This movie is quite an entertaining little romp if you watch it with an open mind. It's full of interesting gadgets, lots of weapons, explosions, monsters, stop-motion, talking computers, Japanese babes, etc. The plot concerns an intergalatic bounty hunter, played by the beautiful Yuko Moriyama, who tracks down an unstoppable alien killing machine named Zeiram. The plot also throws in two male comedy foils, although Yuko could easily carry the film on her own. There's lot of action, some of it hand to hand (it's always a treat to see women fighting) and some of it with hi-tech guns and such. While this is isn't a perfect movie, it's a good way to spend an evening...cool-looking monsters, kickboxing babes, explosions...what more can one ask for.
17 Reviews
Love the practical FX and Yuko Moriyama.
alienlegend15 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The Zeiram monster won me over big time with an excellent black-and-white opening sequence plus cool transformations later and Yuko Moriyama is just gorgeous. Who couldn't stare at her for an hour and a half? The electrician guys are ok. Maybe a tad too goofy sometimes but kind of funny. I wish we got some nudity or more revealing outfits but what can I say... I'm a perv. The film is still excellent regardless. I was never bored and I liked the minion creatures Zeriam spawned as well.
If you like the practical FX monster in this, check out Guzoo, Cyclops, Conton, Gakidama, or the new Japanese monster movie Bakemono. They all have great practical FX and transformations.
If you like the practical FX monster in this, check out Guzoo, Cyclops, Conton, Gakidama, or the new Japanese monster movie Bakemono. They all have great practical FX and transformations.
Unimpressive in comparison to the anime series but still a fun, schlocky B movie all the same.
Zombified_6603 June 2006
Warning: Spoilers
The plot line of Zeram is also the basis for an excellent anime OAV series. Although the film is a lot of fun, it has almost no plot or story exposition, often leaving the viewer totally in the dark as to any wider context other than the main characters escaping the monstrous Zeram and eventually defeating him. The anime series has a deeper plot and much more of an ongoing storyline, but as a cheesy alien blast-a-thon Zeram delivers the goods.
The two bumbling male lead characters are sympathetic, if at times annoying protagonists. Personally I've never had the opportunity to see this in it's own language so I can't really tell if anyone's a good actor or not. The dub is good, largely trimmed of any excessive Americanised dialogue or pointless swearing, marking it out as a rarity in Manga Video's dubs, as something of half decent quality. Certainly Zeram has faired better then Gunhed on this front. The voice actors are decent, especially the voice-over for leading lady Iria.
Physically, acting is good, both solid and convincing despite the amount of plastic and rubber paraphernalia going on, and the Iria actress and the dudes in the alien suits obviously know what they're doing fighting wise, giving the admittedly stodgily directed action scenes a much needed shot in the arm with some impactful fighting moves. The effects are impressive for a low-budget too, especially the monster suits and transformation sequences.
Still, Zeram's lack of depth is self-evident from minute one. I admire the decision to focus on kicking things and blowing stuff up, but I wish there was some story to sink my teeth into. After the last rubber alien's been blown up and Iria's kicked in her last head, Zeram is instantly forgettable, and that's it's biggest downfall, it doesn't really grab you at any point. It's a shame, because as the anime series shows, bigger things could have been done. Check this out if you want a blast of dumb action, but definitely check out the anime first. You'll probably like this more if you do.
The two bumbling male lead characters are sympathetic, if at times annoying protagonists. Personally I've never had the opportunity to see this in it's own language so I can't really tell if anyone's a good actor or not. The dub is good, largely trimmed of any excessive Americanised dialogue or pointless swearing, marking it out as a rarity in Manga Video's dubs, as something of half decent quality. Certainly Zeram has faired better then Gunhed on this front. The voice actors are decent, especially the voice-over for leading lady Iria.
Physically, acting is good, both solid and convincing despite the amount of plastic and rubber paraphernalia going on, and the Iria actress and the dudes in the alien suits obviously know what they're doing fighting wise, giving the admittedly stodgily directed action scenes a much needed shot in the arm with some impactful fighting moves. The effects are impressive for a low-budget too, especially the monster suits and transformation sequences.
Still, Zeram's lack of depth is self-evident from minute one. I admire the decision to focus on kicking things and blowing stuff up, but I wish there was some story to sink my teeth into. After the last rubber alien's been blown up and Iria's kicked in her last head, Zeram is instantly forgettable, and that's it's biggest downfall, it doesn't really grab you at any point. It's a shame, because as the anime series shows, bigger things could have been done. Check this out if you want a blast of dumb action, but definitely check out the anime first. You'll probably like this more if you do.
Another great sci-fi premise with outstanding visuals...but that is barely enough to salvage this anemic picture.
ChoiBaby5 June 1999
In the stylized tradition of 1950s Japanese monster movies and the current, popular trendy pastiche of modern Anime comes a fantastic futuristic adventure. Zeram is basically an enormous giant renegade space alien who has done quite a lot of damage aboard on other planets.
Now, Zeram has been lured to Planet Earth, with so many victims at its disposal. The only souls who can abolish this demonic presence are a female space bounty hunter, Ilya (Yuko Moriyama), from Planet Mays, and her highly intelligent albeit obstinate computer, Bob. The two have planned a trap for Zeram, and the showdown will take place in a take-no-prisoners setting inside "The Zone," a virtual reality type environment that is uninhabited, and totally unreal...
The odds are in favor of Zeram, and to make matters a lot more unbearable, two goofballs from an electric company (Yukihiro Hotaru and Kunihiko Ida), have managed to slip by... One of these employees is a Leslie Cheung lookalike. Anyway, Ilya feels very uncomfortable at this moment as the two bumbling clowns serve as the most inconvenient supplements right now...
The battlefield is set. Ilya is armed with a cool warp machine that can travel both dimensions, from the Zone to the Real World. She has a powerful space bazooka, body armor, an electric shield for protection, and plenty of agile moves to knock Zeram off into oblivion! Zeram however has: Mutant dwarves, a bulletproof armor, lasers, servants, and a miniature face within its head that serves as his primary weapon for mass destruction. He eats organic matter, and creates his own army of deformed freaks! Zeram is a grotesque creature, resembling that of a disfigured statue. Every time Zeram is apparently destroyed...he keeps regenerating, looking more disgusting every time... This creature can morph from a slow-moving juggernaut...to a slick moving spider... Zeram and Ilya are at the final match tonight...with the fate of the world hanging in the balance...
ZERAM (The film's original Japanese title is ZEIRAMU.) is an OK flick. Some decorative special effects, machinery, and lots of explosions aggrandize the film. The film is orchestrated with dazzling FX and imagery. The stop motion effects are remarkable as well. Still, despite the flamboyant technology and some rather impressive effects of its kind, the film is unfortunately waived thanks to a lack of invention and a excruciatingly plodding pace. The comedy in this film is extremely lame as well. The acute action and good martial arts skills in this movie are a plus. The gory introduction with people being literally blown away also serves as among the best highlights in this average sci-fi journey.
Even though the flashy visuals are accompanied throughout most of this movie, the film is still, amazingly lifeless and boring. ZERAM takes too long to begin picking up the pace, and although the film runs for only 90 minutes long, the movie drags so consistently that it feels like the feature is going on forever. A fastidious misfire, due to its tepid direction which is short on vigor. Also, by the end, we are very much unclear about the origin of Zeram...and we no longer give either...
This movie's uneven pace is its biggest liability. If that was not there, this movie would have been very much enjoyable and entertaining, assisted with some raw comedy. Still, there's an acceptable premise, but the movie moves way too slowly! Lighting effects, tangible technological materials, and a good musical score orchestrated just BARELY save ZERAM from sinking under its own weight...
RATING: ** out of ****.
Now, Zeram has been lured to Planet Earth, with so many victims at its disposal. The only souls who can abolish this demonic presence are a female space bounty hunter, Ilya (Yuko Moriyama), from Planet Mays, and her highly intelligent albeit obstinate computer, Bob. The two have planned a trap for Zeram, and the showdown will take place in a take-no-prisoners setting inside "The Zone," a virtual reality type environment that is uninhabited, and totally unreal...
The odds are in favor of Zeram, and to make matters a lot more unbearable, two goofballs from an electric company (Yukihiro Hotaru and Kunihiko Ida), have managed to slip by... One of these employees is a Leslie Cheung lookalike. Anyway, Ilya feels very uncomfortable at this moment as the two bumbling clowns serve as the most inconvenient supplements right now...
The battlefield is set. Ilya is armed with a cool warp machine that can travel both dimensions, from the Zone to the Real World. She has a powerful space bazooka, body armor, an electric shield for protection, and plenty of agile moves to knock Zeram off into oblivion! Zeram however has: Mutant dwarves, a bulletproof armor, lasers, servants, and a miniature face within its head that serves as his primary weapon for mass destruction. He eats organic matter, and creates his own army of deformed freaks! Zeram is a grotesque creature, resembling that of a disfigured statue. Every time Zeram is apparently destroyed...he keeps regenerating, looking more disgusting every time... This creature can morph from a slow-moving juggernaut...to a slick moving spider... Zeram and Ilya are at the final match tonight...with the fate of the world hanging in the balance...
ZERAM (The film's original Japanese title is ZEIRAMU.) is an OK flick. Some decorative special effects, machinery, and lots of explosions aggrandize the film. The film is orchestrated with dazzling FX and imagery. The stop motion effects are remarkable as well. Still, despite the flamboyant technology and some rather impressive effects of its kind, the film is unfortunately waived thanks to a lack of invention and a excruciatingly plodding pace. The comedy in this film is extremely lame as well. The acute action and good martial arts skills in this movie are a plus. The gory introduction with people being literally blown away also serves as among the best highlights in this average sci-fi journey.
Even though the flashy visuals are accompanied throughout most of this movie, the film is still, amazingly lifeless and boring. ZERAM takes too long to begin picking up the pace, and although the film runs for only 90 minutes long, the movie drags so consistently that it feels like the feature is going on forever. A fastidious misfire, due to its tepid direction which is short on vigor. Also, by the end, we are very much unclear about the origin of Zeram...and we no longer give either...
This movie's uneven pace is its biggest liability. If that was not there, this movie would have been very much enjoyable and entertaining, assisted with some raw comedy. Still, there's an acceptable premise, but the movie moves way too slowly! Lighting effects, tangible technological materials, and a good musical score orchestrated just BARELY save ZERAM from sinking under its own weight...
RATING: ** out of ****.
You'll Believe....
wayno-612 July 2009
Warning: Spoilers
"Zeram" Spoilers Ahead! An interesting Japanese Film dubbed into English.
Let's see. To sum it up. A Girl with the wrong colour lipstick, talks to a computer named "Bob," while hunting down an alien monster.
Yeah I know. this prolly is the basic plot to about a thousand "B" movies.
Two electrician buffoon like characters, dressed in colours worse then any disco nightmare you can imagine, are also like hand to add to the humour of this cinematic "wonder." No not as good as the "Godzilla" movies, but you'll still be believe: "It's a man in a rubber suit!"
Let's see. To sum it up. A Girl with the wrong colour lipstick, talks to a computer named "Bob," while hunting down an alien monster.
Yeah I know. this prolly is the basic plot to about a thousand "B" movies.
Two electrician buffoon like characters, dressed in colours worse then any disco nightmare you can imagine, are also like hand to add to the humour of this cinematic "wonder." No not as good as the "Godzilla" movies, but you'll still be believe: "It's a man in a rubber suit!"
Surprisingly entertaining low-budget flick
Verbal-177 August 2000
This one definitely fits in the category of guilty pleasures.
Basically, it's about a beautiful female bounty hunter from another planet named Ilya who comes to Earth to stop an evil alien monster named Zeram that has also come here to avoid capture. She and her computer (creatively named Bob) create an alternate dimension that she sends Zeram into in order to fight it without hurting anybody (if an innocent person gets killed, you see, she and Bob lose their bounty hunting licenses). However, a couple of dorky guys from Earth manage to travel to the dimension with her, and so she must not only defeat the monster but protect them. And that's pretty much it- this has one of the simplest plots I've ever seen, but it's an entertaining movie nonetheless- the action is cheesy but fun, and there's plenty of it, with the typical low-budget sci-fi f/x. Ilya is played by a very good looking actress, and her character is something of a cross between Boba Fett and Xena Warrior Princess. And thankfully, the two "comic relief" characters don't get too annoying, as is often the case in action movies that come out of Asia. It's nothing special, but this movie does deliver, so check it out if you get a chance.
Basically, it's about a beautiful female bounty hunter from another planet named Ilya who comes to Earth to stop an evil alien monster named Zeram that has also come here to avoid capture. She and her computer (creatively named Bob) create an alternate dimension that she sends Zeram into in order to fight it without hurting anybody (if an innocent person gets killed, you see, she and Bob lose their bounty hunting licenses). However, a couple of dorky guys from Earth manage to travel to the dimension with her, and so she must not only defeat the monster but protect them. And that's pretty much it- this has one of the simplest plots I've ever seen, but it's an entertaining movie nonetheless- the action is cheesy but fun, and there's plenty of it, with the typical low-budget sci-fi f/x. Ilya is played by a very good looking actress, and her character is something of a cross between Boba Fett and Xena Warrior Princess. And thankfully, the two "comic relief" characters don't get too annoying, as is often the case in action movies that come out of Asia. It's nothing special, but this movie does deliver, so check it out if you get a chance.
Iria rules!
Angel_Meiru17 December 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Keita Amemiya is the man. Both of the Zeiram movies and animated series proves that.
The film follows a woman from Planet Myce named Iria and her computer sidekick Bobu coming to Earth, tracking down the wherabouts of Zeiram, a bio-mechanical robot controlled by a living unit in its forehead.
But things do not run as smoothly as planned. Two locals named Kamiya and Teppei stumble into Iria's fort and mess things up. Zeiram finally comes into Iria's zone and starts to terrorize the civilians and it is up to Iria to save them and contain Zeiram.
Zeiram sure is a different breed of Sci-Fi movie, and there are great looking enemy designs to boot and a memorable female lead that make these movies worth while.
The film follows a woman from Planet Myce named Iria and her computer sidekick Bobu coming to Earth, tracking down the wherabouts of Zeiram, a bio-mechanical robot controlled by a living unit in its forehead.
But things do not run as smoothly as planned. Two locals named Kamiya and Teppei stumble into Iria's fort and mess things up. Zeiram finally comes into Iria's zone and starts to terrorize the civilians and it is up to Iria to save them and contain Zeiram.
Zeiram sure is a different breed of Sci-Fi movie, and there are great looking enemy designs to boot and a memorable female lead that make these movies worth while.
Too cool
grendel-2516 May 1999
Apart from the dorky telephone repairmen everything in this movie is done perfectly. The monster is the coolest ever, and the kickboxing female bounty hunter is a great hero.
Visually stunning despite the sometimes immature tone.
Visually stunning despite the sometimes immature tone.
a most recent review
vampie-3843629 May 2019
I see the last review of this movie was 7 years ago so i wanted to give a review as it would be a shame for this movie to be overlooked i haven't watched the original anime this movie is based on but on its on merit the movie is fun and stylish , good atmosphere and competent acting its a solid action scfi
bloodied but not manga-ed
winner5528 June 2006
When this Japanese sci-fi monster-action -comedy first reached the US, it very nearly developed a cult following. That it didn't probably had to do with the widespread distribution of anime, Japanese sci-fi fantasy thriller cartoons intended largely for adults.
The manga-anime phenomenon has disturbed me ever since I first bumped into it in 1973. back then, Japanese cartoons had absolutely no stylistics variance whatsoever. Ever face by every artist looked exactly same, the stories all followed the same formulae, regardless of writer - to be fair, there was a cultural ethic at work in this - at the time, many Japanese actually felt that individualistic styles projected a kind of arrogance. It wasn't until about 1990, with a whole new generation of Japanese artists, heavily influenced by material from America, that individual differences and variations became first tolerate, and then admired. Still, even today these differences and variations occur within very restrictive limits. And, perhaps not surprisingly, the more individualistic the artist's style, the more violent and offensive the material presented - to have an individualistic style is still recognized, to some extent, as transgressive and rebellious. However, the curious thing now, is why many Americans - from whom the Japanese learned to be rebellious - have grown attached to the variation-less similitude of traditional manga.
It is well to bear this in mind when approaching Zeram. The film - not animated by the way, and employing surprising little CGI - is a curious blend of sameness and difference. The female alien bounty-hunter who is the real hero of the film is actually derived from a fairly well-known manga type; unlike her cartoon sisters however, she has a real sense of humor, and her strength is not portrayed as in conflict with her femininity, but a part of it.
Her Earthling sidekicks are also remarkably different from the usual dumb-earthling sidekicks of the common manga. They fumble and bumble their way into the story, but they have their own kind of intelligence and their own kind of bravery - enough so that these contribute to the film's finale in a decisive manner.
But if there is offensive transgression to be found here, it certainly involves the title character. As rubber-monsters go, she is extremely violent. this sort of violence has become quite typical for manga (and one reason Japanese comics are not for kids); but most manga monsters are overtly sadistic, usually laughing when their victims suffer. Zeram is really a ruthless, but emotionless, unstoppable force. One can easily be shocked and disgusted with her, but one can't really feel any hatred or pity. despite the organic matter used in her construction, she is pure machine, with one function - the destruction of everything in her path that lives. Which is exactly why our unlikely team of heroes really need to have a sense of humor. Their situation would be unbearable if they didn't.
After an ultra-violent pre-credit sequence, the first 15 minutes of the film are a little dull, but that's because, unlike manga and manga-influenced action films, our heroes here have real personalities to be developed. Part of what will decide whether or not the viewer likes the film is whether the viewer likes these people, and I confess I do.
The film depends a lot upon - and is served well by - its editing and its soundtrack. There are also a couple of truly disturbing moments when the film forces us to confront the question of what it might really mean to be 'organic', i.e., human. And the bounty hunter has a computer-assistant with a dry slacker-like sense of humor ("yeah, whatever").
Over all, sci-fi entertainment beyond the usual from Japan.
PS: there is a sequel out, but it's pretty much like sequels everywhere; I do not recommend it.
The manga-anime phenomenon has disturbed me ever since I first bumped into it in 1973. back then, Japanese cartoons had absolutely no stylistics variance whatsoever. Ever face by every artist looked exactly same, the stories all followed the same formulae, regardless of writer - to be fair, there was a cultural ethic at work in this - at the time, many Japanese actually felt that individualistic styles projected a kind of arrogance. It wasn't until about 1990, with a whole new generation of Japanese artists, heavily influenced by material from America, that individual differences and variations became first tolerate, and then admired. Still, even today these differences and variations occur within very restrictive limits. And, perhaps not surprisingly, the more individualistic the artist's style, the more violent and offensive the material presented - to have an individualistic style is still recognized, to some extent, as transgressive and rebellious. However, the curious thing now, is why many Americans - from whom the Japanese learned to be rebellious - have grown attached to the variation-less similitude of traditional manga.
It is well to bear this in mind when approaching Zeram. The film - not animated by the way, and employing surprising little CGI - is a curious blend of sameness and difference. The female alien bounty-hunter who is the real hero of the film is actually derived from a fairly well-known manga type; unlike her cartoon sisters however, she has a real sense of humor, and her strength is not portrayed as in conflict with her femininity, but a part of it.
Her Earthling sidekicks are also remarkably different from the usual dumb-earthling sidekicks of the common manga. They fumble and bumble their way into the story, but they have their own kind of intelligence and their own kind of bravery - enough so that these contribute to the film's finale in a decisive manner.
But if there is offensive transgression to be found here, it certainly involves the title character. As rubber-monsters go, she is extremely violent. this sort of violence has become quite typical for manga (and one reason Japanese comics are not for kids); but most manga monsters are overtly sadistic, usually laughing when their victims suffer. Zeram is really a ruthless, but emotionless, unstoppable force. One can easily be shocked and disgusted with her, but one can't really feel any hatred or pity. despite the organic matter used in her construction, she is pure machine, with one function - the destruction of everything in her path that lives. Which is exactly why our unlikely team of heroes really need to have a sense of humor. Their situation would be unbearable if they didn't.
After an ultra-violent pre-credit sequence, the first 15 minutes of the film are a little dull, but that's because, unlike manga and manga-influenced action films, our heroes here have real personalities to be developed. Part of what will decide whether or not the viewer likes the film is whether the viewer likes these people, and I confess I do.
The film depends a lot upon - and is served well by - its editing and its soundtrack. There are also a couple of truly disturbing moments when the film forces us to confront the question of what it might really mean to be 'organic', i.e., human. And the bounty hunter has a computer-assistant with a dry slacker-like sense of humor ("yeah, whatever").
Over all, sci-fi entertainment beyond the usual from Japan.
PS: there is a sequel out, but it's pretty much like sequels everywhere; I do not recommend it.
Nostalgic cult classic right here!
fuzzyforks2 May 2012
An awesome action film about Iria a female bounty hunter after a nearly invulnerable galactic criminal, tough as the 'Terminator' but without the time travel. There's humor from the earth born assistants and Bob the heroine's computer assistant and plenty of action from Zeram//aka Zeiramu and his arsenal of biological organic weaponry! I have to look for it every couple of years since it's appearance in 1991. I still have the hots for Yuko Moriyama "Iria"! Just found out there is a part 2 at Stagevu, I hope that it's as good or better than the first! You should not be disappointed in this film although the effects are not 1st class but not too low budget either. If I say anymore I'll be telling you the story, trust me its a must see for scifi action lover's.
One of the best Japanese sci-fi movies I have seen.
Yojiro13 October 1999
When I was first starting out watching Japanese cinema, mainly anime (Japanese Animation) I happened to fall upon this title. Zeiram is one of my favorite sci-fi movies, right up their with Aliens. This film starts off with stunning visuals and ends up being a total knockout movie. Zeiram (Japanese title: Zeiramu) is well put together, and so is the dubbing of the film. If you don't speak Japanese, don't worry; you can go rent or buy the VHS copy of the film at a local video store & enjoy it in English! Overall, I would rate this film: 9 1/2 out of 10!
The Animated Series Is Based On This Movie
nickknightforever23 July 2020
This movie is awesome. I've watched the prequel animated series based on this movie titled "Iria : Zeiram The Animation" that is brilliant but I prefer the live action film. The story, development of characters and special effects are perfectly executed with a terrific soundtrack to bring it all together.
I really would like to see Iria battle The Guyver Dark Hero my other favourite live action anime character. Thank you.
A visually dazzling sci-fi spectacle
AlxSmits20 January 1999
A visually stunning film full of extravagant monsters and dazzling special effects. Director Keita Amemiya definitely has a flair for this kind of stylistic filmmaking and the film looks great, although the pacing could be tightened up a bit. What sets the film apart from so many others is the conviction and no-nonsense portrayal of the main character (Iria) by actress Yuko Moriyama. She offsets the otherwise campy tone of the film and lends it some credibility. Worth checking out if you're interested in a fun no-brainer sci-fi adventure stocked with girls, guns, gadgets, and monsters.
It is a very exciting movie that pulls you in to it!!
Ted-776 May 1999
Zeram is a very good movie that shows that dubbed movies can be fun and exciting in a good way. The movie has good special effects that will surprize you at first then jump out and get you. The creatures are amazing in this film.
Anime meets Cinema
ndwhite21 June 2000
I have always had a soft spot for anime-esque films. Zeram was both entertaining and indulging. I have no idea what the budget of this well produced film was, but the initial battle scene between Iria and Zeram was staggering. Those who appreciated the Kryptonian battle in 'Superman 2' will love this piece of cinematography. Kuddos.
Zeram's plotline is simple, the actors are fun to watch, and the action is a blast, the villain is more elemental than 'evil'. What else does the action-adventure viewer expect?
Thumbs way up.
Zeram's plotline is simple, the actors are fun to watch, and the action is a blast, the villain is more elemental than 'evil'. What else does the action-adventure viewer expect?
Thumbs way up.
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