Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.

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.

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.

After being kissed by a kabuki master, Harry Griswold (police detective) transforms into the superhero Kabukiman. Harnessing his new kabuki powers, he faces corrupt businessmen, drug-dealing ministers... and must prevent the monkey from riding the jaguar.

I first watched this film years (2000?) ago at my friend Jason's apartment and loved it, as I love all Troma releases. Today I watched it for the second time after picking up the DVD at Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors in Chicago 2007 from the director himself, Lloyd Kaufman. The movie was everything I remembered it being and more.

The humor is cheesy and full of bad puns, the acting is decent but not Oscar-worthy, and some scenes are just not politically correct (though by far much less gross than any other Troma movie ever made). We get the first instance of the legendary car crash scene and some good fights. Heck, even the flying special effect is tolerable. Though after seeing "Puma Man" pretty much all flying scenes are tolerable.

Troma is known for their anti-capitalism views, and it shows here (though more subtle than in "Troma's War" or "Terror Firmer"). I mean, the villains are a business tycoon and a reverend! This is a strength for the films, I feel, because it really helps the target audience rally around the hero. If you're watching these films and enjoying them, clearly you like independent films, which makes you a natural for being opposed to huge organizations. Or maybe it's just me.

So, yes. Cheesy plot and acting. A little gore (but not too much). Some bare breasts for no good reason. It's everything you expect from Troma, though more tame and with a little more plot. You really ought to see "Toxic Avenger" first, but if you like that one, this is a great follow-up.

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.

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.