"Helldriver" Blu-Ray Review - Written by Anthony T

Helldriver
Director: Yoshihiro Nishimura
Stars: Yimiko Hara, Eihi Shiina
Studio: Well-Go USA Entertainment
MPAA Ratting: Unrated
Running Time 117 Mins

Plot Synopsis:

“Helldriver” is the latest film from “Tokyo Gore Police” and Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl director Yoshihiro Nishimura. He’s also one of the director, who will participating in “The ABCs of Death” horror anthology film.
The film is about a mysterious mist that blankets the entire northern half of Japan, turning most of Japan’s residents into zombies that crave for human flesh. This turns the courtry of Japan into a country of chaos, as a wall separates the living from the flesh craving zombies. The only person that can help the country a high school girl (Yimiko Hara) with a chainsaw sword that is powered from her own artificial heart. Now, she leads an army of mercenaries on a mission to get rid of the zombie queen (Eihi Shiina) and put an end to all the zombies.

Film Review:
"Helldriver" is one of those films that entertains you, even though the action get crazy at times. Co-Writer and directed by Yoshihiro Nishimura does a very job making the film entertaining through his direction. One of the things that makes this good, the handling of the gore effects. There is tons of blood used for this film. He uses them, in a way that you feel like the blood is directly hitting you. It adds to all the chaotic violence that goes on. The pace of the film is also what this a fun film. Nishimura directs the action at a fast pace that leads to some very good set pieces. He makes the pace action so fast that it makes the action and sequences work. It’s something that a fan of Japanese horror will enjoy.

The screenplay written by Nishimura and writer Daichi Nagsia is one that doesn't lack creativity. One of the things that makes this screenplay work, the way that created the zombies. These weren't your run of the mill that your accustomed to seeing on the screen. The writers do a good job giving them dialogue and various weapons that they use. It makes them different and have a personality to them. This film is supposed to be fun and not serious. The other thing that they do well, there were subplots and backstory to some of these characters. By doing that, it makes the characters interesting to the point that you want to follow them. Most Japanese horror films aren't usually taken seriously, but this film provides insight to some of the characters. That's what makes the characters and the screenplay work.

Blu-Ray Extras:

First on the disc is "Sushi Typhoon Invades Tokyo". The twenty two minutes goes into the first four films that the studio "Sushi Typhoon” is putting out into the film market. It has interviews from some of the stars of those films, but it more of a promotional featurette for upcoming DVD and Blu- Ray Releases. Next on the disc is three short films. “Helldriver Dokata” “Catch Me if You Can” and “Bailout!”. All three film were good with the first two films fitting very well within the "Helldriver" universe and while the third one uses the universe as the background and the tone is different. After that, the disc wraps up with a brief director's introduction of the film, official trailer for “Helldriver” and more trailers for other Sushi Typhoon releases.
The problem with this package was, there were hardly any interviews from the cast. I wished they had information on the production of the film, as that’s lacking on this disc.

Final Summary:

I had a fun time watching “Helldriver”, as the film is very entertaining with out of control action. I just wished, the disc would have provided information on the production of the film.

Review Rating: Four Stars
Extras Rating: Two Stars