4Digital Media DVD Synopsis: Recovering from a failed love affair Shiyori (Nao Matsushita) heads to the country, in the company of best friend and bad girl Aiko (J-Pop star Ami Suzuki). Having taken a long soak in the hot springs, they retire to their respective cabins. They soon discover that the tranquil village is the home of a cult with a fetish for cutting off female legs. Trying to escape they are split up and keep in touch via their mobile phones. Multiple points of view and time frames keeps the viewer on their toes trying to discern the grisly fate of these 'lost' girls.

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Views: It's taken me some time to watch Kenta Fukasaku's wild horror-comedy XX, although not for any particular reason other than I have never gotten around to watching it. And I have to admit, regardless of the few flaws it may have running throughout it, I thoroughly enjoyed what he had delivered. The simple plot of X-Cross tells the story of close friends Shiyori and Aiko, who have travelled to the remote mountain village of Ashikari for a stay at their hot-springs resort to help the Shiyori get over the heartbreak of her latest relationship. But things are certainly not what they seem from the crazy locals to their dinner menu, and it doesn't take long for them both to learn about the real intentions of the villagers. After getting separated, each of the girls must run for their lives and fight against the blood thirsty village cult who are determined to take their legs, no matter what!

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If you can imagine an outrageous Japanese take on The Wicker Man (1973) mixed with the dark humour of British television series The League Of Gentlemen (1999), then you'll know just what you are going into when you sit down to watch X-Cross. Although it's first third offers a much more serious and atmospheric approach, the second starts to tweak things somewhat until its final third just goes all-out in a totally wild finale. Kenta had some big shoes to fill after taking over the reigns from his father – legendary filmmaker, Kinji Fukasaku – who had passed during production of Battle Royale 2 (2003). With all directorial duties now handed over to him, Kenta received some harsh criticism of his vision, although I personally think he did a fine job for his first feature as a director. Of course, he had already had some experience as the second unit director on the first film as well as having penned the scripts for both, but it was also unfair to compare his works to that of his father's, who had been working in the industry from the early 60s, and had almost 70 credits to his name before passing including titles such as Street Mobster (1972), Battles Without Honour & Humanity (1973), Graveyard Of Honor (1975), Doberman Cop (1977), Samurai Reincarnation (1981), Legend Of The 8 Samurai (1983), Triple Cross (1992), and the box-office smash, Battle Royale (2000). And while the super-fun Yo-Yo Girl Cop (2006) would be the only other Kenta Fukasaku movie I would have seen, the man has went on to direct a few more titles including thrillers like Kill (2008) and Black Rat (2010), before delving into more drama-based films such as We Can't Change The World. But, We Wanna Build A School In Cambodia (2011) and Map Of Summer Vacation (2013). Personally, I think he should have stuck with this kind of thing! While he isn't the steadiest of directors, it's clear that Kenta has some passion behind the lens when it comes to creating something a bit wild and I think that X-Cross is one of his most entertaining to date.

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As mentioned, the opening sequences of X-Cross are filled with beautifully filmed atmospheric shots that reminded me very much of the classic slasher flicks from the late 70s/early 80s. These are interrupted here and there as Kenta adapts a more modern take on things, blending CGI works with his cell-phone subplot that all makes a little sense in the end. These particular scenes take the viewer on a journey through time as it throws us back to certain moments of the story – all told from different characters viewpoints and situations which works actually shakes things up and saves X-Cross from becoming just 'another' slasher film before its manic ending is revealed. The film is based on a novel by Joko Nobuyuki, with a screenplay by popular scribe Oishi Tetsuya – the same man behind Muscle Heat (2002) with Kane Kosugi, Death Note 1 & 2 (2006) (live action), the vangtastic Higanjima: Escape From Vampire Island (2009), Takashi Miike's Blade Of The Immortal (2017), and a host of Japanese television shows. The film stars television actress Nao Matsushita as Shiyori, the hapless victim who spends the majority of her time on the run or on the phone, trying to figure out who she can trust as well as avoiding the town crazies. Her friend Aiko is played by Ami Suzuki, an J-Pop star and actress who steals the show when she lets loose on one of the film's main villains – an insanely jealous killer with some deadly blades in the form of large scissors. Another one of the village freaks is played by the great Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, a face that has gained a little more notoriety after he faced off against Donnie Yen in the awesome Ip Man (2008), Jackie Chan in the fun Railroad Tigers (2016), and The Wrath Of Vajra (2013) with Yu Xing, as well as Japanese productions such as Blues Harp (1998), Space Travelers (2000), Avenging Blade (2009), and Space Battleship Yamato (2010).

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While X-Cross has suffered many mixed reviews over the years, with most attacking Kenta as a director, I personally really enjoyed the film and felt it was a nice break from the collection of gore-filled OTT and white-faced ghostly J-horror we were getting around that time. Yes it has plenty of horror elements, some great bloody moments, and some nice action sequences, but it never goes into Machine Girl (2008) or Tokyo Gore Police (2008) territory – merely just dipping its toe in that direction. The action was handled by the brilliant Yokoyama Makoto, long time action-choreographer (and director) of the Power Rangers (1995-2023) television show who also worked on film such as the amazing Drive (1997), the live-action version of Tokyo Ghoul (2017), K-20 (2008), and Kenta Fukasaku's Yo-Yo Girl Cop (2006) – as well as directing the fun Shadow Fury (2001) and Wicked Game (2002) along with his long time partner-in-crime, Koichi Sakamoto of the highly regarded action team, Alpha Stunts. Ignore the negative reviews and give X-Cross a shot. It's harmless fun and offers horror fans and action fans alike, something to enjoy!

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Overall: Broody, different, and entertaining, X-Cross has plenty of great horror and action to keep viewers glued!

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DVD Extras: Making of Documentary, Deleted Scenes, Cast Interviews, Ashikari Village Feature, Trailer