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Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.

  • 1990
  • PG-13
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
3.6K
YOUR RATING
Rick Gianasi in Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. (1990)
Home Video Trailer from Troma
Play trailer3:37
1 Video
60 Photos
SatireSlapstickSuperheroActionComedyCrimeFantasyThriller

A streetwise New York police officer transforms into the world's most unusual superhuman hero.A streetwise New York police officer transforms into the world's most unusual superhuman hero.A streetwise New York police officer transforms into the world's most unusual superhuman hero.

  • Directors
    • Michael Herz
    • Lloyd Kaufman
  • Writers
    • Lloyd Kaufman
    • Andrew Osborne
    • Jeffrey W. Sass
  • Stars
    • Rick Gianasi
    • Susan Byun
    • Bill Weeden
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.7/10
    3.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Michael Herz
      • Lloyd Kaufman
    • Writers
      • Lloyd Kaufman
      • Andrew Osborne
      • Jeffrey W. Sass
    • Stars
      • Rick Gianasi
      • Susan Byun
      • Bill Weeden
    • 29User reviews
    • 46Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.
    Trailer 3:37
    Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.

    Photos60

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    + 54
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Rick Gianasi
    • Harry Griswold…
    Susan Byun
    • Lotus
    Bill Weeden
    Bill Weeden
    • Reginald Stuart
    Thomas Crnkovich
    • Rembrandt
    Larry Robinson
    • Rev. Snipes
    Noble Lee Lester
    • Capt. Bender
    Brick Bronsky
    • Jughead
    Pamela Alster
    • Connie LaRosa
    Shaler McClure
    • Felicia
    Jeff Wineshmutz
    • Hernandez
    Joe Fleishaker
    Joe Fleishaker
    • Josephs
    Fumio Furuya
    • Sato
    Masahiro Yamaguchi
    • Ichiro
    Traci Mann
    • Ichiro's Wife
    The Blonde Fox
    • Waitress
    Herbert L. Becker
    • Mr. Goldberg
    • (as Herbert Becker)
    Andrew Osborne
    • Ford
    Rick Collins
    Rick Collins
    • Interviewer
    • Directors
      • Michael Herz
      • Lloyd Kaufman
    • Writers
      • Lloyd Kaufman
      • Andrew Osborne
      • Jeffrey W. Sass
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews29

    5.73.5K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    cliffking

    Joeseph Campbell-esque metaphor on Society: A Smash of a Hit!

    There are few artistic achievements that our race as a whole have produced, especially in the field of motion picture, that truly resonate within our psyche, leaving us profoundly altered. This film, Sgt. Kabuki Man, NYPD, is one of those achievements. It is a pure lancet of truth and hope that slices through the gossamar chains of society's current state of disrepair, a beacon in the fog for lost souls to reclaim there lives. Using the classic Joeseph Campbell idea of 'hero' and 'quest', this novel script shows that anyone, even one as societally dominated and oppressed as the protagonist Harry Griswold, possess the ability to totally revamp their lives into something meaningful and worthwhile. And indeed, it is the brilliantly woven script (by freshman writer Robert Koffey) that keeps the plot taunt and titillating, steeped in rich metaphors and symbolism. For example, during the initial kabuki transformation sequence after the goons have shot up the theater and the explosions have gone off, the main character can be seen frenching an old guy and then eating some worms. This is a perfect microcosm for the greater ideas that directors Michael Hurtz and Lloyd Kaufman feel we need to come to grips with in our own lives- suffer embarrassment and pain to feel redemption. Thank you, noble angels. I only hope your genius-work finds a receptive audience in the vapid teenage wasteland of suburban America.
    5medrjel

    SUPRISINGLY FUN

    OK. This is not great cinema. This is not what you would define as a classic.

    But for a B movie, it is A+

    Like Toxie (The Toxic Adventure), Troma has once again created a character that is likeable and fun, yet this one is a bit of a jerk too. Still, I think that's what's so endearing about the character.

    Basically, A bumbling cop accidentally receives the powers of the Kabuki, and has to fight "The Evil One". Lots of silliness. A bit of Troma trademark unneeded nudity (they love showing breasts whenever they can) and some worm eating. Get rid of that part, and it could be a fun series, and I would love to see a series of this. I think it's designed for a short-run TV series that would quickly develop a cult following. The character lends itself to short stories very well. Perhaps a Saturday Morning cartoon (like Toxie did).

    Again, it's not great cinema, but it's a silly ride.
    6eyesofsociety

    played out

    the problem with this movie was that some of the same sort of funny things done in the movie got old. yeah they were funny at first but then after a while it got to be old. i'm sure this would have been a great comedy movie if it was just shortened 25 to 50%. i give it 6/10
    7Elvis-Del-Valle

    Another bizarre and promising Troma cartoon made with real people

    After The Toxic Avenger trilogy, Troma presents this comedy with a new superhero that parodies elements of kabuki and Japanese culture. Sgt. Kabukiman is a bizarre fun that has the cartoonish humor of Troma. The film is an authentic cartoon made with real humans that offers several delirious and nonsensical moments that seek to make the viewer laugh. Like The Toxic Avenger, the concept is a parody of superhero cinema and what it offers is something that does not seek to be taken seriously. Like many Troma films, this film has no good acting, no solid script, no character development, and everything is nonsense. It's a comedy that delivers guaranteed laughs and manages to do that without the need to be an excellent movie. That makes it an enjoyable film to watch and Kabukiman has already become an iconic character along with Toxie. The soundtrack has its interesting side as it is based on the opera Madame Butterfly and the Kabukiman song is unforgettable. Perhaps the battle with the evil being should have been more hesitant because the design of that creature is out of this world. Sgt. Kabukiman is another of Troma's bizarre films that promises laughter and guaranteed entertainment. My final rating for this movie is a 7/10.
    7ambassadorforhugs

    One of Troma's best if not THE best.

    It's been a while since I've seen this film but I still remember that it is a good laugh. Really silly with poor acting but that's what Troma is all about. Like all Troma films it's the bad acting and stupid ott stories that make them so good. Okay some of them are just plain bad, but this definitely isn't one. The Kabuki costume looks amazing and I love the way Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD looks. The cartoon style humour is wonderfully done and this film really appeals to my sense of humour. It's even got a kick ass title song to go with it.

    I was over the moon when I found out there might be a sequel coming out soon. I know sequels are rarely as good as or better than the the first film and often much worse but I really hope I get to see this sequel. It's just a shame Troma films are never shown in cinemas over here. Long live Troma.

    A 7/10 for this film. Tempted to give it 8. Maybe I'll change my rating later on if I see the film again.

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    Related interests

    Peter Sellers in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
    Satire
    Leslie Nielsen in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
    Slapstick
    Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, and Chris Hemsworth
    Superhero
    Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988)
    Action
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
    Fantasy
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Another Troma film, The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie (1989), is playing at the cinema near the beginning of the film.
    • Goofs
      Before the naked wife gets thrown out the window, it is plain glass. However in a close up of her getting launched out the window, it's now a colonial window. In another shot, the window's back to being a plain one again.
    • Quotes

      Jughead: Who are you?

      Sergeant Kabukiman: [looks into camera, then back at Jughead] I'm Kabukiman.

      [reference to the 1989 version of Batman]

    • Crazy credits
      All Rights Reserved; All Lefts Made From Far Lane
    • Alternate versions
      Available in both a PG-13 version and an unrated "director's cut."
    • Connections
      Edited into Tromeo and Juliet (1996)
    • Soundtracks
      Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. Theme Song
      Composed by Dan Skye and Paul Short

      Chris Carroll - Guitars, Jeff Baron - Drums

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    FAQ18

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 2, 1991 (Japan)
    • Countries of origin
      • Japan
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Troma
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Сержант Кабукимен из нью-йоркской полиции
    • Filming locations
      • New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Namco Tales Studio Ltd.
      • Gaga
      • Filosophia
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,500,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 45m(105 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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