Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. (1990) Reviews

• Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.: Really?!

  Platypuschow2018-11-24

  I hadn't heard of Sgt Kabukiman until I saw the last Toxic Avenger film, I found the character to be a tad creepy and was glad he wasn't in it more. Years before however he had his own film, and it was bound to be poor. How could a movie called Sgt.Kabukiman possibly be good? Seriously? Well for a start the character here is hugely different from what they put into the The Toxic Avenger which seems a tad weird to me. Then again it's Troma, so consistency or anything even remotely resembling quality is bound to be absent. Here we see a mild mannered police officer given super powers and..........sorry, I can't do it. The concept is so daft, so ridiculous that I'm pretty sure I'd lose brain cells just trying to explain it. One notable thing is how tame the movie is compared to most Troma releases. Sure it has some gore, sex and plenty of boobs but by comparison it's positively PG. As you'd imagine the whole thing is plain silly, I think that Troma is certainly niche and for a special kind of viewer. Clearly there are plenty of them considering how many decades the company has survived. I don't see the appeal, I doubt I ever will and if I were then it wouldn't be a character like Sgt Kabukiman that would be able to change my mind. The Good: Points for originality The Bad: Stupid beyond belief Things I Learnt From This Movie: Gunthers love is no picnic The words spandex jogging shorts have a supernatural power over men If I didn't have such a strong moral code I'd open a church and whip out the tithe tray I want a monkey butler! You have the right to an attorney OR an undertaker

• One Of Troma's Best

  Crap_Connoisseur2006-03-28

  Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD is one of my favourite Troma movies. In fact, it's one of my favourite cult movies - full stop. Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz really hit a home run with this opus. Rarely have either of these great men been responsible for something so lovingly crafted or effortlessly winning. In my opinion, Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD proves once and for all that Kaufman and Herz are highly skilled filmmakers, not the hacks they promote themselves to be. These men should be feted at film festivals around the world as film gods instead of being reduced to approaching perverts in public toilets for funding. This film is extremely accomplished. The direction is stylish, the pacing is brisk and the action sequences are well staged. Moreover, the film is startlingly original, seamlessly blending action, fantasy, horror, comedy and kabuki. The quality that sets Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD apart from many Troma films for me is its sense of whimsy and good natured humour. This is possibly the funniest movie Kaufman and Herz have ever made. Much of this is due to Rick Gianasi. Gianasi is by no means a great actor, but his charismatic yet clueless persona is perfect for the role of Harry/Kabukiman. Harry's transformation into Kabukiman and his encounters with Reginald's henchmen are hilarious and visually impressive. It takes a unique mind to come up with death by chopsticks and sushi paper. The special effects are great, with the emphasis being placed more on humour than gore. The scene in which Kabukiman is flattened by a truck never ceases to make me laugh. Kaufman and Herz not only created a great hero in Kabukiman, but also an excellent sidekick in Lotus. Susan Byun plays the role with a po-faced sincerity that is hysterical. I also found the romance between Kabukiman and Lotus strangely endearing. Forget those losers balancing on the end of the boat in "Titanic", the most romantic moment in cinema history is Kabukiman flying over New York City with Lotus on his back (that is before he gets airsick and hurls). The flying scenes deserve a special mention, this is the kind of B-grade special effect that got me hooked on cult movies for life. Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD is a very special film, which I would recommend to anyone. Cult movies have rarely been so original, entertaining and lacking in pretension. It is surely time for Lloyd to start pimping out Mr Herz in order to raise funds for the sequel.

• Kabuki-man san!!!

  bjerho2002-03-29

  Harry Griswold is a clumsy New York cop who one night decides to go to the theater and watch Kabuki. Suddenly guys with machineguns start shooting at the actors on stage and kills the oldest Kabuki-actor. Harry draws his gun and shield and start shooting at them. When he gets up on the stage, the dying elder Kabuki-actor grabs him and gives him a sloppy kiss. When he does that, he transfers the old Kabuki-spirit to Harry. This is where his problems begin. The old mans daughter, Lotus must now teach him to master his Kabuki-powers to stop the evil one from ruling the earth. This is the best Troma-movie that I have ever seen. Lloyd Kaufman is one of the coolest directors ever. Funny, violent and silly. It's full of make-up, kimonos, blood, worms and crazy villains. It also has a funny soundtrack. I saw it on the new DVD-release which has a lot of extra features. If you love Troma-movies you will love this one. I give it a 10/10.

• Quite, quite brilliant

  James Raynor2002-06-05

  I was very surprised by this flick. The first Troma flick I saw was Terror Firmer, which was just wall to wall sex and violence. Not that that's a bad thing. With Kabukiman, however, the sex and gore is reduced considerably, and a lot of the humour is quite witty ("Nice dissolve, huh?"), with only a bit of gratuitous nudity(If it wasn't for the attempted rape bit this film could've got away with a 12 rating) and cartoon violence. I really enjoyed this movie, and it definitely makes my all time favourite list.

• Joeseph Campbell-esque metaphor on Society: A Smash of a Hit!

  cliffking2004-08-09

  There are few artistic achievements that our race as a whole have produced, especially in the field of motion picture, that truly resonate within our psyche, leaving us profoundly altered. This film, Sgt. Kabuki Man, NYPD, is one of those achievements. It is a pure lancet of truth and hope that slices through the gossamar chains of society's current state of disrepair, a beacon in the fog for lost souls to reclaim there lives. Using the classic Joeseph Campbell idea of 'hero' and 'quest', this novel script shows that anyone, even one as societally dominated and oppressed as the protagonist Harry Griswold, possess the ability to totally revamp their lives into something meaningful and worthwhile. And indeed, it is the brilliantly woven script (by freshman writer Robert Koffey) that keeps the plot taunt and titillating, steeped in rich metaphors and symbolism. For example, during the initial kabuki transformation sequence after the goons have shot up the theater and the explosions have gone off, the main character can be seen frenching an old guy and then eating some worms. This is a perfect microcosm for the greater ideas that directors Michael Hurtz and Lloyd Kaufman feel we need to come to grips with in our own lives- suffer embarrassment and pain to feel redemption. Thank you, noble angels. I only hope your genius-work finds a receptive audience in the vapid teenage wasteland of suburban America.