I’ve been obsessed with everything Go Nagai lately, so when I saw that Netflix had the live action Devilman movie, I immediately bumped it to the top of my queue.
It’s been at least ten years since I last saw the Devilman OAV on VHS. I’m old and my memory tends to get fuzzy, so I won’t be making any direct comparisons. I do remember a great deal of gore and a lacking sense of fulfillment – most likely because the third part has yet to have an official North American release.
Devilman goes to church.
Summary
The film centers on the friendship of Akira and Ryo, played by two anorexic pretty boys with little to no acting ability. I was afraid Devilman had been turned into a yaoi since I last saw him.
Ryo’s father is a scientist at an important site that’s responsible for finding alternate sources of energy, but what they really uncover are demons that look like translucent tadpoles. These tadpoles burrow into a human host, transforming them into full-fledged demons. Naturally, this happens to Akira, turning him into Devilman.
The Devilman design in this feature is excellent. Sure, it’s blatantly CGI, but it doesn’t look so bad that it’s any more distracting than the bad casting. It’s a shame Akira doesn’t stay in this form very long. There is an intermediate stage of Devilman, where the actor is covered in latex and makeup (and is magically dressed in black leather pants!) constantly posing with his arm in front of his face like some horrible Bela Lugosi imitator.
When the Japanese government discovers the existence of demons, they create a special police force to detain and execute anyone who is suspected of being a demon. Neighbor turns on neighbor and accusations fly. It’s like McCarthyism all over again.
All of this leads to the final confrontation between Devilman and Satan. This CGI slugfest is the closest thing to real anime in the entire film. The force of their monstrous blows crumble walls and leave craters, cutting a swath of devastation across the city.
Score: 2 out of 5
Devilman doesn't seem to like my opinion.
I want to like this movie, and I managed to enjoy bits and pieces, but the two actors cast as the main characters ruin what could otherwise be a halfway decent movie. By trying so hard to look ultra-serious, they come off looking absolutely ridiculous. Everyone else in the cast doesn’t seem to have any problems with their demonic personas or otherwise.
The make up effects could’ve been better, and the CGI elements could’ve looked more natural, but that could all be determined by budget. In the end we’re left with a lackluster movie that I hope hasn’t set back any attempts at getting the OAVs back in print.
