Yokai Hanta - Hiruko (1990) Hiruko the Goblin 

Directed by Shinya Tsukamoto

Starring Kenji Sawada, Masaki Kudou

This belongs with the likes of Evil Dead or Peter Jacksons early efforts, very low budget, some pretty bad acting and some good but some awful special effects.

The basic plot (once again adapted from a manga) involves the accidental freeing of an ancient demon from a large mound built specifically to contain it; of course theyve since built houses and a school on the mound! The demon/goblin takes the head of its first victim, (a schoolgirl of course) grows spiders legs then sneaks up on its other victims, entrances them by singing a slow repetitive song then makes them decapitate themselves.

The only way to stop it and its brethren from coming up from the pits of Hell and causing worldwide chaos is to trap it again within the mound. A young boy, a nutty archaeologist plus the school caretaker are the only ones capable of saving the world from Hiruko and the hosts of Hell.

At best this is daft, absurdly funny in parts and utterly disposable, the plot is very straightforward but the way its edited with jump cuts every few minutes or even seconds look very amateurish.

From what I can find out, Tsukamoto made this film to help fund his own endeavours and it certainly doesnt belong with the rest of his canon. Dont go out of your way to see this but if youre looking for something light, silly and fairly entertaining this may just fit the bill. 

Cheers Trev.

BBFC rated 15

Available on DVD from Artsmagic.