MIRAGEMAN DVD Mini Review

[toddly6666]

http://www.flixray.com/dvd_covers/200910/121120.jpg

It's been a while since we saw a good superhero movie such as The Dark Knight, Iron Man, and this year's Watchmen. It's the fall now, and there aren't any other live-action movies coming from Marvel or D.C...but there's always MIRAGEMAN to satisfy one's superhero movie craving!

I was shocked to see the DVD of this film in stores today? I had no idea. Just the other day, I was reading movie news that this film may be released in 3-D? Well, i'm pretty disappointed with DVDTalk for not really mentioning this dvd release. I just had no idea it was being released on NTSC Region 1 by MAGNET so soon. The DVD back cover even has a marketing quote by DVDTalk, "HIGH-OCTANE ACTION...WILL MAKE YOU SAY 'WOW,' OUT LOUD." Does anyone at DVDTalk know that they are being quoted on the DVD back cover?

I didn't expect much from MIRAGEMAN as I anticipated KILTRO for such a long time. After waiting and waiting to see the release of KILTRO, my expectations were raised pretty high, and then after watching that film, it turned out to be just okay. So I lowered my expectations for MIRAGEMAN after reading all the hype for this Marko Zaror film. MIRAGEMAN is such a better film! For anyone that knows the story of KICK-ASS, this movie is sort of like a Chilean version of KICK-ASS. Instead of a puny little nerd trying to be a vigilante superhero, it's played by a shy, disturbed martial-arts asskicker played by Marko Zaror. This movie is probably the best example of a realistic superhero movie so far. Unlike KILTRO, the filmmaking is truely excellent in MIRAGEMAN. Marko Zaror's character evolved so naturally - the origin aspect in this film beats any other superhero movie featuring an origin. As Mirageman evolves, it's sad and funny from beginning to end. This film was almost like Buster Keaton in a martial-arts film. It's more Buster Keaton than Jackie Chan, since Jackie Chan films are all uplifting and cheerful. MIRAGEMAN is sort of a disturbing, realistic movie which stars a sad and disturbed character. The action was good in this film, but I think the evolvement and storyline is much better. This movie has non-stop action, but Mirageman is so interesting eventhough he barely talks and he is a simple, disturbed, and traumatized person. His reasons for becoming a superhero is great - much more realistic than what CHOCOLATE (the Thai movie starring an austistic martial-arts girl)was going for. Mirageman wants to make his younger institutionalized brother happy. Mirageman wants to impress the "Lois Lane" character in this film because he's obsessed with her. The story is very simple, but it's great stuff. Great action, good acting, and a totally touching movie. It also feels like a great 1970s film as well!

The DVD by MAGNET is good enough. Anamorphic Widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1 or 2.0 - original Spanish or English dub. Great English subtitles. The only extras is a 7-minute making-of and some trailers.

FILM: 8.5
DVD VIDEO: 8
DVD AUDIO: 8
EXTRAS: 1

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[flixtime]

Appreciate the review toddly. I thought perhaps this would be one to pick up during the next DD sale, but it looks like Wal-mart has put it on some sort of super-discount even though it is a new release (and Amazon has matched the price...or maybe it was the other way, no matter). Everywhere else has it for $19 and over, but Wal-mart and Amazon are offering it at $10.

[BuddhaWake]

the humor in this movie is really what made it for me. I will be picking up the dvd for sure. I've yet to see kiltro but this one was pretty good and I love the soundtrack.

[texasgator]

The 3D version is an English language remake of the film, also starring Marko Zaror, called Defender 3D. It has a website up here (http://defender3d.com/).

Last week at Fantastic Fest, I caught the new Espinoza/Zaror film MANDRILL and it was terrific. It's like a James Bond/hitman/revenge movie. Now I need to catch up and watch KILTRO and MIRAGEMAN.

Thanks for the Walmart tip!

[toddly6666]

The 3D version is an English language remake of the film, also starring Marko Zaror, called Defender 3D. It has a website up here (http://defender3d.com/).

I like how he looks like Zartan (from G.I. Joe) in that photo!

[flixtime]

I enjoyed KILTRO, and I enjoyed MIRAGEMAN even more. From what I recall MIRAGEMAN is a more grounded and natural effort than KILTRO (not saying that is a better (or worse) thing because I appreciated KILTRO too for its quirkiness). I thought the action in MIRAGEMAN was far more interesting than in KILTRO. Both films made nice use of humor. I was pleasantly surprised by the strength of the storytelling in MIRAGEMAN, and unlike most of the recent mega-budget Hollywood superhero flicks (with the exception of HANCOCK), MIRAGEMAN actually connected with me beyond see-it-and-forget-it technical wizardry. MIRAGEMAN played well in terms of having heart and soul, while also seeming to be an accurate reflection of the current nature of mass media, mankind, and such. And the female reporter character in this film reminded me how lacking the current batch of actresses in Hollywood are in terms of sex appeal.