Junk (2000) - Junk: Shiry-gari

Directed by Atsushi Muroga

Starring Natsuki Ozawa, Kaori Shimamura

Junk by name and as disposable as junk by nature.

The US army are carrying out experiments in a deserted factory outside of Tokyo; the purpose is to bring life back to the dead using a green liquid (reminiscent of Re-Animator). The experiment works but not as intended, a woman is brought back from the dead but as a flesh eating zombie (surprise surprise!).

A gang rob a jewellers and co-ordinate to meet at a deserted factory with the potential buyers of their haul. While waiting at the destination one of them is attacked and bitten, leaving him for dead the others panic and run out of the building, straight into the arms of the buyers. The second gang have no intention of paying for the Jewels, in typical style they draw their weapons, killing another of the robbers before chasing the surviving members back into the factory.

A special squad from the US army arrive at the factory, their sole intention is to blow it up destroying the zombies and any evidence of the experiments. They are surprised when they hear a woman screaming so split up, one to set the self destruct, the other to check if there is anyone still alive.

Wading through the zombies isnt too difficult when you know how to kill them but the last creation wasnt a normal one, she was a zombie that could think and reason, a super zombie that could move as fast (if not faster) than a normal human. The story revolves around the rescue of the one surviving gang member (another fled the scene), destroying the super zombie (who has a very nasty habit of re-appearing when you think she's been destroyed) and blowing up the factory. Needless to say, itll take a sacrifice or two to get the job done and the ending is left open to allow a sequel. 

Very straight average zombie flick, most comparable with Romeros films but without the social commentary or dark humour. Effects wise, this is truly old school and stands up well against other films, zombies chewing intestines etc. I cant say theres any real reason to see the film, its just gross out entertainment that feels more American in style than Japanese, still if you love zombie flicks this won't let you down. 

Cheers Trev.

BBFC rated 18

R2 dvd released by Artsmagic