Yuyu Hakusho: Poltergeist Report
Based on the manga by Yoshihiro Togashi. Before I begin, I have to tell you that I've never seen the Yuyu Hakusho TV series nor have read the manga. As a result, this review should be considered applicable only to people with a similar background -- those who love the TV and manga series probably will enjoy this film much more than I did. With that said...
The Spirit World has been overrun by a terrible force, and this time it's not the Demon World, but the long-since forgotten Netherworld. Yakumo, lord of the Netherworld, has attacked the Spirit World to retrieve the Power Sphere from Emperor Enma so that he can bring the Netherworld back and take over both the Spirit World and the Human World (aka downtown Tokyo). Simple enough, right?
Bouton, a messenger from the Spirit World, quickly runs to the Human World to alert its human protectors (the cast of Yuyu Hakusho). In order to save the Spirit World, as well as their own, the protectors of our world must secure the five Elemental sites (which all lie within a five mile radius in Tokyo, again*). With me so far?
From here, the plot becomes inconsequential and the story formulaic. One after another, the good guys get their arses handed to them by the bad guys, but then they get really mad and start to turn the tables, ending in an incredulous ending where the main character (Yusuke) develops a new power (oh, how original!) and faces Yakumo. This kind of unoriginal plot is not the only thorn on this flower. Oh no! Yes, we have a total lack of adequate character development, most likely
due to the fact that the writers expected only fans of the TV series to watch it. Which, as far as I'm concerned is all good and well, but even with these excuses the plot is poorly patched together and the storyline progressed only by interspersed monologues that serve to explain 1) what went on 2) what is going on and 3) what is going to happen next. Yawn! The animation isn't anything I haven't seen before either. Character designs are anemic, and the only way I can tell the girls apart is by the color of their hair. The male characters are portrayed poorly as well, and
demonstrate a severe lack of motivation except the typical "You hurt so-and-so! Now I'm going to hurt you!" Argh! Save me! Fight sequences are less than filling, and coupled with the average animation even the spiritual attacks are nothing to write home about. Oh, and most of the combat is bloodless too so you vampires (you know who you are) will be disappointed.
I cannot stress enough that this film will most likely only be enjoyed by fans of the series. Sure, some movies based on OVA and TV series have done well...Tenchi Muyo in Love is one of those (although it too suffers from assumed-familiarity characterization syndrome), but this one in particular makes a knowledge of antecedent Yuyu Hakusho info a must. Given that this is the first commercial release of a Yuyu Hakusho property, this means that it's audience is limited to those who have access to the fansubs. And since fansubs are frowned upon by the industry, it makes me wonder if this release is a subtle
nod of approval to fansubbers. All in all, spend your $20 on something better...like Ninja Scroll!
* I live in Miami...do I really care if Tokyo is overrun by demons from the Netherworld?
Screenplay: Yukiyoshi Ohashi, Sukehiro Tomita, Hiroshi Hashimoto
Director: Masakatsu Iijima
Producer: Haruo Sai, Ken Hagino, Naoharu Honokidani
Character Design: Hiroki Kanno
Music: Yusuke Homma
©1994 TOHO Co., Lt., Studio Pierrot, MOVIC
90 minutes
Genre: Magic/Spiritual Combat
Format: Feature film available in VHS sub/dub from U.S. Manga Corps.
Rating: 75 (40/16/19) -- Violence, language.
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Last update 12 June 1998