Gothic & Lolita Psycho – Review

Ah, I love these movies. No story, short running time, consists of fight scenes, check your brain at the door FUN! Gothic Lolita Psycho sets us down where the protagonist takes revenge against 5 villains who killed her mother. In order to reveal the truth behind the seemingly senseless murder, Yuki transforms herself into a demon of vengeance by donning gothic lolita clothing. Sure, why not? If you are still not interested in this film, it should be noted that the film stars Rina Akiyama as Yuki, who just so happened to win the Best Buttocks award in 2007, which lead to her appearing in swimsuit photo books and earning her the nickname “The Queen of the Beautiful Ass.” Nice.

Despite all the criticism that these types of film garner, I would like to say that Gothic Lolita Psycho does have its moments. The blood flows like lava bursting out of a volcano and the gore is anything but kid-friendly. This should come as no surprise since the makeup/gore effects were handled by Yoshihiro Nishimura from Tokyo Gore Police and Vampire Girl vs Frankenstein Girl fame. Aside from the splatterfest, it is comprehensively choreographed and actually breaks from the mold.  Akiyama may not be showing her ass in this film but she is certainly kicking some.

Gothic and Lolita…the fashion reflects her dark and childish mental state. That, I can grasp, but how down a young woman kill so mercilessly?  Yuki first hunts down a yakuza who enjoys chopping of heads before she is dispatched herself. Gothic Lolita Psycho is non-stop with Ohara-style gut-wrenching action stunts in Japanese blood-spattering gore tradition. Most of the recent Japanese cult splatter films and unlike Gothic & Lolita Psycho premiered in Japan prior to the international festival tour. Foreign attention to the festival as well as DVD releases, however, are probably only a matter of time. I do have a very strong opinion that I Japanese filmakers have to take a step back from all these “cult” style movies they are wallowing in these days and try to think outside the box more.

Minor complaints aside, this is another solid entry in the splattergore genre that is a nice way to wrap up 2010 for me. Wielding a parasol as a deadly weapon, and executing the guilty in the name of God, this film sets out what it is trying to do. Fans of the genre will be pleased, but that doesn’t mean this will receive high marks. After all, this is a movie about decapitations and disembowelings touching which the end result is a film not for the squeamish. Final grade is average but let me words be heard: When it comes to nonsensical crazy gore, Japanese filmmakers can’t be touched.