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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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    Featured reviews

    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
    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.
    James Raynor

    Quite, quite brilliant

    I was very surprised by this flick.

    The first Troma flick I saw was Terror Firmer, which was just wall to wall sex and violence. Not that that's a bad thing.

    With Kabukiman, however, the sex and gore is reduced considerably, and a lot of the humour is quite witty ("Nice dissolve, huh?"), with only a bit of gratuitous nudity(If it wasn't for the attempted rape bit this film could've got away with a 12 rating) and cartoon violence. I really enjoyed this movie, and it definitely makes my all time favourite list.
    7kevin_robbins

    Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD is a fun, brainless action comedy that's a blast if you know what to expect.

    I recently watched the Troma Entertainment classic Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD (1991) on Tubi. The storyline follows an NYPD officer who unexpectedly becomes the "good chosen one," aka Kabukiman. Meanwhile, a group of local crime lords is in the process of summoning the "bad chosen one." Can Kabukiman stop them, or will he be outmatched by his arch-nemesis?

    This film is co-directed by Michael Herz and Lloyd Kaufman, who also teamed up on The Toxic Avenger, and stars Rick Gianasi (Mutant Hunt), Susan Byun (Deadly Target), Bill Weeden (Psycho Ape), and Joe Fleishaker (Trashtastic).

    Like most Troma films, this is one where you need to shut your brain off and just enjoy the ride. Absolutely nothing in this movie is meant to be taken seriously-the acting, dialogue, and situations are completely over the top. The opening kill scene is hilarious, there are some wild shootouts, the park fight is amazing, and the clown chase is genuinely funny. I also enjoyed the use of tigers and the unique camera angles. There are several laugh-out-loud moments, and the narration and soundtrack fit the tone perfectly. Even the transformation scenes are surprisingly well done, and Susan Byun (Extramarital) is stunning.

    In conclusion, Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD is a fun, brainless action comedy that's a blast if you know what to expect. I'd rate it a 7/10 and strongly recommend it for those in the right mindset.

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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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