'100 monsters' was an enjoyable, well made horror film that struggled somewhat with a lumbering pace. 'Spook warfare,' or 'The great yokai war,' was a surprisingly entertaining blend of dark fantasy and horror with a more playful levity. With the same folks behind these returning for the third entry in the series we are assured of the same level of quality, and the only question is what tone the tale will strike. As the title begins I think it becomes evident fairly quickly that it leans more toward the plainly serious side of things, like the first film, albeit while bearing remnants of the lighter edge seen in the second. 'Along with ghosts' sees the somber side borne out through a more substantial plot that carries harsh undertones, while the gentler side is seen in the sense of adventure characterizing the narrative as Miyo and Hyakasuro travel the countryside, and in the role of the titular spirits in serving as protectors of the land after a fashion. There's definitely a broad mix of flavors here, but I don't think there's much arguing that the picture's worth speaks for itself. Like its predecessors this may not demand viewership, but it's well deserving on its own merits.
It's very noteworthy that in this case the focus on plot and adventure translates to a little more of a straightforward period piece, with more action centering human characters and less emphasis on the yokai. The supernatural element doesn't even meaningfully crop up until a little less than halfway through, and still only arises only in fragments. Be that as it may the overall thrust of the proceedings remains, and the result is highly enjoyable. The sets are gorgeous and filled with outstanding detail; the filming locations are beautiful as we get select eyefuls. The stunts, effects, and action-oriented moments all look terrific - and once the fantasy rolls around, the imaginative puppetry and costume design are a delight. Meanwhile, Tetsuro Yoshida penned a compelling story of criminals roaming the countryside and a young girl seeking her father, and there's some especial small brilliance in the scene writing to consistently provide bursts of invigoration, including delicious tinges of horror. The direction and cinematography both reflect keen intelligence in capitalizing on all the minutiae in a given moment and making each as meaningful as they could be, and the cast likewise give admirable performances to bring the saga to vibrant life.
I do think there's an argument to be made that 'Along with ghosts' is marginally more scattered than its antecedents simply owing to the variety of aspects there are to the narrative. Effectively produced alongside the previous two films in Daiei's 'Yokai monsters' trilogy, there's no mistaking that the entities are reduced to supporting characters this time around, and mostly quite minor ones for that matter until the climax. Even setting that aside, there's a marked variability in tone here, with major facets of drama, action, horror, adventure, and humor cropping up in turn. Still, a complete narrative is imparted, and it's absorbing and satisfying when all is said and done. To whatever extent there are imperfections here, they are outweighed much more than not by the earnest skill, care, and intelligence that was poured into every corner. The end result may have benefited from more focus, but even as it stands this 1969 movie is really fun, and its strengths - including even the less prominent horror - outshine its weaknesses. It's not a feature one needs to go out of their way to see, but if you do have the chance to watch Along with ghosts' is a good time all on its own and earns a solid recommendation.
It's very noteworthy that in this case the focus on plot and adventure translates to a little more of a straightforward period piece, with more action centering human characters and less emphasis on the yokai. The supernatural element doesn't even meaningfully crop up until a little less than halfway through, and still only arises only in fragments. Be that as it may the overall thrust of the proceedings remains, and the result is highly enjoyable. The sets are gorgeous and filled with outstanding detail; the filming locations are beautiful as we get select eyefuls. The stunts, effects, and action-oriented moments all look terrific - and once the fantasy rolls around, the imaginative puppetry and costume design are a delight. Meanwhile, Tetsuro Yoshida penned a compelling story of criminals roaming the countryside and a young girl seeking her father, and there's some especial small brilliance in the scene writing to consistently provide bursts of invigoration, including delicious tinges of horror. The direction and cinematography both reflect keen intelligence in capitalizing on all the minutiae in a given moment and making each as meaningful as they could be, and the cast likewise give admirable performances to bring the saga to vibrant life.
I do think there's an argument to be made that 'Along with ghosts' is marginally more scattered than its antecedents simply owing to the variety of aspects there are to the narrative. Effectively produced alongside the previous two films in Daiei's 'Yokai monsters' trilogy, there's no mistaking that the entities are reduced to supporting characters this time around, and mostly quite minor ones for that matter until the climax. Even setting that aside, there's a marked variability in tone here, with major facets of drama, action, horror, adventure, and humor cropping up in turn. Still, a complete narrative is imparted, and it's absorbing and satisfying when all is said and done. To whatever extent there are imperfections here, they are outweighed much more than not by the earnest skill, care, and intelligence that was poured into every corner. The end result may have benefited from more focus, but even as it stands this 1969 movie is really fun, and its strengths - including even the less prominent horror - outshine its weaknesses. It's not a feature one needs to go out of their way to see, but if you do have the chance to watch Along with ghosts' is a good time all on its own and earns a solid recommendation.