There's no doubt about the fact that Takashi Miike is a madman. I think anyone who has experienced any of his twisted, genre-bending works would be hard pressed to tell you differently. He has become a director that both die hard genre fans and cinematic curiosity seekers alike place at the top of their "filmmakers to watch out for" list, firmly cementing that spot with his reputation for being one of the ultimate risk takers. He'll make a jump in tone from the serious, like the eerie, sexual thriller Audition or gritty, crime drama Graveyard of Honor to the downright absurd, such as the goofball musical comedy Happiness of the Katakuris or the unforgettable, over the top, volatile splatterfest Ichi the Killer. He's done out there Lynchian weirdness (Gozu), straight forward Ring-influenced Asian horror (One Missed Call), and a film that has no linear plot about an ancient warrior who travels through time and kills lots and lots of people (Izo). Needless to say, you never know what is going to come next. But as radically different as they are, that is the one thing that all these films have in common; Miike's ability to continuously keep you on your toes by constantly pushing the boundaries of what is expected. Following his career is like a never ending roller coaster ride, every film another twist or turn on its completely unpredictable path. So what curveball can the king of the unexpected possibly throw our way next? Try an epic children's fantasy about an army of ghosts trying to stop the destruction of humankind.

Young Tadashi is still getting accustomed to his new life in the country, having moved there from Tokyo after his parents divorced. In an attempt to fit in and make friends, he attends a local village festival and as part of a time-honored custom unknowingly becomes elected the town's Kirin Rider, a guardian of peace and justice. Tradition dictates that as part of his duties he is to climb Great Goblin Mountain and retrieve a sword from the mythical creature that lives there. Pushing his reservations aside, he sets out on a journey up the ominous mountain. After all, this is all only some old legend, right? That's when Tadashi meets the Yokai, ancient spirits believed to exist only in Japanese folklore, but frighteningly real to him. Several of the monsters befriend him, and together they learn of a plot by the evil Lord Kato to use Yomotsumono, a force made from concentrated hatred, to turn the Yokai into an army of scrap metal death machines which he will use to destroy mankind. Can timid Tadashi gather the courage and skill necessary to master the powerful sword of the Kirin Rider and lead an unlikely band of monstrous heroes to defeat Lord Kato before Tokyo is in ruins?

The film is technically a remake of the 1968 Daiei Productions film Yokai Daisenso, but it's actually more of a reworking of similar ideas than a retelling of the same story. While both films are indeed about monsters going to war, the similarities end there. The original is a period piece and pits the Yokai up against a powerful bloodsucking demon as opposed to the modern day tale with its gangs of chainsaw wielding, rust covered robots. It's also much more of a traditional horror story with that distinct folk tale feeling, full of spooky fog covered marshes where lurking apparitions are waiting to trap you with their ghostly trickery. The newer version is without a doubt geared toward a younger audience, the equivalent of a Japanese Harry Potter. Its big budget CGI effects make it look more like a video game or anime come to life, and the standard innocent child hero vs. corrupt tyrant plot takes much of the focus away from the monsters (which is what we're watching for, right?). Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of monsters - the Kappa (water sprite), the Rokurokubi (long-neck woman), the Nopperabou (faceless ghost), the unforgettable Umbrella Man - all the favorites are present. But I think that fans of the classic Yokai films might find that a little of that magic is missing in their transition to the screen this time. Keeping in mind that this is aimed at kids and that Miike almost always throws some humor into the mix, even in his most brutal films, the Yokai do little else here but get played for laughs. While it works most of the time (the Azuki beans song is hilarious), it is disappointing that we never really get to see most of them showcase any kind of awesome ghostly power. Things also get a little bogged down by some underlying environmental messages that are never fully fleshed out, but overall The Great Yokai War is a very fun, entertaining ride, regardless of some of the monsters falling a little short. After all, it's still packed full of them (which, again, is what we're watching for, right?).

Disclaimer: Gorehounds Beware! - Do not dive into this one expecting your typical Miike whirlwind of twisted sex and hardcore violence because you will be let down. I hope I made it clear that this movie is made for children, so there are no bloodbaths here, you'll have to look elsewhere. Sorry.

Universe has gone all out for this release, offering up a deluxe 2-disc set loaded with extras. It all comes housed in a gorgeous slipcover package, the discs stored in a fold out sleeve decorated with pictures of the film's many monsters. The transfer is clear, the colors are bright, and the subtitles are crisp and easy to read. There are also a whole slew of audio options, available in both DTS and Dolby Digital in the original Japanese or Dolby in the translated Chinese. The second disc contains a making of, cast interviews, footage from press conferences and the film's premier, 2 short featurettes, and an interactive archive with pictures and bios of all the Yokai. What might be the best feature of them all, is that all of this supplemental material is also available with the various audio and subtitle options, including English, which is rare for a foreign release and a trend I would love to see continue.