Finally, a Japanese gangsters-vs.-zombies film. About damned time, I say.

Two escaped convicts (they both have the word LAWBREAKER written in English down the fronts of their prison jumpsuits) go to a certain meeting place in the woods where their criminal gang is going to come pick them up. Arguments ensue, shots are fired, and everyone soon discovers that the recently- (and not-so-recently-) dead are coming back to life. The zombies immediately attack any living person near them. It turns out the forest contains the 444th portal to Hell (there are only 666) and the main bad guy wants to use it to gain ultimate power, somehow.

Versus is the type of film that a certain type of movie-watching demographic should absolutely love: fast action, lots of gunplay and martial arts, blood by the bucketful, body parts slashed here and there, pretty girls, hideous zombies, thumping music and fast-cut editing. There’s too much gore for many viewers, and the over-the-top direction may turn off others; but a lot of young people would probably love this movie. The action starts with the very first scene and doesn’t really let up until the very end. Each character is distinctive, and has his or her own unique look and fighting style or weapon (as befits most Japanese action films).

It’s not the best film in the world, but certainly not the worst. It’s kind of a big bloody, goofy mess, but in a fun way. The gangsters all look like they’re under 25 years old; only the cops arriving late to bring back the escapees look like they’d be old enough to walk into a liquor store without fear of being carded. And the main protagonist, a typical pretty-boy actor, doesn’t look tough enough to teach an inner-city kindergarten, much less battle the 500-year-old guardian of the Gate to Hell. Still, those who might possibly enjoy this type of film ought to check it out, just for the sake of being able to say they’ve done so. If for no other reason, it’s worth it just to see a guy get a fist-sized hole punched through his head, so the villain can look curiously at all the blood and brains and teeth inside.

DVD info: Released by Media Blasters. Anamorphic widescreen. Special features include choice of subtitles or dubbed; DTS 5.1 Surround sound; two commentaries; previews of four other Media Blasters releases. The Special Edition includes a making-of documentary; a 7-minute additional film; three trailers; and others. 120 gory minutes.