Wild Zero
(Synapse Films Region 0 NTSC DVD)
(1999)
review by Head Cheeze

Wild Zero offers us a glimpse into a strange alternate reality in which we can envision just how cool it would have been if The Monkees were Japanese. Imagine Mickey, Peter, Davey, and Mike tooling about in the Monkee Mobile, singing, dancing, and blowing the heads off of everyone in sight, all whilst swilling beer, tearing the shirts off of woman in schoolgirl outfits, and fighting zombie hordes! The Japanese know how to party, damnit, and I wanna party with them, especially with the film's stars, the Ramones inspired punk-a-billy trio, Guitar Wolf.

The film opens with what appears to be a full on alien invasion fleet heading toward Earth, and then cuts to a news broadcast about a meteorite crashing in Japan. We are then introduced to Ace (Endo), a die-hard Guitar Wolf afficionado who dresses, acts, and rocks like his favourite band. Ace goes to see the Wolf at a show that evening, and then stumbles into a Mexican stand-off between Guitar Wolf and an evil promoter and his henchman backstage. Ace steps into the fray and provides enough of a distraction for the Wolf to take down their foes and claim their pay. His reward? A whistle from the band's leader...err..Guitar Wolf...which he is instructed to blow when he's in danger. Little do they know that danger is shambling right around the corner, as the "meteor" crash has somehow sparked an outbreak of bloodthirsty zombies!

Wild Zero is a film so high in concept that it's virtually impossible to describe in an entire essay, let alone a single paragraph, suffice it to say that this flick is essentially an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink zombedy that's equal parts Evil Dead 2 and Rock and Roll High School. It's definitely a film that could become something of a cult phenomenon outside of it's native Japan, if handled correctly, and I think that's what Synapse Film is betting on here.

The DVD from Synapse features a very nice transfer of the film, and a sharp Dolby 2.0 soundtrack, as well as Guitar Wolf bios, a short "behind-the-scenes music video", discography, still's gallery, and trailer.

However, the thing that really separates this DVD from the pack is the inclusion of the first ever DVD Drinking Game! A special Beer Mug graphic appears onscreen, prompting the viewer to drink, everytime someone combs their hair, says Rock and Roll, fire shoots out of something, and more. I can tell you that, were I actually playing, I'd have been drunk in the first twenty minutes of the film, especially after Ace's first "Rock and Roll will never die" speech. Oh, and if you don't think fire can shoot out of too many things, you clearly have no idea until you see this film.

Wild Zero could be the title that really launches Synapse Films into the stratosphere if it gets into the right hands. I can see this flick being the punk alternative to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, with folks dressing up in leather coats and pompadours, guitars slung over thier shoulders, and spewing forth the oftentimes ridiculous dialogue and lyrics ("I've got a wallet on my ass with a rock and roll license") in unison. It's definitely a party film, and the inclusion of the drinking game is pure genius on Don May's part. Good job, man!

For folks who aren't planning a party anytime soon, the film is STILL a magnificently funny and entertaining way to spend an evening, and, rest assured, when you do have some folks over and the Trivial Pursuit is getting stale, Wild Zero may be the perfect way to jazz up the night! Rock and Roll Jet Party To The Morning!!