MOVIE REVIEW: “BLACK BUTLER” 黒執事(2014) JAPAN

 “BLACK BUTLER” 黒執事(2014) JAPANESE MOVIE REVIEW

This Reviewer tries to be a follower of Japanese movies many years ago. You cannot say he has succeeded, given the dearth of Japanese imports these days. 

Good Japanese projects ooze a certain amount of charm that will mesmerize you, liken to the craze affecting addictive followers of the Korean cinema. The cultural reality is different.

“THE BLACK BUTLER” is a fine example of a manga story plucked from the Japanese comic world.

It is crafted for the manga lovers.

Manga are comics created in Japan using the Japanese language, conforming to a lifestyle developed by Japan in the late 19th century.

In Japan, manga is a powerful element, a rage, a culture. Japanese of all ages read manga, the medium of which embodies a broad range of genres such as action, adventure, romance, sports and a whole lot more.

Let’s run over “THE BLACK BUTLER” 黑执事” Synopsis

The year is 2020.

Mummified corpses of murdered dignitaries are strewn all over the world.

A tarot card is the only clue left at every crime scene to tentalize the police.

The overall mood is grim signaling that the globe is in total chaos.

We start with Kiyoharu who is the young head of the Genpo noble family who runs a colossal toy manufacturing enterprise.

Kiyoharu also doubles up as a secret watchdog for the Queen, a confidential service that his family has provided for generations.

The Queen instructs Kiyoharu to resolve the case of the mummification incidents.

The operation is spearheaded by his arrogant butler, Sebastian, who is cold and ruthless and is in fact a living demon.

Kiyoharu is in fact a female who has been hiding his true female identity since his parents’ tragic death 10 years earlier.

In return for pledging his undying support, Sebastian is promised his master’s soul after Kiyoharu has avenged the murder of his parents.

Who is the mastermind behind the serial mummification deaths?

Will Kiyoharu finally apprehend his parents’ murderers?

You have to watch the movie for the answers.

 Directors Kentaro Otani and Keiichi Sato maintain the right mood and tone of the manga occult-themed style.

From the set ambience to the actors, everything is done to amplify the action.

Sebastian’s fight scenes are well choreographed. The movie is deliciously demented as everything is not played nice, fair or easy.

If you enjoy the theme of manga, then the film is crafted for you.

Sweet dream!

RATING: 3 out of 5

Local Distributor: GSC MOVIES