With "Electric Dragon 80.000V", director Sogo Ishii brings homage to ... himself, really! Who else could he pay tribute to, because HE is the one man who single-handedly started the wild and anarchist Japanese punk-cinema and, even though other directors may have had a lot more success with it (for example Shinya Tsukamoto with "Tetsuo"), Ishii is and will always remain the pioneer of punk. That being said, "ED8kV" is an extremely weird accomplishment and it's probably the type of movie that spontaneously causes people to suffer from epilepsy & twitching. It feels like a 55 minutes long industrial videoclip, with chaotic camera movements, extremely loud noises and the most unique use of black and white photography you'll ever see. Ishii also put quite a bit of wicked imagination into the script, as he revolves his film on an unorthodox type of super-hero named Dragon Eye Morrison. The young punker-protagonist survived a massive electro-shock as a kid, but the accident somehow sparked severe aggression and powers. He sleeps with chains around his wrists and boisterously plays on his electric guitar to control the anger. Eventually, he's allowed to let out all his furious anger in a battle against his oddly masked nemesis Thunderbolt Buddha. Crazy film, a lot less nightmarish than the aforementioned "Tetsuo", but definitely an unforgettable visual attack on pretty much all your senses. Ishii's direction feels genuinely hostile and aggressive, as if he wanted to take revenge on big studios and meddlesome producers who always interfered with his personal visions and ideas, resulting in final cuts the director didn't even like. "Burst City" is the ideal example of that. As said, the film is only 55 minutes long, but personally I thought it was more than long enough! A couple of minutes extra and I probably would have started hallucinating about talking lizards and malicious Buddha's myself. And my tympanum membranes probably wouldn't have survived a longer version, neither.
25 Reviews
Boring
rubinek7 August 2005
I saw this movie on a double-feature DVD together with Tetsuo Ironman. Where Tetsuo is an original piece of independent cinema and really shocking, Electric Dragon 80.000 V wants to look interesting but fails.
Tetsuo lasted as a groundbreaking experience. After half of the movie I found Electric Dragon downright boring. Electric Dragon has some nice ideas but the fighting scene is uninspired and the "Dragon-Man" choking the guitar is silly after a while.
I had high expectations but in my opinion this isn't a movie to recommend.
3 out of 10
Tetsuo lasted as a groundbreaking experience. After half of the movie I found Electric Dragon downright boring. Electric Dragon has some nice ideas but the fighting scene is uninspired and the "Dragon-Man" choking the guitar is silly after a while.
I had high expectations but in my opinion this isn't a movie to recommend.
3 out of 10
Classic....
mr23m788 July 2003
This would be the perfect companion piece for Tetsuo the Iron Man. Sharp, over the top, and rather fierce lil' film that'll have you bugged out all the way till its conclusion. Though its only an hour long, the director packed in so much detail(including a gangster with a finger spinning phone/gun, missing lizard posters, an electric mattress, a supercharged guitar and more), humor and backstory that it seems as if the film is much longer but this certainly isn't a bad thing at all. One hour is more than enough and the filmmakers knew this instead of taking two hours to set everything up. This film is like an electrical surge to the senses. Like watching a car wreck but in slow motion. Hard, pounding music, crazy narration, sharp cinematography and an excellent use of the black, grey, silver, and white color tones only adds to the furious pace of the film. Not to mention some very funny performances by our two leads/challengers- a violence prone, guitar shredding lizard detective(imagine a Japanese Ace Ventura), and an electronic peeping tom/hitman/technogadget geek with split personalites(and half a metal mask). But, what makes these characters very cool- A shared love of electricity and an ability to conduct and harness it to use as they wish. This film is like a slow burn with two very volatile opponents slowly but surely heading on a crash course with each other. A very very very fun, funny and entertaining film. Highly recommended. 10/10
Utterly bizzare
DanTheMan2150AD17 January 2024
A 55-minute hyperkinetic descent into electro-charged madness, Electric Dragon 80.000 V is a virtually plotless, overly-extended music video playing like a punk rock shock to the brain. Championing kinetic anarchy and raw aggression, the film's underground visual style with its high contrast black and white cinematography and bizarre imagery set to an overwhelming eardrum-shattering industrial noise soundtrack will certainly have its fans. I can't deny that the film is a wildly unique piece of eye candy, often with fast-cutting sequences filled with flashes of electricity and surging power within our characters, not to mention the wild guitar-playing sequences. Having that high contrast crisp monochrome look, Electric Dragon plays like a manga come to its fullest realisation, a visual and aural marvel, shot and edited with boundless energy and style, and yet I'm still left wanting more.
It's fun, it's quirky, and it's loud.
sound-411 May 2011
Electric Dragon 80,000 Volts is a frenetic rock and roll fever dream come to life. The narrative is fairly simple, but the action is intense. It's a loud film: the music is guitar freakout aggressive punk noise.
The characters are developed via compressed time quick cuts and long takes that show their idiosyncratic behaviors. There's almost a meditative quality to the longer shots, especially when viewed in the unique cinematography style. For those who are interested in one-off visual styles, this film would merit repeated viewing. I highly recommend the making-of features on the DVD.
If you like punk music and wuxia films, this may be the best use of an hour you've had in weeks.
The characters are developed via compressed time quick cuts and long takes that show their idiosyncratic behaviors. There's almost a meditative quality to the longer shots, especially when viewed in the unique cinematography style. For those who are interested in one-off visual styles, this film would merit repeated viewing. I highly recommend the making-of features on the DVD.
If you like punk music and wuxia films, this may be the best use of an hour you've had in weeks.
Fun - straight up, no chaser
InzyWimzy16 October 2003
Tadanobu Asano's middle name is COOL.
This one's a visual treat. If you've seen Tetsuo: Iron Man, you'll be familiar with the breakneck cuts, but there's less of the "biting down on aluminum foil" effect you get from Tetsuo. Asano just flows into his character who's has one of the best morning routines I've ever seen. I don't even want to describe his scenes, but they're a hoot to watch. The black and white definitely gives the movie a more gritty, almost kinetic feel. Effects are great without overkill and there's so much style onscreen giving ED8V its unique energy. Just watch the quick dialogue flashes and you feel the adrenaline laced coaster ride.
ED8V definitely flows and the movie pretty much keeps you glued throughout. Definitely rewatchable as there's a lot to pick up on that you have missed the first time.
This one's a visual treat. If you've seen Tetsuo: Iron Man, you'll be familiar with the breakneck cuts, but there's less of the "biting down on aluminum foil" effect you get from Tetsuo. Asano just flows into his character who's has one of the best morning routines I've ever seen. I don't even want to describe his scenes, but they're a hoot to watch. The black and white definitely gives the movie a more gritty, almost kinetic feel. Effects are great without overkill and there's so much style onscreen giving ED8V its unique energy. Just watch the quick dialogue flashes and you feel the adrenaline laced coaster ride.
ED8V definitely flows and the movie pretty much keeps you glued throughout. Definitely rewatchable as there's a lot to pick up on that you have missed the first time.
So awesome
BandSAboutMovies1 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Gakuryu Ishii made Burst City and if that were not enough of an attack on the senses, he made this film, the story of Dragon Eye Morrison (Tadanobu Asano, the incredible Kakihara from Ichi the Killer), who was given electroshock therapy as achild which now gives him the ability to conduct electricity, which he sometimes uses in his job as a reptile investigator and guitar player. But now, another man - Thunderbolt Buddha (Masatoshi Nagase, Mystery Train) - also has those powers but uses them to go after gangsters. Inevitably, the two must meet and battle one another.
Most amazingly, this most is narrated by Masakatsu Funaki, who was the best native star of Pancrase, an early MMA legend and still an active pro wrestler.
A black and white film bursting with attitude, noise and chaos, this is what a comic book film should look like. You know how some movies seem cool? This is what being cool is all about.
Most amazingly, this most is narrated by Masakatsu Funaki, who was the best native star of Pancrase, an early MMA legend and still an active pro wrestler.
A black and white film bursting with attitude, noise and chaos, this is what a comic book film should look like. You know how some movies seem cool? This is what being cool is all about.
Tetsuo, only 10 years later.
Onderhond24 October 2003
Rating: 9/10
Cyberpunk is long since dead. The movement was founded in the early 80s, and represented rather an attitude, instead of content. Cyberpunk was raw, gritty, industrial and had an unhealthy technology fetish. The prime example of the whole cyberpunk movement in the film industry was the Japanese film Tetsuo (The Iron Man), which brought international fame to director Shinya Tsukamoto. Before that, director Sogo Ishii had already dabbled in the realms of cyberpunk, with varying success. His films never reached the heights of Tsukamoto's, and soon, it was just considered a phase he had to go through.
People lost interest, and soon only a weak remainder of the whole cyberpunk mentality was left. Some films are obviously still influenced by it, but the core has died since then, and only those small influences remain. Ten years later, Ishii was asked by his producer to take a trip back, and to make another punk film. Ishii happily took the challenge upon him, and set out to revive a way of thought that was buried a good ten years ago.
The story is an extremely simple one, like a comic book. Two electric mutants exist in Tokyo. The first one, Dragon Eye Morrison, a violent kid who got infused with electricity due to an overdose of electric shock therapy. He changed his ways, and captures amphibians for a living. The only way to discharge himself from the ever-rising electric currents in his body is to play the electric guitar. The second one, his adversary, is called Thunderbolt Buddha. Fried while climbing a pylon as a kid, his entire right side is cast in iron to conduct the electricity from his body. Obviously, Tokyo isn't big enough for the two of them, so one needs to go.
Sounds silly? Good, it should. Electric Dragon is mostly silent, and whatever dialogue there is, is often accompanied with violent calligraphic pieces. The film isn't all that concerned with plot holes, or with the plot itself it seems. It is meant to entertain, and that it does. I must admit that I even lost track of what was going on for the middle part of the film, not that it mattered to me, since the outcome of the film could be predicted after the first few minutes. For the lead roles, Ishii was able to get Tadanobu Asano and Masatoshi Nagase, two big names in Japanese cinema, who play their parts with extreme vigor and passion, and with total disregard to their fandom status. Asano was also the one who did the calligraphy for the film.
Not only that, but the score of the film was also made by Asano. Together with Ishii, he forms an industrial punk band called Mach 1.67, who provided most of the songs for Electric Dragon. The film has without a doubt the most ear-shattering soundtrack ever, with wailing guitars, distorted samples, distorted voices and a hellish tempo. It's more than just a part of the film, as it defines the film, and gels everything together. The sound design is excellent too. In many scenes some sizzling electricity samples are added, just to add another layer of density. It's probably not to everybody's taste, and personally, I've heard harder, denser, and grittier songs, but as a soundtrack, it works wonders.
Visually, Electric Dragon is shot in lush black & white, with an eye for detail. There is some added CGI, which blend in nicely, although it must be said it's greatly benefiting from the black & white and comic book setting. The only small remark I have is that the visuals can't measure up to the soundtrack on some occasions, and, in comparison, can even be considered rather plain. Not the shots themselves, which are great, but the editing is sometimes a bit tame, and could've used some extra attention. Luckily, the latter half of the film totally makes up for this, with zany effects and extremely messy camera work.
With the first half of the film dedicating itself to shape the characters, the latter half is all about the battle. There's even time for a little subplot with a mobile-wielding Yakuza. After some planning and setting up traps, they finally meet for the big showdown, both planning to crush their adversary. The ending really brings out the potential of the film, and leaves you behind, dazed and confused, wondering if it wasn't all just a wild dream. Not that you have much time for catching your breath, as the end credits are set to the same deafening soundtrack the rest of the film features.
It's easy to see that Electric Dragon only focused on one thing. Fun. Shot in only a week, with a very low budget, it's an all-out attack on the senses. Going with that, it blends in a great comic book story that's as insane as the rest of the film. Ishii handles everything with a good dose of humor, illustrated by the character names, dialogues and the sound effects of munching lizards. The characters gave their all, and the film ends with a bang. The only thing that prevents this from becoming an ultimate masterpiece, is some uninspiring editing in the middle, and the fact that Tetsuo did everything just a tad bit better. Note that this isn't a film that will be appreciated by most people. You need a healthy dose of relativation, and should be interested in cinema that pushes the boundaries of audiovisual blending. I can only recommend this film though, as it is a fine continuation of the cyberpunk spirit, true to its original spirit.
Cyberpunk is long since dead. The movement was founded in the early 80s, and represented rather an attitude, instead of content. Cyberpunk was raw, gritty, industrial and had an unhealthy technology fetish. The prime example of the whole cyberpunk movement in the film industry was the Japanese film Tetsuo (The Iron Man), which brought international fame to director Shinya Tsukamoto. Before that, director Sogo Ishii had already dabbled in the realms of cyberpunk, with varying success. His films never reached the heights of Tsukamoto's, and soon, it was just considered a phase he had to go through.
People lost interest, and soon only a weak remainder of the whole cyberpunk mentality was left. Some films are obviously still influenced by it, but the core has died since then, and only those small influences remain. Ten years later, Ishii was asked by his producer to take a trip back, and to make another punk film. Ishii happily took the challenge upon him, and set out to revive a way of thought that was buried a good ten years ago.
The story is an extremely simple one, like a comic book. Two electric mutants exist in Tokyo. The first one, Dragon Eye Morrison, a violent kid who got infused with electricity due to an overdose of electric shock therapy. He changed his ways, and captures amphibians for a living. The only way to discharge himself from the ever-rising electric currents in his body is to play the electric guitar. The second one, his adversary, is called Thunderbolt Buddha. Fried while climbing a pylon as a kid, his entire right side is cast in iron to conduct the electricity from his body. Obviously, Tokyo isn't big enough for the two of them, so one needs to go.
Sounds silly? Good, it should. Electric Dragon is mostly silent, and whatever dialogue there is, is often accompanied with violent calligraphic pieces. The film isn't all that concerned with plot holes, or with the plot itself it seems. It is meant to entertain, and that it does. I must admit that I even lost track of what was going on for the middle part of the film, not that it mattered to me, since the outcome of the film could be predicted after the first few minutes. For the lead roles, Ishii was able to get Tadanobu Asano and Masatoshi Nagase, two big names in Japanese cinema, who play their parts with extreme vigor and passion, and with total disregard to their fandom status. Asano was also the one who did the calligraphy for the film.
Not only that, but the score of the film was also made by Asano. Together with Ishii, he forms an industrial punk band called Mach 1.67, who provided most of the songs for Electric Dragon. The film has without a doubt the most ear-shattering soundtrack ever, with wailing guitars, distorted samples, distorted voices and a hellish tempo. It's more than just a part of the film, as it defines the film, and gels everything together. The sound design is excellent too. In many scenes some sizzling electricity samples are added, just to add another layer of density. It's probably not to everybody's taste, and personally, I've heard harder, denser, and grittier songs, but as a soundtrack, it works wonders.
Visually, Electric Dragon is shot in lush black & white, with an eye for detail. There is some added CGI, which blend in nicely, although it must be said it's greatly benefiting from the black & white and comic book setting. The only small remark I have is that the visuals can't measure up to the soundtrack on some occasions, and, in comparison, can even be considered rather plain. Not the shots themselves, which are great, but the editing is sometimes a bit tame, and could've used some extra attention. Luckily, the latter half of the film totally makes up for this, with zany effects and extremely messy camera work.
With the first half of the film dedicating itself to shape the characters, the latter half is all about the battle. There's even time for a little subplot with a mobile-wielding Yakuza. After some planning and setting up traps, they finally meet for the big showdown, both planning to crush their adversary. The ending really brings out the potential of the film, and leaves you behind, dazed and confused, wondering if it wasn't all just a wild dream. Not that you have much time for catching your breath, as the end credits are set to the same deafening soundtrack the rest of the film features.
It's easy to see that Electric Dragon only focused on one thing. Fun. Shot in only a week, with a very low budget, it's an all-out attack on the senses. Going with that, it blends in a great comic book story that's as insane as the rest of the film. Ishii handles everything with a good dose of humor, illustrated by the character names, dialogues and the sound effects of munching lizards. The characters gave their all, and the film ends with a bang. The only thing that prevents this from becoming an ultimate masterpiece, is some uninspiring editing in the middle, and the fact that Tetsuo did everything just a tad bit better. Note that this isn't a film that will be appreciated by most people. You need a healthy dose of relativation, and should be interested in cinema that pushes the boundaries of audiovisual blending. I can only recommend this film though, as it is a fine continuation of the cyberpunk spirit, true to its original spirit.
Interesting film but not for me....
shellytwade15 December 2021
If you are into odd offbeat movies, this one might really speak to you. To me though, I was pretty disconnected to the whole thing. It's often compared to Tetsuo but Tetsuo seemed to have a lot more soul to go along with its outlandish visuals. Electric Dragon appeared to me to be more just a series of images. I can see why some would enjoy this but to me it just doesn't cut it.
Why did you make me angry!
Meganeguard19 December 2004
Director: Ishii Sogo Duration: 55 minutes
Imagine if you will, a young boy climbing up a towering metal structure that supports dangerous electrical wires while his family down below pleads for him to come down. The imagine one tiny sweat drop on the boy's cheek attracting an electrical bolt from the transformer that strikes him and knocks him from his perch. One would guess that the boy would be fried through, but in the world of _Electric Dragon 80,000 Volts_ this is definitely not the case. Instead the part of the boy's brain that controls emotions is damaged. The boy has a hard time releasing his emotions and when he does it usually results in folks being knocked out cold. The doctors try to keep him in line by shock treatment, but this only keeps him subdued for short periods of time. However, he finds a way to calm his inner demons and this is through an electric guitar, and so Dragon Eye Morrison, Asano Tadanobom is born!!
This movie is quite odd. It is in black and white which makes it feel quite gritty and low budget, but it does make the film's atmosphere quite striking especially when Morrison's anger builds up to overflowing. There is very little dialog and most of the film is spent watching Morrison hunt for lizards. His profession is hunting for lost lizards. However, the scenes in which he fights his arch enemy, Thundrerbolt Buddha, are quite well done. This is a fun film for a bit of mindless entertainment. It should be noted that Asano is in a band with the director Ishii and he also did the calligraphy for the film.
Imagine if you will, a young boy climbing up a towering metal structure that supports dangerous electrical wires while his family down below pleads for him to come down. The imagine one tiny sweat drop on the boy's cheek attracting an electrical bolt from the transformer that strikes him and knocks him from his perch. One would guess that the boy would be fried through, but in the world of _Electric Dragon 80,000 Volts_ this is definitely not the case. Instead the part of the boy's brain that controls emotions is damaged. The boy has a hard time releasing his emotions and when he does it usually results in folks being knocked out cold. The doctors try to keep him in line by shock treatment, but this only keeps him subdued for short periods of time. However, he finds a way to calm his inner demons and this is through an electric guitar, and so Dragon Eye Morrison, Asano Tadanobom is born!!
This movie is quite odd. It is in black and white which makes it feel quite gritty and low budget, but it does make the film's atmosphere quite striking especially when Morrison's anger builds up to overflowing. There is very little dialog and most of the film is spent watching Morrison hunt for lizards. His profession is hunting for lost lizards. However, the scenes in which he fights his arch enemy, Thundrerbolt Buddha, are quite well done. This is a fun film for a bit of mindless entertainment. It should be noted that Asano is in a band with the director Ishii and he also did the calligraphy for the film.
Did I Miss Something?
austin-4511417 August 2023
Either I fell asleep and dreamed that I watched a movie in which nothing happened or I really watched a supposedly great movie in which almost happened. Things that actually happened include: man walking around a city, man going into a room, two men showing their guns to each other and then one getting pushed to the ground, close-ups of a lizard's face, man playing guitar loudly for 5 minutes, two men fighting on a rooftop in a style that did not look like kung-fu (I would call it something like "camera-edit-fighting"). Im debating whether I should flag this review for spoilers considering that I just listed almost everything that happens in the movie. I love asian cinema because you can almost always count on interesting things to happen. Almost every review praised this film so I was excited. Maybe its my fault for expecting a science fiction film or an action film because this film was clearly neither of those things. If I were smarter or open-minded, perhaps I would appreciate movies in which nothing happens. Unfortunately, I like to see things happen in movies. Im not a fan of Jean Luc Godard and im not a fan of this. One positive thing I will say is that the DVD came with the CD soundtrack which is simply amazing and I will be playing it for life. The movie though? Im afraid not.
Doesn't let you go - makes you contemplate, and it's fun too!
djhakase6 August 2004
Electric Dragon 80.000V is a striking black-and-white raunch through Tokyo, with an extremely simple plot line to accentuate the force of the film. It's about a troubled man who was shocked by high voltage wires when he was young. When his anger rises, he starts releasing electricity uncontrollably. The only thing able to calm him down is his... electric guitar.
The director, Sogo Ishii, is well known for his high-energy pieces, and began his career well before current highly regarded directors such as Takashi Miike and Shinya Tsukamoto, and produced bloody critiques on society even before Shinya reached for his first drill. Most notably, Sogo Ishii worked with Einsturzende Neubauten to produce Half Man, part documentary, part music video, and very good.
Electric Dragon 80.000V doesn't let you go, even when you're following in the footsteps of the main lead as he trawls through endless alleyways with pounding music in the background. Part of that is because of Tadanobu Asano, the relentlessly talented actor who has singlehandedly created a new sort of stardom in Japan, and it's no surprise he is called their Johnny Depp. The mastery over the direction is breathtaking - left deliberately rough to jar your senses, to neither keep you on the edge of the seat nor let you relax, you are driven to contemplate what exactly this is all about. The movie's fun to watch too!
The storyline reaches its conclusion none too soon, and none too late either. At just over 60 minutes, you get the feeling that there's going to be more of these, and you would be right. A sequel was produced which I'm dying to see.
The director, Sogo Ishii, is well known for his high-energy pieces, and began his career well before current highly regarded directors such as Takashi Miike and Shinya Tsukamoto, and produced bloody critiques on society even before Shinya reached for his first drill. Most notably, Sogo Ishii worked with Einsturzende Neubauten to produce Half Man, part documentary, part music video, and very good.
Electric Dragon 80.000V doesn't let you go, even when you're following in the footsteps of the main lead as he trawls through endless alleyways with pounding music in the background. Part of that is because of Tadanobu Asano, the relentlessly talented actor who has singlehandedly created a new sort of stardom in Japan, and it's no surprise he is called their Johnny Depp. The mastery over the direction is breathtaking - left deliberately rough to jar your senses, to neither keep you on the edge of the seat nor let you relax, you are driven to contemplate what exactly this is all about. The movie's fun to watch too!
The storyline reaches its conclusion none too soon, and none too late either. At just over 60 minutes, you get the feeling that there's going to be more of these, and you would be right. A sequel was produced which I'm dying to see.
So freakin' awesome!
zetes10 October 2011
Tsukamoto-esque insanity. I wouldn't have been surprised to see that Tsukamoto had directed this, but I wouldn't call it a rip-off. It's definitely reminiscent of Tetsuo, but it is quite different. Tadanobu Asano stars as Dragon Eye Morrison, a man who was infused with electricity as a child when he climbed an electrical tower. He spends his days rocking out on the electrical guitar and hanging out with his collection of lizards. Meanwhile, another electrical prodigy known as Thunderbolt Buddha (Masatoshi Nagase) is cruising the streets of Tokyo looking for Asano, itching for an epic battle. The film is fairly plot less, just made up of gorgeous black and white images of the two men drifting through Tokyo. Ishii frequently uses Tsukamoto's lightning-paced editing, but a lot of the film moves a lot more slowly than that. The awesome Japanese heavy metal that Asano plays defines the mood, and the film subsequently rocked my nuts off. I will be adding this one to my collection as soon as possible. It's totally effing awesome.
A Supersonic Journey on a 80.000V Lightning Bolt!
rui-immortal18 September 2007
Now here is a movie which really goes the extra mile for that high octane speed of a supersonic journey into Japan's fantastical cinematic lunacy, by ways of a stylish approach to the urban allegory of "electric" lives, and of "electric" and violent childhoods that spawn truly ugly and senseless beasts into the streets of modern society. Is our civilization just waiting to die on the hands of our "electric" youth? It seems as if, the faster you go the more will you want to best, no matter how powerful or mighty obstacles are. Far from being a cinematic masterpiece, it effectively does deliver the goods in a frenzied surrealism, with a rock'n'roll attitude and some cyberpunk elements thrown in for good measure, as this is a low-budget production shot on black and white, drawn on top of Sogo Ichii's Japanese underground film-making of the early 80's, from the time when he made Burst City (1982). Definitely not Blade Runner but rather a runner-up to Shinya Tsukamoto's Tetsuo The Iron Man, Electric Dragon 80.000V (2001) is made to satisfy those hungry for dynamic cinematography, weird characters with even weirder agendas, racing through a lethargic metropolis in a lightning speed overpowering crescendo of Electricity! Do not expect classical dramatization, social light comedy or a dense intellectual mystery. This is an over-the-top loony piece of adrenaline fueled j-fantasy, driven by a rock solid soundtrack, added by churning guitar soundscapes of abrasive rawness.
So, buy it, throw it inside your player and, BANG! Rock'n'Roll, baby!
Worth the wait, definitely!
So, buy it, throw it inside your player and, BANG! Rock'n'Roll, baby!
Worth the wait, definitely!
You don't need to be on drugs to enjoy this...though it would help!
planktonrules27 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
As I watched "Electric Dragon 80,000 V", a couple plumbers were working on my sink. After the film ended, they said "What WAS that?!"....and their reaction isn't at all surprising, as "Electric Dragon" is weird, confusing and a film with little in the way of context. Odd is a nice way to describe it.
The film begins without credits or narration. It also has little dialog and is a very difficult story to follow. What I gathered is that a guy was a violent youth and adult and to punish or correct this, authorities gave him increasingly larger doses of electroshock. After a while, as he aged he he grew to like these jolts of electricity and when he wasn't shocking himself, he was either playing his electric guitar (badly) or taking care of lizards...which was his passion as a lost lizard detective!
Another guy enters the story. He sports a half Buddha mask and loves to play with electricity. He also, apparently, is sporting for a showdown with the other guy...though why and what it is all about is anyone's guess. What happens ultimately, well, you can see that for yourself.
To say this film is weird, confusing and trippy is an understatement. And, in addition, I have a hard time saying whether I even liked it! Strange and disjoint, this is definitely NOT a film for the casual film viewer or even a 'normal' person! Watch at your own risk.
The film begins without credits or narration. It also has little dialog and is a very difficult story to follow. What I gathered is that a guy was a violent youth and adult and to punish or correct this, authorities gave him increasingly larger doses of electroshock. After a while, as he aged he he grew to like these jolts of electricity and when he wasn't shocking himself, he was either playing his electric guitar (badly) or taking care of lizards...which was his passion as a lost lizard detective!
Another guy enters the story. He sports a half Buddha mask and loves to play with electricity. He also, apparently, is sporting for a showdown with the other guy...though why and what it is all about is anyone's guess. What happens ultimately, well, you can see that for yourself.
To say this film is weird, confusing and trippy is an understatement. And, in addition, I have a hard time saying whether I even liked it! Strange and disjoint, this is definitely NOT a film for the casual film viewer or even a 'normal' person! Watch at your own risk.
Punkrock masterpiece
SupaChupacabra30 March 2006
This movie is silly, and seems rushed at times, but it was made in a week what the hell do you want? The soundtrack rocks, as the leads formed a band with the director, and did the graphics... the closing credits I think are the best I've ever seen in any movie. Phenomenal. With vague references to technology and information, it's plot is mostly just "lizard part of brain activated by electric jolt" and "2 electric enemy fight" ... crazy stoopid violence and electricity! The DIY ethos of the group pretty much seals it as a punkrock endeavor, less a cyber one. Excellent photography, acting, and tight, quick storyline... efficient, entertaining, inspirational.
Laughably Bad: CONSERVE ELECTRICITY!!
worfleized13 January 2008
There were more lines of dialog in the trailer for this movie than in the movie itself. OK. One might also point out that almost 1/10 of this movie was some idiot trying to play an obviously broken guitar. Another 1/5 was the same guy playing a working guitar without form or skill. It is my opinion that that is why "Thunderbolt Buddha" decided to kill him. No one that bad at guitar should be allowed to live. The acting in Electric Dragon is terrible, like Robert Bresson but without a point. The fight scene at the end is crappy, boring, and anticlimactic. There aren't many "scenes" but the different random shots of folks walking around and "rocking" are interspersed with random shots of voltmeter and . . . towers. There were a few decent scenes, stylistically, like the scene in which our arch villain fixes a TV antenna for a little old lady. The effects are OK too. But come on. Honestly. This movie is only really good for a laugh with friends.
Also after watching that movie I am definitely going to name my first child Dragon Eye Morisson.
Also after watching that movie I am definitely going to name my first child Dragon Eye Morisson.
55 minutes of audiovisual insanity
los_perverso29 May 2003
Waauu... you gotta love this visual stunning,loud and berserk jewel of a movie. Sogo Ishii has created a masterpiece with obviosly influences from
Shinya Tsukamoto's "Tetsuo" spiced with a bit of "Wild Zero"
Tadanobu Asano last seen in "ichi the killer". plays the hero "Dragon eye morrison", a punk with a mad history of violence.He was heavily overdosed with electro-shock therapy throughout most of his life to try and eliminate his over-agressive kickass animalistic tendencies,which has now left him with a charged 80,000 volts of electricity body!! And when he gets p***ed... His only outlets for his violent frustrations are his guitar..
Masatoshi Nagase is the villain "Thundebolt Buddha"who as a kid was struck by lightning whilst climbing a pylon... He got charged up with 20 million volts of electricity,and half of his body is now encased in gold/metal to earth him. For some reason "Thundebolt Buddha" decides to pick a fight with
"Dragon eye morrison" and starts winding him up to the max of the voltmeter, wich leads to the big clash of electric power on top of tokyo. Electric Dragon 80.000 V is a hillarious,intense very loud and visually flawless piece of work.And it seems theese two guys are tailermade for the role's....It comes highly recommended and in my opinion an instant modern cult classic!
Shinya Tsukamoto's "Tetsuo" spiced with a bit of "Wild Zero"
Tadanobu Asano last seen in "ichi the killer". plays the hero "Dragon eye morrison", a punk with a mad history of violence.He was heavily overdosed with electro-shock therapy throughout most of his life to try and eliminate his over-agressive kickass animalistic tendencies,which has now left him with a charged 80,000 volts of electricity body!! And when he gets p***ed... His only outlets for his violent frustrations are his guitar..
Masatoshi Nagase is the villain "Thundebolt Buddha"who as a kid was struck by lightning whilst climbing a pylon... He got charged up with 20 million volts of electricity,and half of his body is now encased in gold/metal to earth him. For some reason "Thundebolt Buddha" decides to pick a fight with
"Dragon eye morrison" and starts winding him up to the max of the voltmeter, wich leads to the big clash of electric power on top of tokyo. Electric Dragon 80.000 V is a hillarious,intense very loud and visually flawless piece of work.And it seems theese two guys are tailermade for the role's....It comes highly recommended and in my opinion an instant modern cult classic!
Ground breaking Sound
pantera4king25 April 2005
What can i say about this film? How can i sell it to you? thats the question really. well its not really likely that you will ever catch this on TV or for that matter in a general Shop, i had to look about for awhile until To my surprise i find it on ebay and snatched it up, But enough about that lets sell the film to you.
Firstly Tom mes describes it more as an experience than a film. which i totally agree with, If you have a good sound system you will understand, just try not to blow it up while watching it.
The film stars Tadanobu Asano (infamous Kakihara from Ichi the killer) who plays the great character of Dragon Eye Morrison. Its all in Black and white which may put some people off. and to them i say GOOD RIDANCE! there the ones missing out on a masterpiece of a film.
if you want to show the power of your sound system this is the film for you. i wont go into details of the plot as it'll spoil it for you just look out for the insane guitar riffs
Firstly Tom mes describes it more as an experience than a film. which i totally agree with, If you have a good sound system you will understand, just try not to blow it up while watching it.
The film stars Tadanobu Asano (infamous Kakihara from Ichi the killer) who plays the great character of Dragon Eye Morrison. Its all in Black and white which may put some people off. and to them i say GOOD RIDANCE! there the ones missing out on a masterpiece of a film.
if you want to show the power of your sound system this is the film for you. i wont go into details of the plot as it'll spoil it for you just look out for the insane guitar riffs
Mindblowing,Real Action Manga
kljuc27 March 2001
Well, i dont know what to say about this movie... I saw this movie at the Rotterdam Filmfestival, and the movie was then just released. The director was present and he asked for the volume to be set extra loud...and it was so loud, i think that one of the speakers got blown away There is (almost)no dialogue in this movie, but the noise, the camerawork...mindblowing my girlfriend didnt like the movie, said it was the weirdest movie she ever saw.. and that is what this movie is about, either you like the movie, or you will think it is rubbish..
Never touch a man guitar
phanthinga7 November 2017
Electric Dragon 80.000 V is a weird movie but it a weird movie in the best way possible.There is hardly any context or explanation behind the movie plot(if you can call it that) but just about 55 minutes this movie has entertain me enough to make me write a review about it.In Tokyo city Dragon Eyes Morrison a crazy violent man who love reptiles and Thunderbolt Buddha a man with a haft Buddha face duking it out in anime battle style with a lot of electricity and manga subtext out of their mouth.The whole movie shot in black and white also help it feel more experimental so i highly recommend it for cult movie fan.The mo need a sequel for real
One of the best comic-book movies ever made
chaos-rampant14 October 2011
The entire point of comic books was that their art was ragged, untrimmed, spontaneous; artists were usually paid by the page, worked for daily strips, or monthly publications, Superman and Batman were launched in this way. As with the very means, a comic was about a gripping story quicky sketched. So the Hollywood craze with superheroes, bulky, sprawling films shooting for months while a small army of SFX experts are tinkering away at the designs, has directly negated what was so vital about these things in the first place. The apogee of this is the latest Batman films, no longer a product of pulp fiction, but of the most serious aesthetic and drama.
This beats with that primitive heart of comic-books; the DIY ethos, here especially channeled through a scrapyard punk rock aesthetic, and so like punk, the fast, hard-edged rhythms, the stripped-down instrumentation. The teenage energy.
If all this recalls Shunya Tsukamoto, it's because Sogo Ishii was the inspiration. He fathered the No Wave we find in Tetsuo.
Story-wise it's about these two man-technology hybrids, Dragon Eye Morrison and Thunderbolt Buddha, battling for control of the neon skies of Tokyo, for the privilege of harnessing the energies into seeing.
Dragon Eye is unbridled animal desire, pure violent instinct awakened by childhood abuse. Every night he sits down on his bed for shock treatment. He channels the energies back into the world with his electric guitar. The other guy is more intriguing, with the all-encompassing eye of the Buddha that permeates the veils of existence recast as a contemporary, technological eye that eavesdrops everywhere. Wired with industrial gadgetry, he monitors everything from his rooftop. His face is an amazing two-face design; half human, half a metal mask of the Buddha.
When they clash the movie erupts in white-hot blistering chaos, convulsing from the sheer power of the energies unleashed. Anime, punk rock, New Wave cinema, cold cityscapes, the anarchic edge of youth; at 55 minutes it's barely a full movie, but it's a melting pot of awesome.
This beats with that primitive heart of comic-books; the DIY ethos, here especially channeled through a scrapyard punk rock aesthetic, and so like punk, the fast, hard-edged rhythms, the stripped-down instrumentation. The teenage energy.
If all this recalls Shunya Tsukamoto, it's because Sogo Ishii was the inspiration. He fathered the No Wave we find in Tetsuo.
Story-wise it's about these two man-technology hybrids, Dragon Eye Morrison and Thunderbolt Buddha, battling for control of the neon skies of Tokyo, for the privilege of harnessing the energies into seeing.
Dragon Eye is unbridled animal desire, pure violent instinct awakened by childhood abuse. Every night he sits down on his bed for shock treatment. He channels the energies back into the world with his electric guitar. The other guy is more intriguing, with the all-encompassing eye of the Buddha that permeates the veils of existence recast as a contemporary, technological eye that eavesdrops everywhere. Wired with industrial gadgetry, he monitors everything from his rooftop. His face is an amazing two-face design; half human, half a metal mask of the Buddha.
When they clash the movie erupts in white-hot blistering chaos, convulsing from the sheer power of the energies unleashed. Anime, punk rock, New Wave cinema, cold cityscapes, the anarchic edge of youth; at 55 minutes it's barely a full movie, but it's a melting pot of awesome.
Furious visual Hardcore
buffalo66610 March 2002
This is an aggressive Tour de Force in the vein of the early works of Shinya Tsukamoto, while nor sharing the intense body horror of those films or the extreme stand toward sexuality. Two electrified superheros battle for domination in this short (55 min) b/w feature film by Sogo Ishii. Electric Dragon Eye who was superempowered by an accident is capable of communicating with reptiles and releases his amphetamine stridden electronic energy by playing electric guitar on the streets. He is provoked by another stud the Thunderbold Buddha that is wearing a split mask over his head. Superfast cut Comic action combined with the sound of Ishiis own band Mach.167 culminates in a furious battle on the rooftop of a japanese megalopolis. Its Cyberpunk and definitely related to digital hardcore music or Alec Empire.
waste of time and money
didi77727 May 2002
it rarely happens that I want to walk out of a movie theatre in the middle of a film, but this time it was very close. I was hoping for a second movie after this 55 minute one, that's why I stayed. this movie is a movie experience gone totally nuts. extremely loud (my ears still hurt) and extremely bad guitar music to fast cut scenes of a man faking to play guitar in the wildest possible moves (he discharges the electric energy in him into the the guitar, electric network, etc.). I am a Manga fan, but this movie (btw it is not an animation movie) has nothing to do with good manga films (Mononoke Hime etc.). Is there anything good I could say about this movie? Nope....
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