The story is fairly simple as corrupt, greedy, cruel officials meet with fates borne out by their own hubris. Inasmuch as there's more to it than that, the details really just come down to elucidation of the rottenness of the officials and their collaborators, and the nature of how they come to be removed as problems for the townspeople they victimize. It's worth observing that the most fantastical elements of the story are mostly reserved for the last fifth of the runtime, with only bits and pieces flavoring the proceedings before that. Still, the tale is compelling broadly, and where '100 monsters' does embrace the horror of scenario, those scenes are distinctly creepy in the way one would hope as death and madness take over. There is perhaps nothing so striking about this 1968 film as to demand viewership, and it's not the only Daiei production I've seen to struggle a little under a lumbering pace. When all is said and done, though, it's well worth watching on its own merits, and overall a solidly good time.
Setting aside the pacing, this is well made in every capacity. The sets and costume design are just as lovely as one would expect from most any period fare coming out of Japan, and the feature is very easy on the eyes, not least as the warm cinematography of Yasukazu Takemura brings out every detail with a soft yet crisp lens. The cast give admirable performances around commensurate with the material, and I find no fault in Kimiyoshi Yasuda's direction in orchestrating shots and scenes. Perhaps most importantly given the space in which 'Yokai monsters' plays, all the most intense elements of the production look outstanding as they come to bear, mostly within the last stretch. All the stunts and effects that are employed look really great, and the imagination poured into the design of the promised entities is matched only by the enthusiasm with which they were realized by the artists who created the costumes and props and the actors who played them. By and large the result is more "fun-scary" than "scary-scary," but it all comes off very well, and in its own manner provides the flavorful entertainment we anticipate.
Unless one is a major fan of Daiei, or the otherwise many monster flicks that Japan has produced over the years, there isn't necessarily a special reason to check this out. It's enjoyable, but not hugely striking, and it perhaps is not the most robustly invigorating or satisfying title one could watch. '100 monsters' is a classic that remains deserving on its own merits, however, and if one does have the opportunity to watch, this is a fine picture to check out for something comparatively light.
Setting aside the pacing, this is well made in every capacity. The sets and costume design are just as lovely as one would expect from most any period fare coming out of Japan, and the feature is very easy on the eyes, not least as the warm cinematography of Yasukazu Takemura brings out every detail with a soft yet crisp lens. The cast give admirable performances around commensurate with the material, and I find no fault in Kimiyoshi Yasuda's direction in orchestrating shots and scenes. Perhaps most importantly given the space in which 'Yokai monsters' plays, all the most intense elements of the production look outstanding as they come to bear, mostly within the last stretch. All the stunts and effects that are employed look really great, and the imagination poured into the design of the promised entities is matched only by the enthusiasm with which they were realized by the artists who created the costumes and props and the actors who played them. By and large the result is more "fun-scary" than "scary-scary," but it all comes off very well, and in its own manner provides the flavorful entertainment we anticipate.
Unless one is a major fan of Daiei, or the otherwise many monster flicks that Japan has produced over the years, there isn't necessarily a special reason to check this out. It's enjoyable, but not hugely striking, and it perhaps is not the most robustly invigorating or satisfying title one could watch. '100 monsters' is a classic that remains deserving on its own merits, however, and if one does have the opportunity to watch, this is a fine picture to check out for something comparatively light.