In this second film in the Stray Cat Rock series, a
gang of delinquents try to cheer up their down-in-the-dumps leader, Taki (Takeo
Chii). His spirits brighten when he falls for the rich, horseback riding Asako (Bunjaku Han). When his buddies find a huge munitions stash, they horde the weapons
for themselves. Meanwhile, Taki and his new
girlfriend join a religious youth group and he even signs the gang up, causing
them to question his sanity. However,
it’s all a ruse to steal the church’s donation box. Naturally, his trigger-happy friends bring their
guns to the heist, and things end in predictably tragic fashion.
As with the first Stray Cat Rock movie, Delinquent
Girl Boss, Wild Jumbo is episodic and slow moving. The gang in this one feel much too naïve and
unthreatening to make it worthwhile. In
fact, some scenes play like a Japanese version of a Beach Party movie. I did like the part when a rival gang came
after them and comic book thought bubbles and random cartoon inserts where humorously utilized. The snazzy
harmonica-driven score is pretty cool too.
Despite one or two nifty moments, Wild Jumbo commits
a fatal sin by having the usually dynamic Meiko (Lady Snowblood) Kaji relegated
to the role of the “girl”. Most of the
time, she just sits next to Taki, not doing a whole lot. At times she almost blends in with the
background. Wasting her considerable talents
like this is downright criminal and unforgivable if you ask me. Kaji gets to sing one song (at a campground),
which is okay, but it’s far from her best stuff. The same can be said for the movie itself.
No comments:
Post a Comment