Blu-ray Review: HELTER SKELTER (2012)

HELTER SKELTER

Directed by:  Mika Ninagawa

Distributed by:  88 Films / MVD Entertainment

"Why do the Gods give us youth and beauty....then take them away?"

"Youth is beautiful, but beauty isn't youth"

  I love when I get a film in for review that I have never heard of before.  HELTER SKELTER is one of those for sure.   The only HELTER SKELTER film I knew about was the 1976 TV mini-series about Charles Manson and some of the newer films of the same name about the Manson Murders.   This HELTER SKELTER has nothing to do with that at all.   HELTER SKELTER in this case is just a term for total chaos, which is what our main character, Lilico, goes through throughout the film. 

  IMDb.com classifies this film as Body Horror and Psychological Drama.  I wouldn't really call this a horror film by any means, but it does have one bloody scene.  This is definitely more of a very dark drama film.   I just want to make sure to point that out so you don't go into this thinking you are going too see anything scary or frightening.   

  This might be a hard film to review, just because it is so hard to describe.  So much is going on in this film and it's hard to categorize.  Here is the basic plot of the film courtesy of the 88 Films website:

 Top model and fashion idol Lilico (Erika Sawajiri) is used to being the centre of attention – the living epicentre of her own universe and of a multimedia-saturated hyperreality in which everything is airbrushed and colour-adjusted to perfection. When she begins to suffer traumatic side effects from her repeated illegal cosmetic surgery sessions, she finds fame comes at a cost, as she is plunged into a nightmarish world where her sense of self-image and identity begins to fracture. 

 One thing I loved about this film was the cinematography.   The way this movie is filmed  is so interesting, and kudos to whoever edited this film.  So many quick cuts and scene changes had to be a pain to edit.   The most striking thing about this film were the sets and the use of color.    The color in this film is amazing and total eye candy for sure.  

 The film follows Lilico, starting at the height of her popularity.  She is on the cover of every fashion magazine and just a huge star.  She starts to see her popularity fade and a new young model starting to take her place.   To combat this, Lilico goes to a cosmetic surgery center and undergoes multiple surgeries and uses multiple pills and supplements to keep her looking young.    Over time, all these procedures start causing some side effects, starting with dark spots on her body.   Unfortunately she his becoming darker inside as well as she starts becoming a horrible person, and treating people worse and worse, taking advantage of her notoriety and fame. 

 I can't help but think the creators of the film THE SUBSTANCE must have got a lot of inspiration from this film.    THE SUBSTANCE took the same plot and ideas, but multiplied them drastically.    While the character in THE SUBSTANCE turned into a literal monster, Lilico turned into a monster of a person.   

 This is a strange film for sure, but one I thoroughly enjoyed.   I highly recommend it!

 HELTER SKELTER is available now and contains the following Special Features:

*  Numbered OBI Strip [4000]

*  Original and Newly Commissioned Artwork by Luke Insect

*  Booklet Essay by Violet Burns

*  High-Definition Blu-ray Presentation in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio

*  Original Japanese 5.1 / Stereo Audio with New English Subtitles

*  Interviews with Erika Sawaji and Director Mika Ninagawa

*  Behind the Scenes Footage of the Making of Helter Skelter

*  Production Site Press Conference

*  Japanese Premiere Stage Greeting

*  Opening Day Stage Greeting

*  Taipei Film Festival Introduction by Mika Ninagawa

*  Stills Gallery

*  Teasers and Trailers 

*  Region A/B Coding

This was released as a limited edition Blu-ray with a run of only 4000 units, so get your copy before it's gone!

CLICK HERE to purchase the Limited Edition Blu-ray