Electric Dragon 80.000 V

Electric Dragon 80.000 V is an electrifying journey through the realm of the bizarre and the exquisite, a film that gleefully challenges conventions of the genre while paying homage to the highly stylized production values typically found in comic books and animated features. The film was released in 2001, directed by the renowned Sogo Ishii (now Gakuryū Ishii), who is famed for his unconventional storytelling, and starring popular Japanese actors Yoshiki Arizono, Tadanobu Asano, and Masakatsu Funaki. Known for his boundary-pushing, high octane approach to filmmaking, Ishii blends surrealism with eccentric humor, creating an atmosphere of chaotic beauty that makes Electric Dragon 80.000 V a visual tour de force as well as a feast for the consciousness.

The story centers on Dragon Eye Morrison (Tadanobu Asano), a half-man, half-electric lizard who helps Tokyo's wayward wildlife by day and rages as a punk rocker by night. Morrison's life is anything but ordinary – even from his childhood, in which a high-voltage accident left him with the uncanny ability to conduct electricity. He can channel up to 80,000 volts through his body, uses electricity to communicate with lizards, and when enraged, his overwhelming power can explode light bulbs and fry electrical systems surrounding him.

This skill feels very much like a curse to Morrison until he discovers his fascination and strange connection with lizards, going on to become a reptile investigator under the alias of 'Lizard Wrangler.' He lives in a metropolis teeming with eclectic characters and convoluted landscapes, his life a balance of chilling with his reptilian friends and venturing into the chaotic sprawl of the city.

Life becomes more complicated, however, when Morrison learns of the existence of Thunderbolt Buddha (Masakatsu Funaki), an elusive figure who also wields electricity-based powers. Buddha, who was disfigured by a childhood accident and now hides behind a metal mask, uses his electrical talents for more sinister purposes - his desire for control and dominance giving rise to a malevolent current in the city's underbelly.

Buddha's presence lures Morrison into an impending showdown: a battle of electric might in Tokyo’s underworld. These two electricity-infused superhumans engage in an iconic face-off that echoes the age-old battle between good and evil, further complicated by their own personal struggles. Their story plays out against the backdrop of Tokyo’s kinetic cityscape, a Pandora’s box of vibrant sights and sounds that mirrors the film’s own frantic energy and idiosyncratic style.

As much a visual spectacle as it is a narrative one, Electric Dragon 80.000 V capitalizes on Ishii's experimental approach to filmmaking. The film employs a rapid-fire editing style that aligns with the frenetic energy of the city, coupled with a black and white aesthetic that adds a layer of timeless charm to the proceedings. Additionally, the film is well complemented by an intense punk rock soundtrack, adding further visceral urgency to the narrative.

The performances, especially those of Asano and Funaki, are wholly committed, situated somewhere between the comically exaggerated and the profoundly heartfelt. This gives an otherworldly feeling to the characters, making them feel surreal yet grounded.

Notably, the movie also explores thematic elements of identity and personal autonomy amidst social conformity. It symbolically deals with conflicts and mental struggles, represented through electricity, pointing towards the perennial struggle between our desires and societal expectations.

Electric Dragon 80.000 V is a one-of-a-kind film, offering an eclectic mix of punk imagery, comic book aesthetics, and a heartfelt tale of identity and power. It's a visually stunning ride that invites viewers to embrace an alternate universe that’s across between a dystopian cyberpunk realm and a highly stylized manga. Challenging narrative conventions and dabbling in abstract themes, this film is a must-watch for fans of boundary-pushing cinema.