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Normally karaoke would terrify anyone but there is nothing to fear here.

Synapse has been putting out quality horror films for years.  Every once in a while they will stray outside the horror genre to put something new. Karaoke Terror doesn’t fall into the horror genre.  In fact the names doesn’t exactly make me want to watch it either.  I trust Synapse and they usually release some great DVDs so with a little hesitation, I popped the movie into my DVD player.  As the name implies, there karaoke music involved but the only thing scary about it is how good it is..

A group of street hoods aimlessly hangout around Tokyo.  Some have jobs others just drift.  What they love to do the most is get dressed up in elaborate costumes and perform karaoke in random locations form the mobile studio.  One of their group is a little more troubled than the rest and kills a middle aged woman who also has a gang that like to perform karaoke.  The middle aged woman’s friends are all divorced career women with the last name Midori and feel as disconnect with society and their younger counterparts.  After the woman is killer karaoke partners plan revenge on their fallen comrade. 

Each escalates the war just a little bit more until someone makes the ultimate sacrifice.  Karaoke Terror looks superficial but as the war progresses, it has a lot to say about Japanese culture, disconnected individuals and how violence begets violence.  With first fallen Midori, they pause, grieve and commiserate on her loss.  But as the killings escalate, there are no more tears shed, only thoughts of violence and getting back at the other gang.  The young gang is even more disconnected from society.  They performance elaborate karaoke number often in Third Reich S&M outfits just to feel like they belong somewhere. 

As always Synapse has included a great selection of extras.  In addition to some nice liner notes, which cover the importance of Showa era songs and what karaoke means to Japanese culture and offers a guide to the songs in the film, there is the original theatrical trailer and TV spot and a half hour making of featurette that features director Tetsuo Shinohara. 

From bazookas to javelins to the neck, there are lots of great and inventive kills featured here.  I didn’t know what to expect from a movie called Karaoke Terror.  What I got is a fun, over the top commentary on Japanese society.  If you’re looking for something different, Karaoke Terror: The Complete Japanses Showa Songbook is a solid rental.  Don’t worry if some of the finer points are lost on you, the broad strokes are so glaring, you won’t miss the point.

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