7 / 10
score
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Introduction
It’s only been a couple of months since the first Kitaro film came to the UK, and already we have the second one to enjoy, just in time for Christmas. Actually it’s a little late for Christmas, coming out along with the Kitaro movie twin pack on the 28th of December. But it’s the thought that counts. I wasn’t too enamoured of the first Kitaro movie, a family film that played to the youngest members of the audience, full of bright, primary colours, and prolific use of bright and shiny CGI. The story was also a little disjointed and unsatisfying, but Kitaro is a fan favourite of long standing in Japan, and audiences there were satisfied enough to justify a sequel. Maybe it can deliver what was lacking in the original movie.

Kitaro is a handsome young man of a ghost, who unlike his peers is fond of humans, and often chooses to help them when they are plagued by ghosts and spirits, giving the mischievous sprites a harsh talking down to, and making them see the error of their ways. His father, a talking eyeball, his friend Catgirl, as well as Crybaby and Sand Witch aid him in his endeavours. There is also dubious assistance from the flatulent and odious Ratman, who is more liable to line his own pockets than help the needy.

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There is a legend of the Song of Kagome. If it’s heard during a rainy night, then the person who heard it will lose their soul and die within two days. When a young musician named Kaede hears the song, she needs Kitaro’s help to banish the evil spirit responsible before it is too late. Researching the problem, Kitaro learns of a 1000-year-old curse, of an evil yokai who has been drawing innocents to their deaths for centuries. It has been banished once before, but that required a counterspell performed with five magical instruments, instruments that are now hidden around Japan. But as Kitaro and his friends race against time to recover the necessary items to perform the rite, it becomes clear that there is another spirit working against them. Nurari has a long held grudge against the human race, and he plans something far more devastating and lethal than simply taking one young girl’s soul.

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Picture
Kitaro gets a 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer, but unlike the first film, bizarrely this one gets an NTSC-PAL standards conversion. All the ghosting and softness really does begin to tell after a while, especially as unlike the first film, this movie is a lot darker and spookier. Detail levels take a hit, and all in all, it’s a comparative disappointment.

Of course, this being a film about spirits and bizarre supernatural creatures, you can expect a plethora of effects shots, and the film is full of practical effects, costumes and make up, as well as copious CGI creations. It’s still for a family audience first and foremost, so excessive realism isn’t the immediate aim. In fact most of the effects look cheap and cheerful, and the major issue here is that there hasn’t been enough work done in marrying the CG effects to the live action sequences. In this respect it’s very similar to the first film, despite the apparently higher budget.

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Sound
You just get the standard DD 2.0 Stereo Japanese with the sequel, which is a shame given all the action and excitement that occurs. Still, give it a little Prologic magic and you do find yourself in a fairly vibrant and encompassing sound stage. The dialogue is clear and the subtitles are legible and error free.


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