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Nightmare Detective AKA Akumu Tantei
R1 - America - Genius Products Review written by and copyright: Rob Fields (4th February 2008). |
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The Film
 When I had first seen "A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984) back when it had originally come out on home video (VHS back in the day), it was interesting to find out that the killer of the film, Freddy Krueger, was a filthy child murderer who was only able to kill you if you fell asleep and he got to you before you woke up. When I had seen this film and the rest in the series (1985-1994), they were the only ones that dealt with the dream world and nightmares that came with it. I have since seen many films where people are killed or ripped apart while in a dream state. When it's over, it turns out to be just that : nightmares. It seemed that there were never to be any more films dealing with dieing in the dream world. Then of course "Freddy vs. Jason" came out in 2003. From there, that would be the last of the dream world films. At least, that's what I thought. Then, a day after I had heard that "A Nightmare on Elm Street" would be remade (WHY, HOLLYWOOD, WHY?!), this Japanese release from The Weinstein Company's Genius Products (under their Dimension Extreme label) came to me via FedEx. In this comes another opportunity to see a film where people can die while nodding off into dreamland. "Nightmare Detective" (1:46:21) is a Japanese horror film that blurs the line between dreams and reality. When a series of hideous suicides are linked to a mysterious cell phone caller, only known as "0" (Shinya Tsukamoto, also the director and writer), who can manipulate victims' sleep states, Detectives Keiko Kirishima (Hitomi) and her partner Wakamiya (Masanobu Ando) are called in to investigate these murders. In time, Kirishima is forced to turn to a man (Ryuhei Matsuda) who has the unusual ability to enter people's dreams. At first, the Nightmare Detective (never called by that name in the film) refuses. In time he reluctantly agrees to help. Now the stage is set. Soon the lives of Keiko, Kirishima, and the Nightmare Detective are at risk as the nightmares get bloodier and the hunters become the prey. While death in your dreams is not original, at least the concept presented in this film is. In this, the Japanese movie industry can claim originality. I definitely enjoyed how the use of color : or lack of color : helped give the sense that the story is dark and dismal. It made me wonder which parts of the film took place in the real world and which were strictly in the dream world. I feel that Director Tsukamoto knew exactly what he was doing when he shot this. That's good. Also, the film does not drag. The story flows along from one scene to the next. While it may not be Freddy Krueger lurking around every corner, there is something or someONE waiting to strike. At least this is how it seems until "0" finally reveals himself. In the original "A Nightmare on Elm Street", it might have been scary and suspenseful watching Freddy work, but in each film thereafter it really wasn't scary. For one thing, you knew whom it was that was going to strike. All that the viewers were waiting to see from that point on was HOW he would strike. In "Nightmare Detective", you do not know where "0" will strike from next : until after the fact. This story kept me right on the edge, eyes glued to the screen. But you really want to know what I loved about this horror film most of all? Hollywood did NOT make it! 'Cause it wouldn't have been this good if they had. The one question that I had in the back of my mind was whether or not "0" was a Freddy Krueger wannabe. The answer? Not by a long shot. No, "0" has a different method to his madness. I, however, will not tell you what that is. My job here is to review the film presented on this DVD, not spoil it for you. A word to you gorehounds: If you're looking to watch this movie for buckets of blood and seemingly neverending gore...you've got the wrong movie. Go and watch Johnny Depp get eaten by his bed in "A Nightmare on Elm Street" if you want that sort of thing. The downsides? You'll have to read the Video and Audio sections to find out what those are. My final word: If you're looking for an original Japanese horror film with an awesome story, then this is an excellent one to add to your collection. If you do end up liking it and want to see more, then you'll have to wait until "Nightmare Detective 2", which is in production according to the Internet Movie Database. Also, Hollywood...PLEASE!! DO NOT REMAKE THIS FILM!! If you do, then here's a suggestion. Take a hint from "The Grudge" (2004) and get the person who wrote and directed the original film to do the same for yours.
Video
The film is presented in anamorphic widescreen format (1.85:1 ratio). The dream scenes have a lack of lighting that make the scenes work on the count of they are representing the dream world. One thing that is very evident about this film is the lack of light. Or is it more the lack of color? I noticed that in many of the scenes where the dark is factor, they are either in black-and-white have very little color. This is probably the first film I have seen utilizing this type of color scheme for most of the film itself. In a few of the darkened scenes (the opening one for starters), there's some pixelization. While this may not bother too many people, it is there nonetheless. At least it's not present throughout the whole film. There are also elements of grain in some of the night scenes (ones that are in color).
Audio
The film features two Dolby Digital 5.1 surround soundtracks. The first track is available in the original Japanese language. The second 5.1 track is a dubbed English track (for those who absolutely REFUSE to read subtitles). The dubbing seems to have been done by authentic Asian voice actors, judging from how they sounded. However, I did notice a slight loudness that comes from the dubbed dialogue. In some cases, I feel that it can ruin the effect that the film is trying to convey. For me, watching a dubbed audio track of this nature can cause viewers to not be able to suspend disbelief. Both tracks are capable of filling the room with sounds when necessary (the opening hospital room scene where the monitors are beeping for example). Also, when two voices are talking you can hear them coming out of two speakers. Still, the best way to watch this film is in the original Japanese audio with a subtitle option (unless you understand Japanese). There are optional English, English hard-of-hearing, and Spanish subtitles available for the film. The two subtitle tracks that are in English should not be used when watching the English audio track since these almost never match.
Extras
A documentary, the film's theatrical trailer and a series of bonus trailers round out the extras on this release. Below is a closer look at these supplements. The documentary "The Making of Nightmare Detective" runs 55 minutes and 26 seconds. It is presented in full screen format and is in Japanese audio only. There are removable English subtitles available. Writer/Director/Co-Star Tsukamoto opens this documentary by explaining how he came up with idea for "Nightmare Detective". After the opening, you will see a combination of behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the director and principal cast. There are chapter stops present, and it's for a reason. Each chapter deals with an aspect of the film, which you will learn from each of the chapter openings. While there may not be an audio commentary track, this documentary more than makes up for it. The original theatrical trailer for the film runs 2 minutes and 27 seconds. It is in non-anamorphic widescreen format, presented in its original Japanese language, and has non-removable English subtitles. Rounding out the extras is a collection of bonus trailers that play before the Main Menu only and include: - "Rogue" which runs for 2 minutes 8 seconds. - "Stephen King's The Mist" which runs for 2 minutes 31 seconds. - "Storm Warning" which runs for 1 minute 28 seconds. - "Halloween" which runs for 2 minutes 1 second. Unfortunately, there are no audio commentary tracks present. I would have liked to have listened to one by the director. I would have been interested to hear what he has to say about the film.
Overall
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