Parasyte - Movie Collection (Kiseijuu) (2015)

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     In condensing a 10 volume manga into films running less than 4 hours (an amine of 24 episodes also based on the manga runs around 8 hours) it is obvious that parts of the original are omitted or changed. I know some fans of the manga have been unhappy with the film, labelling it “Parasyte for dummies” but, and with apologies to those fans, I was surprised, then enthralled and moved by the intelligence, themes, compassion, characters, drama, tragedy and wry humour of the two Parasyte films. Although some of the CGI is dodgy, the CGI Migi is funny and endearing and the ending hopeful. If you did not purchase the previously released individual titles, this rerelease is a chance to catch up with these tremendous sci-fi / horror films.

     The video has its moments, the audio is good. Trailers for each film are the only extras.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

Parasyte - Part 1 (Kiseijuu) (2014)

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General		Extras
Category	Action / Horror	Theatrical Trailer Trailer-More from Eastern Eye x 4
Rating
Year Of Production	2014
Running Time	104:34
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	Takashi Yamazaki
Studio Distributor	Madman Entertainment	Starring	Shota Sometani Eri Fukatsu Ai Hashimoto Masahiro Higashide Jun Kunimura
Case	Amaray-Transparent-Dual
RPI	?	Music	Naoki Sato

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	2.35:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio	2.35:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	English	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

     Humans are destroying the Earth through overpopulation, environmental degradation and greed; would the world be better off with fewer humans or even no humans at all so that other species can survive? Somebody, or something, thinks so and small insect like creatures called Parasites have appeared in Japan. They crawl into a human’s ear and attack and destroy the human brain; they inhabit the human body and it looks normal, at least until the parasite emerges from the head looking like a large, red/purple plant like creature to kill and eat another human, for the parasite needs humans as food to survive. Mutilated bodies start turning up all over the city but the Police can find no explanation for what is happening.

     One tiny parasite enters the house of student Shinichi Izumi (Shota Sometani) but as he is listening to music with his earphones on the parasite cannot enter his ear; instead it burrows into his hand. Shinichi is not sure what has happening; next day at school he seems to have no control over his hand, which shoots out to grope the breast of his girlfriend Satomi (Ai Hashimoto) which is embarrassing, to say the least! That night at home the parasite embedded in Shinichi’s hand reveals itself; having failed to reach Shinichi’s brain the two must co-exist for the parasite cannot now kill Shinichi without itself dying and Shinichi is not willing to cut off his arm. Shinichi names the parasite Migi, and a wary friendship starts to develop; Migi has a voracious need to learn about human kind, human experiences and emotions and so Shinichi helps. Shinichi also believes that he alone knows what is happening until a new science teacher, Ryoko Tamiya (Eri Fukatsu), arrives at his school. Parasites can sense other parasites and Migi quickly identifies Ryoko as a parasite; she also becomes aware of Shinichi and Migi. Ryoko has indeed been taken over by a parasite, but her mind has not been totally consumed. Ryoko is, moreover, the leader of a network of parasites and she is experimenting to try to find a way for parasites and humans to co-exist on the planet; for example, she tries to eat human food instead of humans and has become pregnant after having sex with another parasite in human body to determine if the baby will be a normal human and what it will be like to be a mother. Ryoko sees in the dual Shinichi/Migi a good subject to study to see how parasites and humans may indeed co-exist.

     Other parasites in human bodies are not so sure that this is the right approach; they have infiltrated the Police and one tries to kill Shinichi, destroying his heart. However, Migi manages to burrow within Shinichi’s body and heals his heart with his own cells with the result that their cells become intermingled; Shinichi becomes stronger and pragmatic, Migi more human! The Police, especially Detective Hirama (Jun Kunimura), and the public have started to become aware of the existence of the parasites, if only vaguely. Ryoko introduces Hideo Shimada (Masahiro Higashide) into the school as a student to watch Shinichi, but when Shimada is accidentally exposed as a parasite he goes on a killing spree in the art class; 13 female students are killed before Shinichi manages to save Satomi and kill Shimada. As this first film ends, Shinichi has realised that humanity is in danger and resolves to hunt down and kill all parasite. As well, on both sides, human and parasite, the ante has been upped by the introduction of new, more deadly, characters making co-existence very unlikely indeed.

     Parasyte – Part 1 is the first film of two live action films by director Takashi Yamazaki that are based on the popular 1990s manga by Hitoshi Iwaaki. This film was released in 2014 around the same time as an anime based on the manga, Parasyte: The Maxim, started showing on Japanese TV. I am not familiar with either the manga or the anime, so I can only review Parasyte – Part 1 on its own as a film.

     Parasyte – Part 1 is fabulous, intelligent, funny, sad, moving and tragic as well as very bloody and gory. Clearly, the destruction of the Planet by humans and the subsequent dilemma of our right to do so, or the right of some other species to stop us, is a huge subject but for the most part this remains in the background as the story focuses upon one young, confused, teen. Shinichi is an interesting character and is well played by Shota Sometani. I enjoyed his performance when I reviewed writer / director Sono Sion’s Himizu (2011) on this site and Sometani is again very good in Parasyte as a confused teen coming to terms with the presence of Migi; indeed some of the interaction between the two is very funny indeed. Eri Fukatsu is also very good as the controlled Ryoko, who perhaps has more humanity than she realises. The CGI in Parasyte is a mixed bag; Migi is amusing and engaging but the parasites emerging out of human heads looking somewhat like carnivorous plants could be better, although one needs to remember that this is not a huge budget Hollywood production so at least it is passable.

     Parasyte – Part 1, as the first of two films, is not complete and ends with the introduction of some new characters who will escalate the conflict between human and parasite. This first part is quite bloody and gory, there is tragedy as those close to Shinichi are targeted, humour, action and mystery. This film wastes no time on exposition or where the parasites came from; Parasyte – Part 2 may provide some answers.

Video

     Parasyte is presented in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, in the PAL format and 16x9 enhanced.

     This is not the crispest print you will see. While close-ups of faces are sharp enough, backgrounds can be soft. The colours vary; some scenes look natural, others have a blue, yellow or brown tinge, and in most scenes the colours are dialled down and look somewhat muted, an exception being the red/purple of the parasites when they burst from human heads. Blacks are solid and shadow detail good, brightness and contrast does vary, with glare when the light source is behind the actor. Aliasing was also present on buildings in long shots and on Shinichi’s mother’s chequered shirt.

     Lip synchronisation was fine.

    The English subtitles are in a yellow font. They are not burnt in so can be removed for Japanese speakers. I did not notice any errors.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

    Both Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 at 448 Kbps and Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 at 224 Kbps are available.

     I listened to the 5.1. Dialogue is clear. The effects are good including squishy footsteps or the slushy sounds of the parasites eating humans. The surrounds and rears featured music plus screams, voices, thumps and the “whip” of parasite tentacles during the action. In other times there were directional effects such as doors closing and footsteps. The sub-woofer added appropriate depth to the music and rumble to the effects.

     The score by Naoki Sato, an experienced composer with music for both live action (Rurouni Kenshin trilogy (2012-14)) and anime (Assassination Classroom (2015-16)) on his CV, was in turns exciting, dramatic or poignant, nicely augmenting the visuals.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Theatrical Trailer (1:03)

More from Eastern Eye

    Trailers for Tokyo Tribe (1:47), Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (2:55), Monsterz (1:51) and Shield of Straw (1:52).

     The Region 2 UK and Region 3 HK DVDs of Parasyte – Part 1 also seem to include only the trailer as an extra. There are Region 2 Japanese normal and deluxe editions which are not English friendly. There is not currently a listing for a Region 1 US release. Buy local.

     Obviously in condensing a multi-volume manga into two films running less than 4 hours (the amine of 24 episodes runs around 8 hours) parts of the original manga are omitted or changed. I know some fans of the manga have been unhappy with the film, labelling it “Parasyte for dummies” but, and apologies to those fans, I can say that you don’t need any knowledge of the manga to understand and enjoy Parasyte – Part 1. The world of humans and parasites is economically sketched, allowing the film to concentrate upon a few characters and their dilemmas. Although not complete, in its own right Parasyte – Part 1 is a tremendous film – thought-provoking, compelling, funny and tragic. I was not expecting to get so enthralled, but it hooked me and I cannot wait to see what happens in Parasyte – Part 2.

     The video has its moments, the audio is good. A trailer is the only extra.

     Parasyte – Part 1 and its companion Parasyte – Part 2 were released separately in theatres in Japan and individually on DVD in Australia by Madman. The two films have now been rereleased together by Madman as Parasyte: Movie Collection. If you did not purchase the individual titles, this rerelease is a chance to catch up with this tremendous film(s).

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

Parasyte - Part 2 (Kiseijuu) (2015)

This review is sponsored by

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General		Extras
Category	Action / Horror	Theatrical Trailer Trailer-More from Eastern Eye x 4
Rating
Year Of Production	2015
Running Time	112:55
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	Takashi Yamazaki
Studio Distributor	Madman Entertainment	Starring	Shota Sometani Eri Fukatsu Ai Hashimoto Tadanobu Asano Kazuki Kitamura
Case	?
RPI	?	Music	Naoki Sato

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 (448Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	2.35:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio	2.35:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	English	Smoking	Yes
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

     Parasyte – Part 2 is the second of two live action films by director Takashi Yamazaki based on the popular 1990s manga by Hitoshi Iwaaki. The first film was released in 2014 around the same time as an anime based on the manga, Parasyte: The Maxim, started showing on Japanese TV, this second part was released in 2015. I am not familiar with either the manga or the anime, so will only consider the Parasyte films in their own right.

     As Parasyte – Part 2 starts the divide between humans and parasites widens and the possibility for peaceful co-existence as envisaged by the leader of the parasites Ryoko Tamiya (Eri Fukatsu) who has just given birth to a human baby boy, recedes. Humans have formed a special Police assault team to hunt and kill parasites while on the parasite side the powerful Goto (Tadanobu Asano) is determined that humans should be exterminated. Parasites have now also taken control of City Hall after the election victory of Mayor Takeshi Hirokawa (Kazuki Kitamura) creating a safe haven for parasites. Hirokawa, as well as Goto, does not agree with Ryoko’s order that Shinichi (Shota Sometani) be studied and not harmed and he dispatches a parasite to kill Shinichi and Migi; but Shinichi’s powers are growing and he and Migi are able to defeat their opponent. Indeed, Shinichi’s bigger problem at this time is his girlfriend Satomi (Ai Hashimoto), who is trying to understand just what is going on.

     Parasyte – Part 2 continues straight on from Parasyte – Part 1 and lives up to the high standard set by the first part. It is thought-provoking, funny, sad, moving and tragic as well as very bloody and gory. The environmental subtext remains but this second film is more about what it is to be human and who the real parasites on Earth are. Indeed, nothing is black and white; there are bloodthirsty and mindless killers on both sides as well those who display understanding, such as Ryoko and Detective Hirama (Jun Kunimura). Parasyte – Part 2 also does not quite go where one expects; there are unexpected, and very poignant, deaths of major characters, humans acting like parasites and parasites who act like humans, and the film does end on a note of hope for the human species, and the planet. Amid the tragedy and action, which is gory with decapitations, blood and mutilated bodies, the film retains its sense of wry humour, especially the interaction between Shinichi and Migi which is very endearing. The CGI continues to be a mixed bag, from good to quite poor, although one must remember that this is not a huge budget Hollywood production.

     In this second part Eri Fukatsu comes into her own as the conflicted Ryoko, a parasite who finds within herself more human traits than she thought possible, while Shota Sometani remains excellent, his scenes with Ai Hashimoto as Satomi providing the heart of the film and, in the end, the key to some of the questions posed.

     Parasyte – Part 2 maintains the high standards of the first part and provides some explanations and conclusions, although each is not necessarily clear cut. Taken together the two parts are tremendous sci-fi action/ horror films, complex, thoughtful and satisfying.

Video

     Parasyte is presented in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, in the PAL format and 16x9 enhanced.

     This is not the crispest print you will see. While close-ups of faces are sharp enough, backgrounds can be soft. The colours vary; some scenes look natural, others have a blue, yellow or brown tinge, and in most scenes the colours are dialled down and look somewhat muted, an exception being the red/purple of the parasites when they burst from human heads. Blacks are solid and shadow detail good, brightness and contrast does vary, with glare when the light source is behind the actor. Aliasing was also present on car grills, bricks and railings.

     Lip synchronisation was fine.

    The English subtitles are in a yellow font. They are not burnt in so can be removed for Japanese speakers and I did not notice any errors.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

    The audio is Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 at 448 Kbps.

     Dialogue is clear. The effects are good including squishy footsteps or the slushy sounds of the parasites eating humans. The surrounds and rears featured music plus screams, voices, thumps and the “whip” of parasite tentacles during the action. In other times there were directional effects such as doors closing and footsteps. The sub-woofer added appropriate depth to the music and rumble to the effects.

     The score by Naoki Sato, an experienced composer with music for both live action (Rurouni Kenshin trilogy (2012-14)) and anime (Assassination Classroom (2015-16)) on his CV, was in turns exciting, dramatic and poignant, nicely augmenting the visuals.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Theatrical Trailer (1:28)

More from Eastern Eye

    Trailers for Yakuza Apocalypse (1:05), SPL2: A Time for Consequences (1:22), Metro Manila (1:53) and Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (2:55).

     The Region 2 UK and Region 3 HK DVDs of Parasyte – Part 2 also include only the trailer as an extra. There are Region 2 Japanese normal and deluxe editions which are not English friendly and there is not currently a listing for a Region 1 US release. Buy local.

     I was surprised, enthralled and then moved by the themes, compassion, characters, drama, tragedy and wry humour of Parasyte. The right of humans as a species to continue to destroy the Earth through overpopulation, environmental degradation and greed is a complex question, as is what it means to be human. While Parasyte does not shy away from the big questions and it does provide an answer, of sorts, its approach, where nothing is black and white, and the focus on a few individuals results in a very “human” drama that is tragic, humorous and, ultimately, hopeful, even though some of the CGI is rather dodgy. While some fans of the manga are unhappy with the films, I can only say, as someone new to the Parasyte world, that these are fabulous films in their own right.

     The video has its moments, the audio is good. A trailer is the only extra.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall