User reviews

This movie is quite an entertaining little romp if you watch it with an open mind. It's full of interesting gadgets, lots of weapons, explosions, monsters, stop-motion, talking computers, Japanese babes, etc. The plot concerns an intergalatic bounty hunter, played by the beautiful Yuko Moriyama, who tracks down an unstoppable alien killing machine named Zeiram. The plot also throws in two male comedy foils, although Yuko could easily carry the film on her own. There's lot of action, some of it hand to hand (it's always a treat to see women fighting) and some of it with hi-tech guns and such. While this is isn't a perfect movie, it's a good way to spend an evening...cool-looking monsters, kickboxing babes, explosions...what more can one ask for.

In the stylized tradition of 1950s Japanese monster movies and the current, popular trendy pastiche of modern Anime comes a fantastic futuristic adventure. Zeram is basically an enormous giant renegade space alien who has done quite a lot of damage aboard on other planets.

Now, Zeram has been lured to Planet Earth, with so many victims at its disposal. The only souls who can abolish this demonic presence are a female space bounty hunter, Ilya (Yuko Moriyama), from Planet Mays, and her highly intelligent albeit obstinate computer, Bob. The two have planned a trap for Zeram, and the showdown will take place in a take-no-prisoners setting inside "The Zone," a virtual reality type environment that is uninhabited, and totally unreal...

The odds are in favor of Zeram, and to make matters a lot more unbearable, two goofballs from an electric company (Yukihiro Hotaru and Kunihiko Ida), have managed to slip by... One of these employees is a Leslie Cheung lookalike. Anyway, Ilya feels very uncomfortable at this moment as the two bumbling clowns serve as the most inconvenient supplements right now...

The battlefield is set. Ilya is armed with a cool warp machine that can travel both dimensions, from the Zone to the Real World. She has a powerful space bazooka, body armor, an electric shield for protection, and plenty of agile moves to knock Zeram off into oblivion! Zeram however has: Mutant dwarves, a bulletproof armor, lasers, servants, and a miniature face within its head that serves as his primary weapon for mass destruction. He eats organic matter, and creates his own army of deformed freaks! Zeram is a grotesque creature, resembling that of a disfigured statue. Every time Zeram is apparently destroyed...he keeps regenerating, looking more disgusting every time... This creature can morph from a slow-moving juggernaut...to a slick moving spider... Zeram and Ilya are at the final match tonight...with the fate of the world hanging in the balance...

ZERAM (The film's original Japanese title is ZEIRAMU.) is an OK flick. Some decorative special effects, machinery, and lots of explosions aggrandize the film. The film is orchestrated with dazzling FX and imagery. The stop motion effects are remarkable as well. Still, despite the flamboyant technology and some rather impressive effects of its kind, the film is unfortunately waived thanks to a lack of invention and a excruciatingly plodding pace. The comedy in this film is extremely lame as well. The acute action and good martial arts skills in this movie are a plus. The gory introduction with people being literally blown away also serves as among the best highlights in this average sci-fi journey.

Even though the flashy visuals are accompanied throughout most of this movie, the film is still, amazingly lifeless and boring. ZERAM takes too long to begin picking up the pace, and although the film runs for only 90 minutes long, the movie drags so consistently that it feels like the feature is going on forever. A fastidious misfire, due to its tepid direction which is short on vigor. Also, by the end, we are very much unclear about the origin of Zeram...and we no longer give either...

This movie's uneven pace is its biggest liability. If that was not there, this movie would have been very much enjoyable and entertaining, assisted with some raw comedy. Still, there's an acceptable premise, but the movie moves way too slowly! Lighting effects, tangible technological materials, and a good musical score orchestrated just BARELY save ZERAM from sinking under its own weight...

RATING: ** out of ****.

This one definitely fits in the category of guilty pleasures.

Basically, it's about a beautiful female bounty hunter from another planet named Ilya who comes to Earth to stop an evil alien monster named Zeram that has also come here to avoid capture. She and her computer (creatively named Bob) create an alternate dimension that she sends Zeram into in order to fight it without hurting anybody (if an innocent person gets killed, you see, she and Bob lose their bounty hunting licenses). However, a couple of dorky guys from Earth manage to travel to the dimension with her, and so she must not only defeat the monster but protect them. And that's pretty much it- this has one of the simplest plots I've ever seen, but it's an entertaining movie nonetheless- the action is cheesy but fun, and there's plenty of it, with the typical low-budget sci-fi f/x. Ilya is played by a very good looking actress, and her character is something of a cross between Boba Fett and Xena Warrior Princess. And thankfully, the two "comic relief" characters don't get too annoying, as is often the case in action movies that come out of Asia. It's nothing special, but this movie does deliver, so check it out if you get a chance.

An awesome action film about Iria a female bounty hunter after a nearly invulnerable galactic criminal, tough as the 'Terminator' but without the time travel. There's humor from the earth born assistants and Bob the heroine's computer assistant and plenty of action from Zeram//aka Zeiramu and his arsenal of biological organic weaponry! I have to look for it every couple of years since it's appearance in 1991. I still have the hots for Yuko Moriyama "Iria"! Just found out there is a part 2 at Stagevu, I hope that it's as good or better than the first! You should not be disappointed in this film although the effects are not 1st class but not too low budget either. If I say anymore I'll be telling you the story, trust me its a must see for scifi action lover's.

Apart from the dorky telephone repairmen everything in this movie is done perfectly. The monster is the coolest ever, and the kickboxing female bounty hunter is a great hero.

Visually stunning despite the sometimes immature tone.

I see the last review of this movie was 7 years ago so i wanted to give a review as it would be a shame for this movie to be overlooked i haven't watched the original anime this movie is based on but on its on merit the movie is fun and stylish , good atmosphere and competent acting its a solid action scfi

When I was first starting out watching Japanese cinema, mainly anime (Japanese Animation) I happened to fall upon this title. Zeiram is one of my favorite sci-fi movies, right up their with Aliens. This film starts off with stunning visuals and ends up being a total knockout movie. Zeiram (Japanese title: Zeiramu) is well put together, and so is the dubbing of the film. If you don't speak Japanese, don't worry; you can go rent or buy the VHS copy of the film at a local video store & enjoy it in English! Overall, I would rate this film: 9 1/2 out of 10!

A visually stunning film full of extravagant monsters and dazzling special effects. Director Keita Amemiya definitely has a flair for this kind of stylistic filmmaking and the film looks great, although the pacing could be tightened up a bit. What sets the film apart from so many others is the conviction and no-nonsense portrayal of the main character (Iria) by actress Yuko Moriyama. She offsets the otherwise campy tone of the film and lends it some credibility. Worth checking out if you're interested in a fun no-brainer sci-fi adventure stocked with girls, guns, gadgets, and monsters.

When this Japanese sci-fi monster-action -comedy first reached the US, it very nearly developed a cult following. That it didn't probably had to do with the widespread distribution of anime, Japanese sci-fi fantasy thriller cartoons intended largely for adults.

The manga-anime phenomenon has disturbed me ever since I first bumped into it in 1973. back then, Japanese cartoons had absolutely no stylistics variance whatsoever. Ever face by every artist looked exactly same, the stories all followed the same formulae, regardless of writer - to be fair, there was a cultural ethic at work in this - at the time, many Japanese actually felt that individualistic styles projected a kind of arrogance. It wasn't until about 1990, with a whole new generation of Japanese artists, heavily influenced by material from America, that individual differences and variations became first tolerate, and then admired. Still, even today these differences and variations occur within very restrictive limits. And, perhaps not surprisingly, the more individualistic the artist's style, the more violent and offensive the material presented - to have an individualistic style is still recognized, to some extent, as transgressive and rebellious. However, the curious thing now, is why many Americans - from whom the Japanese learned to be rebellious - have grown attached to the variation-less similitude of traditional manga.

It is well to bear this in mind when approaching Zeram. The film - not animated by the way, and employing surprising little CGI - is a curious blend of sameness and difference. The female alien bounty-hunter who is the real hero of the film is actually derived from a fairly well-known manga type; unlike her cartoon sisters however, she has a real sense of humor, and her strength is not portrayed as in conflict with her femininity, but a part of it.

Her Earthling sidekicks are also remarkably different from the usual dumb-earthling sidekicks of the common manga. They fumble and bumble their way into the story, but they have their own kind of intelligence and their own kind of bravery - enough so that these contribute to the film's finale in a decisive manner.

But if there is offensive transgression to be found here, it certainly involves the title character. As rubber-monsters go, she is extremely violent. this sort of violence has become quite typical for manga (and one reason Japanese comics are not for kids); but most manga monsters are overtly sadistic, usually laughing when their victims suffer. Zeram is really a ruthless, but emotionless, unstoppable force. One can easily be shocked and disgusted with her, but one can't really feel any hatred or pity. despite the organic matter used in her construction, she is pure machine, with one function - the destruction of everything in her path that lives. Which is exactly why our unlikely team of heroes really need to have a sense of humor. Their situation would be unbearable if they didn't.

After an ultra-violent pre-credit sequence, the first 15 minutes of the film are a little dull, but that's because, unlike manga and manga-influenced action films, our heroes here have real personalities to be developed. Part of what will decide whether or not the viewer likes the film is whether the viewer likes these people, and I confess I do.

The film depends a lot upon - and is served well by - its editing and its soundtrack. There are also a couple of truly disturbing moments when the film forces us to confront the question of what it might really mean to be 'organic', i.e., human. And the bounty hunter has a computer-assistant with a dry slacker-like sense of humor ("yeah, whatever").

Over all, sci-fi entertainment beyond the usual from Japan.

PS: there is a sequel out, but it's pretty much like sequels everywhere; I do not recommend it.

Zeram is a very good movie that shows that dubbed movies can be fun and exciting in a good way. The movie has good special effects that will surprize you at first then jump out and get you. The creatures are amazing in this film.

The most state-of-the-art computer generated imagery will always look worse the more we see of it and the more it's relied upon, and will always appear outdated within a matter of years. Employed far more sparingly as embellishing additions, as in sci-fi films of the 70s, 80s, and early 90s, the usage remains fetching and delightful even if they're not up to subsequent modern standards. In contrast, practical effects, physical stunts and choreography, fabricated props and creatures, and tangible creations of all sorts will always, always be preferred, and always look better and hold up better, than any CGI. The stop-motion animation of 1933's 'King Kong' is a big part of why it remains, over ninety years later, the superior iteration of the ape's screen appearances; the grit, dirt, and real moving parts of sets and creatures in the first three 'Star Wars' pictures is a big part of why they remain the most highly celebrated installments of an enormous franchise. In a like manner, it is all these considerations which went into the sci-fi action of 'Zeiram' that makes it marvelously entertaining more than thirty years later. Just based on the premise I assumed I'd enjoy it, and boy, do I! In fact, I think it's an absolute blast!

That visual presentation is simply a joy in every capacity, filled with splendid detail, texture, and imagination. Gnarly creatures, fanciful weapons and props, colorful costume design, nice filming locations, rich or even otherworldly sets, terrific painted backdrops, smart use of lighting and environmental effects, and so on are all the order of the day in these ninety-seven minutes. I dare say the judicious use of post-production digital wizardry actually looks pretty darn great for 1991, and to my utter pleasure we even get stop-motion animation! The action sequences really are a lot of exciting fun, and the touches of comedy that round out the feature are lightly peppered in such that they never supersede the darker sci-fi action vibes - or the slivers of horror that come with creepy creature designs - and remain well in balance with them. To that point, I'm so very pleased with the story that filmmaker Amemiya Keita and co-writer Matsumoto Hajime have given us. The tale kind of recalls John Carpenter's 'Big trouble in Little China,' or the 1993 'Super Mario Bros.' movie, as two ordinary electricians accidentally get involved in an extraterrestrial, extradimensional fight between a bounty hunter and her deadly target. At its core that narrative may be fairly simple, but clever, bountiful, often genuinely horrifying minutiae were conceived to fill that narrative and the scene writing all the way through, in turn giving us a feast for the eyes as those behind the scenes worked overtime to bring it all to fantastic, vibrant life.

Ida Kunihiro and Hotaru Yukijiro are excellent in their roles as regular tradesmen Teppei and Kamiya, deftly navigating the space between initial wide-eyed shock, intermittent goofy antics, and serious effort at rising to the challenge and combating a dangerous foe. Even though bounty hunter Iria isn't always front and center, one way or another Moriyama Yuko ably meets the demands of physicality and poise that come with the sobriety of a fearsome professional. Between bits of humor, cold hard action, and a few quieter moments to round out the edges, the cast give unexpectedly sharp, spirited performances that mesh neatly with the superb spectacle and blend of genres to which we're otherwise treated. All this is very much a credit as well to director Amemiya, capably mixing all the odds and ends together and forming the amalgamation into a fabulously absorbing, highly enjoyable, and surprisingly thrilling and intoxicating title. This is to say nothing of Ohta Koichi's flavorful music, crisp sound, keen cinematography and editing, or even the swell hair and makeup. And still, for all that, it bears repeating that the writing and direction are more shrewd that we may commonly anticipate of such fare as they lay the groundwork for the visions to greet us. And once more for emphasis: the creature designs are truly outstanding. Carpenter, David Cronenberg, Stan Winston, Rick Baker, Phil Tippett, and all others who operate in the realm of fantasy, sci-fi, and horror would be very proud of what the effects artists created here. I know I am, and even if nothing else about this would be deserving, I think it necessitates viewership for the effects alone.

I sat to watch with expectations of a good time, but one more likely to be a low-grade B-movie. I'm rather taken aback by just how much undeniable skill, intelligence, and care went into this film. If ever there's a moment where it seems the presentation goes a hair too far, or not far enough, it's frankly negligible, and the end result is far, far more worthy than I'd have ever supposed. As far as I'm concerned 'Zeiram' is tremendous, and whether you're a fan of the genres or similar effects-laden bonanzas, or just looking for something to pass the time, I'm happy to give this my high and enthusiastic recommendation!

This movie is awesome. I've watched the prequel animated series based on this movie titled "Iria : Zeiram The Animation" that is brilliant but I prefer the live action film. The story, development of characters and special effects are perfectly executed with a terrific soundtrack to bring it all together. I really would like to see Iria battle The Guyver Dark Hero my other favourite live action anime character. Thank you.

I have always had a soft spot for anime-esque films. Zeram was both entertaining and indulging. I have no idea what the budget of this well produced film was, but the initial battle scene between Iria and Zeram was staggering. Those who appreciated the Kryptonian battle in 'Superman 2' will love this piece of cinematography. Kuddos.

Zeram's plotline is simple, the actors are fun to watch, and the action is a blast, the villain is more elemental than 'evil'. What else does the action-adventure viewer expect?

Thumbs way up.