7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Recovering from a failed love affair Shiyori heads to the country, in the company of best friend and bad girl Aiko. Having taken a long soak in the hot spring they retire to their respective cabins. They soon discover that the tranquil village is the home of a cult with a fetish for cutting off female legs. Trying to escape they are split up and keep in touch via their mobile phones. Multiple points of view and time frames keeps the viewer on their toes trying to discern the grisly fate of these "lost" girls.
Starring: Nao Matsushita, Ami Suzuki, Shôko Nakagawa, Yoshiyuki Morishita, Hiroyuki IkeuchiForeign | 100% |
Horror | 65% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Fantasy | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
The official synopsis for the Japanese film “X Cross” details a vicious story where crazed pagan men chase around helpless young girls, attempting to sever their legs and offer the bloody prizes to their deity. Understandably, this rundown conjures images of dank cinematography, porno-level acting chops, and a diseased interest in the prolonged suffering of women -- not exactly an inviting viewing event. To my great surprise (and deepest relief), “X Cross” is actually nothing sinister, passing on the tempting opportunity to make a low-budget commotion with repulsive ingredients. Instead, it’s a spunky, darkly comic creation with a refreshingly limited amount of agony to share. A few legs are indeed violated, but the production is more interested in the peppy particulars of rural survival and sisterhood, creating a superbly entertaining comic thriller with a few well placed twists and turns.
Heading to a relaxing weekend at the Ashikari Village hot springs resort, Shiyori (Nao Matsushita) and Aiko (Ami Suzuki) are struggling with their longstanding friendship. Burned by her cheating boyfriend, Shiyori is having a difficult time coping with the loss, finding Aiko distant on the road, inferring their union doesn’t mean all that much to her. Arriving at the resort, the young women are quickly faced with bizarre occurrences and odd villagers, keeping them even more on edge. When a petty argument separates the pair, Shiyori is soon confronted with the true purpose of the resort: a cover for a cult that believes in the amputation of female legs to ward off any incoming disasters ordered up by the gods. Now desperate to escape the grounds, Shiyori takes off into the night, using her cell phone to navigate possible help and potential threat as she searches for Aiko, who’s also having a devil of a time getting out of harm’s way, pursued by a demented woman with a special connection to the visitor.
The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "X-Cross" is stable, though it sustains a softness that's never distracting, but restrains the picture some in the detail department. Pockets of noise pop up from time to time, along with some ringing. Textures are successfully communicated on facial nuances and set design elements -- the woodsy interiors of the village are well preserved. Make-up efforts also look fresh. Colors offer limited energy, but hues are communicative, offering memorable reds with bloodshed and cell phone cases, while the light autumnal browns and grays also register strongly. Blacks read a touch inky at times, especially when the picture moves into evening adventures, yet the details on hairstyles and secretive prowling remain intact, never blocked out by overwhelming crush. Skintones are comfortable and natural.
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix is quite amusing at times, maintaining the picture's interest in suspense by playing up sound effects, with pronounced movement and violent clashes employed to amplify the exaggerated mood of the piece. Hearty directional activity keeps the tension alert, with voices and attacking weirdos making good use of the surrounds, which also maintain a pleasing hold on atmospherics, delivering trickling streams and crunchy leaves as the characters race around the woodland premises. Interiors are also deep. Dialogue is crisp but never weighty, leaving voices on the thin side. Expositional needs are met, but genuine verbal power is lacking. Low-end isn't robust, but useful for the more destructive scenes and a club excursion that introduces some techno bounce. Scoring is tinny but unobtrusive, keeping to the back.
The "X Cross" climax unleashes expected sprays of blood, giving into the violent potential of the story with a chaotic showdown that offers some neat rescue operation theatrics and a satisfying twist when it comes to the revelation of the baddie. Again, it's not mind-bending material, but much of the conclusion is curved enough to encourage further interest, while also paying off a surprisingly sincere relationship between Shiyori and Aiko -- a pair of traumatized BFFs to the bitter end. I'm not sure why the studio is selling "X Cross" as a severed-limb free for all, but I supposed gnarly violence is more marketable than sturdy filmmaking, topped off with moderate wackiness, impressive performances, and a legitimate read of female bonding.
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