Kitaro And The Millennium Curse

Introduction

It's only been a couple of months since the first Kitaro film came to the UK, and already we have the second one to enjoy, just in time for Christmas. Actually it's a little late for Christmas, coming out along with the Kitaro movie twin pack on the 28th of December. But it's the thought that counts. I wasn't too enamoured of the first Kitaro movie, a family film that played to the youngest members of the audience, full of bright, primary colours, and prolific use of bright and shiny CGI. The story was also a little disjointed and unsatisfying, but Kitaro is a fan favourite of long standing in Japan, and audiences there were satisfied enough to justify a sequel. Maybe it can deliver what was lacking in the original movie.

Kitaro is a handsome young man of a ghost, who unlike his peers is fond of humans, and often chooses to help them when they are plagued by ghosts and spirits, giving the mischievous sprites a harsh talking down to, and making them see the error of their ways. His father, a talking eyeball, his friend Catgirl, as well as Crybaby and Sand Witch aid him in his endeavours. There is also dubious assistance from the flatulent and odious Ratman, who is more liable to line his own pockets than help the needy.


There is a legend of the Song of Kagome. If it's heard during a rainy night, then the person who heard it will lose their soul and die within two days. When a young musician named Kaede hears the song, she needs Kitaro's help to banish the evil spirit responsible before it is too late. Researching the problem, Kitaro learns of a 1000-year-old curse, of an evil yokai who has been drawing innocents to their deaths for centuries. It has been banished once before, but that required a counterspell performed with five magical instruments, instruments that are now hidden around Japan. But as Kitaro and his friends race against time to recover the necessary items to perform the rite, it becomes clear that there is another spirit working against them. Nurari has a long held grudge against the human race, and he plans something far more devastating and lethal than simply taking one young girl's soul.

Picture

Kitaro gets a 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer, but unlike the first film, bizarrely this one gets an NTSC-PAL standards conversion. All the ghosting and softness really does begin to tell after a while, especially as unlike the first film, this movie is a lot darker and spookier. Detail levels take a hit, and all in all, it's a comparative disappointment.

Of course, this being a film about spirits and bizarre supernatural creatures, you can expect a plethora of effects shots, and the film is full of practical effects, costumes and make up, as well as copious CGI creations. It's still for a family audience first and foremost, so excessive realism isn't the immediate aim. In fact most of the effects look cheap and cheerful, and the major issue here is that there hasn't been enough work done in marrying the CG effects to the live action sequences. In this respect it's very similar to the first film, despite the apparently higher budget.

Sound

You just get the standard DD 2.0 Stereo Japanese with the sequel, which is a shame given all the action and excitement that occurs. Still, give it a little Prologic magic and you do find yourself in a fairly vibrant and encompassing sound stage. The dialogue is clear and the subtitles are legible and error free.

Extras

The disc autoplays with the trailer for Kitaro, while the sequel's trailer can be selected from the main menu. The only other extra on this disc is a PDF file, 9 pages of production and film notes for both this and the first film, from anime-meister Jonathan Clements. It's only nine pages of text and imagery, and locking it away in a DVD-ROM section really isn't on. There's no reason that this information couldn't be accessible through a regular DVD player.

Conclusion

Kitaro and the Millennium Curse is just like its predecessor, in that it's full of cutesy, family friendly CGI demons and monsters that are sure to look more cuddly than scary. It's also like the first film in that the performances of the main cast aren't exactly going to challenge the annals of thespian achievement. Where it does differ is that the sequel has a singular, coherent and cohesive narrative. The first film fell apart for me in that it felt like a series of vignettes, loosely hanging together. The sequel never once loses touch of the Millennium Curse that is its story, and as such it's far more entertaining, involving and rewarding to watch. The sequel may be longer at a smidge under two hours, but it definitely feels the shorter film.


Another big and telling difference is that this Kitaro movie is a lot darker than the previous one, not only visually, but thematically as well. It's slightly grittier, edgier and dangerous, or it does look at times as if some of the characters may face some peril. It's not as soft and cuddly as the first film, but of course there has to be a price paid for the darker tone, and that is a 12 rating that probably takes this movie beyond its target audience. There are still cute and cuddly moments in this film that appeal to younger viewers, and you can't get away from that toilet humour that so permeates the screen when Ratman is on, and even once when he is absent. But one genuinely scary villain, and a couple of worrisome moments of violence probably did for the age rating, although were this a Hollywood production, it probably would have sneaked a PG.


As is often the case in these films, the main theme is one of conflict between human progress and the spirit realm, and as we begin the film, Kitaro himself is somewhat disillusioned by humanity, despite his mission to help them. The curse that afflicts innocent young Kaede was originally motivated by an act of betrayal by humans against a spirit, and Kaede herself becomes a sort of proxy for humanity's guilt, and she slowly comes to the conclusion over the length of the film that she needs to expiate that guilt. In that respect, Kitaro and Kaede start at opposite ends of the spectrum, and slowly come together as the film progresses. It's a far more satisfying and natural a character progression than in the first film. Also, the big bad villain of the piece has amassed a whole heap of anger against humanity, after thousands of years of cheating, lying, backstabbing, people being mean to each other, mean to the spirits, mean to nature, and just generally being human. Nurari's vengeance is deeply tied into the film's message.


Of course you forget all that when presented with a film that still plays to the younger audiences and the lowest common denominator. Ratman is still his flatulent self, defeating all enemies by simple expedience of breaking wind, and this film also introduces a demonic antagonist that attacks its foes by firing its faeces at them.


Kitaro and the Millennium Curse is a mixture of the absurd, the ridiculous and the meaningful, which in the grand scheme of things makes this an enjoyable but somewhat frivolous two hours. It's scarier than the first film, which can only be a good thing, and the story is a lot more satisfying. If you are going to buy one Kitaro film this year, make it this one. But with a Kitaro movie twin pack out the same day as this film, you might as well try both.