Director: Yuichi Fukuda.
Starring: Ryohei Suzuki, Fumika Shimizu, Ken Yasuda.
Running Time: 90 minutes
Certificate: 15
Is there anything normal about superhero films? They’re all pretty stupid really aren’t they? I mean, somebody being bitten by a radioactive spider? Orphan dresses up like a bat? It’s all just nonsense. Which is probably why HK: FORBIDDEN SUPER HERO is such a spectacular farce. In it, a high school student discovers he has super powers that manifest whenever he wears used panties on his face. With such an opening gambit, is there any way in which this could have failed? Not likely.
That very bizarre plot works thanks to the fact our lead character is a complete innocent. He only finds out his power by accident and absolutely hates becoming Pervert Mask. It’s such a pleasure to see a hero being really conflicted with his alter ego and in the lead Ryohei Suzuki is absolutely shameless, as well as a sweet individual. The battle between a superhero and their everyday persona has been played with a lot, so this bonkers twist is a welcome addition.
The plot sees a group of bullies wishing to take over the school’s martial arts team in order to rule the school and find hidden treasure. Again, the motivations are over the top, as is the entire film. Humour derives from seeing how far things will go and how uncomfortable we will feel. Thankfully, the film is never crass or vile, every last part of the film is likable, from the SPIDER-MAN inspired music and the effects that harken back to a decade ago.
Silly and very juvenile, it will take an adult with a childish nature to get the most from HK: FORBIDDEN SUPERHERO. It works on its own merits, but finds a grander voice in the way it parodies big blockbusters and Japanese culture in general. Daft it may be, but those venturing forward will no doubt be surprised at how much they care for the outcome. When they get the romance right in these types of films, you can guarantee you’re on to a winner, and when that romance hangs on discovering the inner pervert in all of us, then I see no reason as to why this should be forbidden.
[usr=4]HK: FORBIDDEN SUPER HERO is out on DVD & Blu-ray on 15th September.
