NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Tokyo Shock Region 'A' Blu-ray: April 2011: Not much to say - the single-layered Blu-ray is more brownish than the greener DVD transfer - and I'll have to assume that this is more accurate... and intentional. There is still plenty of noise - the image may be a bit lighter - no chroma and it is progressive. Tracks of all flavors (original and English DUBs of both 5.1 and 2.0 stereo) in lossless DTS-HD Master sound fairly robust - compared to the SD disc but those with more sensitive ears and discerning equipment will notice more. There are optional subtitles.

Same extras as the DVD (Behind the Scenes and trailer) but they add the 'Machine Girl Lite' 22-minute take-off piece.

The film didn't improve upon re-visitation and the kitschy appeal has, kind of, evaporated. Perhaps I wasn't in the mood - but certainly no upgrade is recommended but first timers may as well get the Blu-ray as, at the writing of this review, it is even cheaper than the DVD. It's good for a one time laugh and the price certainly isn't gouging (no pun intended). 

***

ON THE DVD: Obviously utilizing some of the kitsch surround Rodriquez' Planet Terror with Rose McGown frequently sporting a prosthetic weapon, this Japanese wannabe film has the conceptual idea but incorporates some excessive, although cartoonish, violence for this reviewer (I may avoid Sushi for a while). I can, however, see many getting a lot of entertainment value from The Machine Girl.

In regards to the image quality - perhaps it was intentional but the low-level contrast exposes some unhealthy noise and a bit of chroma. The disc is dual-layered, progressive and anamorphic with an excessive bitrate (if we can trust it). The film itself may have been going for a certain style but I don't find it transfers well to SD-DVD. It was easily watchable and the occasional weaknesses could be considered giving it a kind of 'grindhouse' effect. I didn't see theatrically so I can't be sure. Good news is that I don't see excessive manipulation and the image is fairly clean.

The audio comes in flavors of original Japanese (5.1 and 2.0) and two similar English DUBs (which the 5.1 English appears to be the default setting). The English subtitles don't match the DUB that's for sure - although both export the, usually unimportant, scripted dialogue well enough to know what's going on (not rocket-science here folks).

Supplements include a 10 minute, interlaced, 4:3, 'Behind the Scenes' with input from the cast as they go through their paces post or pre-scenes. The length is about right as it doesn't have much in-depth information to express. There is also an original trailer and some previews.

Well, I imagine all interested parties will know what they are in for and... not to dissuade - but it might 'look' more entertaining than it turns out although I'm no expert on this sub-sub genre and don't have much to compare it with. I did get a kick out of Planet Terror and this only has a minority of that film's 'camp' appeal. I admit I was chuckling through much and that has to be worth something in itself. Certainly the price is right for this Tokyo Shock DVD. Japanese schoolgirl revenge appears to be on the rise - cinematically speaking. With the fervor surrounding this - I expect more forthcoming. Beware evil-doers!    

Gary W. Tooze