Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1988)

Movie Rating NR Contains: Violence Graphic Violence Gore Sex Nudity Mature Situations

Director: Shinya Tsukamoto Movie Genre: Science Fiction, Cyberpunk Country: Japan Tetsuo: The Iron Man Score Card The following scores are based on a 0.0 to 10.0 rating scale Hover your mouse pointer over the name of each scoring category below for a description Direction: 7.3 Writing: 6.9 Acting: 6.4 Cinematography: 8.2 Sound and Score: 9.0 Functionality: 8.0 Presentation: 7.1 Genre Comparison: 9.8 General Comparison: 6.7 Overall: 7.7 Reviewed 2006-01-16 03:13:43

Tetsuo: The Iron Man is considered by many as Shinya Tsukamoto's early masterpiece. Tsukamoto shot, wrote, directed, produced, and acted in this film. This movie was far ahead of its time when it was made in 1988. With this movie Tsukamoto proved that all he needs to make a movie great is good solid content.

This movie is considered one of the first "cyberpunk" movies. This subgenre is a combination of Science Fiction and Surrealism. These movies usually have little to no dialogue, disturbing visuals, an industrial noise score, and subject matter dealing with mutation through technology. Tetsuo: The Iron Man is the movie that gave this genre worldwide exposure.

The story is about an average businessman who, after being involved in a hit and run accident with a metal fetishist, undergoes a grotesque transformation into something resembling a scrap heap. At first the metamorphosis seems to be a result of Tetsuo's guilt over the accident. As the movie progresses, the narrative structure devolves into incoherence and becomes purely a vehicle for the symbolism and social commentary.

There is a great deal of symbolism present in this picture. The subject matter deals with sexual deviance, homosexuality, AIDS, the evils of technology, and traditional Japanese gender roles. Tsukamoto does not choose a side with these controversial topics. Instead, he simply displays the controversy and, where applicable, shows just how difficult the struggle is for the people involved. For example, the homosexual relationship in the movie is neither damning, nor affirming of this lifestyle. Tsukamoto does not pass judgment on either of the two men in question; he just shows that their forbidden lifestyle brands them as monsters and outcasts.

This movie will likely make all viewers uncomfortable. Tetsuo: The Iron Man will teach you how to squirm. The grainy 16mm film mixed with the disorienting angles and shots make each scene resemble a Rorschach test that must initially be analyzed before the viewer realizes what is happening.

Tetsuo: The Iron Man is not a film to be merely watched. Tetsuo: The Iron Man is an experience. It is impossible to watch this movie and be unaffected by it. No matter what your reaction to this movie is, the fact remains that, once you see it, there is no turning back.