ACTION MONDAY: ROBOGEISHA (2009)

Title: ROBOGEISHA (2009)

  What can really be said about RoboGeisha.......Maybe, that it feels like insanity personified. Of course, now adays when it comes to the Japanese film market, about 50% of it's offerings can fall into that category. What with the likes of 'Fish Story', 'Machine Girl', and 'Tokyo Gore Police', out there to choose from.
   The thing that helps Geisha apart, though, is it's tounge-blade firmly planted in the cheeks of all involved. Besides it's outlandish imagery, is a savegly feirce humor, of the slapstick variety, often engaging in moments of, 'I assure you, none of us take any of these proceedings seriously'. It helps the film, and it's audience find it's footing, and relax accordingly. Assuridly the film is loaded with various WTF! moments, but for clarity sake, attempts to put a narrative wedged into things. It certainly is a crazy crazy story for that part, one that found me grinning from ear to ear, with glee, as well as a fair share of horror.
    Geisha opens with an assassination attempt that it interrupted by the title character. She then proceeds to tell her story, of how she came to be here (though the film never flashes back at the end, saddlyl. We learn the the struggles of 2 sisters, one a geisha, and one the glorified servant girl, to said geisha. the disappoint thing about the film, is this is a 'show, don't tell' affair. An instance where, first viewing should be withe a group of friends. Second would be forcing a friend who missed out on the festivities, so watch it will you, while constantly chiding....'just wait'.......
   The filmmakers are very strong when it comes to the stage of truly running with a concept, no matter the concequences. I can't think of any film in recent history, that is supposed to include shoddy cgi, as an enhancement. It reinforces the heightened reality of the film. Any time (save for the not flashing back to the present at the end) you find yourself question the things said, or shown on screen.....someone answers it.
  RoboGeisha isnmt a good film by any stretch of the imagination. Inspired, insane, fun, and memorable? yes

*** out of *****