Zebraman

Director: Takashi Miike
Year Released: 2004
Rating: 1.5

Miike takes on those shows from Japan that resemble The Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers but his film's appeal is minimal. A schoolteacher who isn't respected by anyone (for no good reason) strives to impress a small crippled boy (and society at large) by dressing up in a papier-mâché costume and fighting against a horde of aliens. Simultaneously bizarre and pathetic, it's an action movie that's short on action and pathos. From a filmmaker who spends most of his time making extreme, often nonsensical adult action, this one is reared more for teenagers, although most will struggle to pay attention.