Great Japanese pulp from director Hideo Tanaka is a fetishized fantasy about a bunch of Japanese schoolgirls who are recruited by a secret government organization to fight crime. The girls, who are ultra-cute and studious, are whisked off to an island where juvenile delinquents are being trained as terrorists. The girls' mission is to take down the island's leader and return the wayward youth to their parents. On paper, it is all highly improbable, but on the screen, it is scorchingly good. The use of steel yo-yo's by the girls is lots of fun and surprisingly bloody, as are the many violent confrontations and scenes of mortal menace. The film's tone is reminiscent of Bava's "Danger Diabolik" at times, but this is nastier and less campy overall. Like the excellent "Rapeman" series, the makers of this wonderful concoction know that insane subject matter must be approached totally seriously in order for it to travel. Breezy, violent, sexy and sentimental, this is totally original, peerless movie-making with hot schoolgirls. What could be better?
Review of Sukeban deka
Sukeban deka
(1987)
Totally original, fetishized action fantasy with hot schoolgirls
30 January 2006
Warning: Spoilers