calmly approaches each situation with a thoughtful pause before making a decision that propels the team into some perilous situations. Being no stranger to Toho productions, seeing that he had prominent and memorable roles in such science fiction films as Battle in Outer Space and Gorath, Ryo just gels into the style of the movie as he compliments all of the stylistic charm that Toho films are known for.

Accompanying Ryo Ikebe on this wild ride is Yuko Asano, Kensaku Morita and Hiroshi Miyauchi, as they take on the roles of June Takigawa, Miyoshi and Morrei. Yuko's portrayal of June Takigawa, daughter to Professor Takigawa, is whittled down to little more then a damsel in distress role, but she still does a commendable job with the material she's given. Hell, if anything else she gets to share the screen with one of the strangest of Star Wars coincidences in the form of a giant Wookie-like creature with horns and a laser ax, so her existence in this flick can't be too shabby. When it comes to Kensaku and Hiroshi, they take on the two central hero roles of the film with Kensaku playing Miyoshi the fiance of June and Hiroshi taking on the role of Morrei June's former crush. It may sound confusing, and it is, but the love triangle aspect of these criss-crossing relationships never takes center stage and is more of a backdrop to showcase how these characters are all connected to each other, so there's really no melodrama to bog down the story. Each leading man gets to show their stuff on the action front, allowing for both actors to shine while saving the day and thematically that's what the movie is all about.

In true Toho fashion, the production is filled to the brim with imaginative practical effects and the use of miniature work throughout the film is astoundingly effective and awe-inspiring. You never can go wrong with a practically constructed science fiction film from this era, or prior, and War in Space is no exception. From the epic space battles, to the interesting conceptual designs of the various spaceships, to the otherworldly atmosphere of the Planet Venus' surface, this entry is frothing with visual splendor. Not only that but the character's of this film, mainly the alien beings, are rather unique in their obscurity and uncanny resemblance to other cinematic characters within the genre. As I've mentioned already, there is a hairy creature in this movie that has a striking resemblance to Chewbacca that will surely give many fans out there a good chuckle, but of course there are other beings in this film that truly stand out as strikingly odd. One in particular is the main villain of the piece who resembles a green-faced Roman soldier, equipped with helmet, armor, and all the trimmings. He's a sight to behold and probably the best description on how wacky and fun this film can be.

This zany smorgasbord of craziness can all be attributed to the always entertaining filmmaker Jun Fukuda. With around five Godzilla films under his belt and the ridiculously entertaining spy gems Ironfinger and Ironfinger 2: Goldeneye, Fukuda has already made a name for himself in my book and with War in Space, my appreciation for him has only strengthened. There is a care-free outrageous quality to this production, where you never know what is going to happen next. It has all of the familiar trappings of a traditional Toho film, but there is always something a little off kilter or bizarre that throws you for a loop. I enjoyed the random nature of it and truly appreciated the fun factor, which by the way is through the roof in this production. All in all, War in Space feels like a Ishiro Honda Toho production, yet the outlandish way in which Fukuda portrays this unusual world gives the formula a whole new life of its own, making for a viewing experience that is wholly unforgettable and unique.

 

War in Space is an absolute blast as it blends Star Wars aesthetics with Japanese Toho science fiction in the wildest of ways. The combination is astoundingly madcap and you'll love every second that you spend in this topsy-turvy cinematic world. From its entertaining cast to its epic story, this sci-fi oddity really pulls out all of the stops to get your attention and make you take notice. When it's not dazzling you visually the film is boggling your mind with fantastic situations that are out of this world and in all intensive purposes gravity defying. This is not logically sound and thought-provoking science fiction here, but a silly entertaining romp that entertains to no end and that's just how I like it.

With its abundance of practical effects and majestically constructed miniatures, War in Space is without a doubt a throwback to the heyday of Toho studios and a testament to all that this movie-making powerhouse has brought over its long existence. It's thrilling, cheesy, outrageous, and above all entertaining and that's all I ask for in a fun science fiction adventure film. Make it a priority to hunt this one down, because it is well worth your attention and admiration. They don't make them like this anymore and that is a damn shame. War in Space is one hell of a.....

Is there something you'd like to share with the rest of the class?

Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello.... HELLO!

Nice fucking model!

Is that creepy bald dude still looking at us?

Eat laser you alien scum!

Say cheese.

Don't leave me hanging man.

See.... he digs the movie.

Damn you aliens!

If there's one thing I hate it's dirty Wookies. Shit! There's one behind me isn't there.

Everybody run! It's the Bruce Lee Space Raiders!

Use the Force Miyoshi. Use the Force!

Chewbacca! NOOOOOOOOO!

Weeeeeee!

Looks like the gang is all here.

Let's play space-chicken.

Pick up your knees! You run like a girl!

Don't touch that dial weirdo.