[KFCC] Zoo Review

Story: ZOO is a collection of five short stories:

'Kazari and Yoko' A story of twins, each of whom is treated totally differently by their mother – one is loved and the other abused...

'Seven Rooms' A young boy and his older sister find themselves trapped in a small concrete room. The boy is small enough to squeeze into the rooms next to them where he finds other trapped girls who tell him that they will be killed, one each day, by their unknown kidnapper...

'So-Far' A young boys' mother and father go out together one evening and are involved in an accident. On their return the boy can see his parents, but they cannot see each other...

'Hidamari No Shi' An android girl is created by a young man who tells her that he is going to die...

'Zoo' A young man takes endless pictures of his girlfriend, much to her annoyance. While exploring an empty Zoo together, the girl tells the man that she is sick of his camera and that their relationship is over, but the man has other plans...

Review: Each of ZOO's five stories are totally unrelated - other than the fact that they're quite strange and, in their own way, unsettling. These aren't horror stories in the sense that they're extreme or even actually scary, instead they have a thoughtful 'chill factor' (as in 'creepy') – relying on use of suggestion and drama to produce some off-kilter ideas.

The collection kicks off with 'Kazari and Yoko', a slow but interesting story of twins who are each treated very differently by their only parent. Taking a gentle pace, this simple story unwinds in almost an awkward fashion. It isn't explained what the situation is between this strange little family, forcing you to concentrate on a more than decent dual performance by the young Ryoko Kobayashi. The conclusion to 'Kazari and Yoko''s may not totally surprise you - and you WILL be waiting for something to happen as it builds a sense of anticipation, even if you haven't guessed where it is going - but it's nicely delivered and has a tone that is balanced between humour and horror.

After 'Kazari and Yoko', we have 'Seven Rooms'. Easily the strongest of the collection, it's best enjoyed knowing absolutely nothing about it. With a strong, creepy central concept that isn't overstretched, 'Seven Rooms' has a simplicity to it that makes it the most tense and urgent of the films on offer here. Unsettlingly in its growing atmosphere of impeding danger, 'Seven Rooms' is one of the best short films that I've ever seen. While it won't necessarily compare to longer length films which have the time to build some depth, it's a very good example of how a short story can pack a punch. It's short and, well, not so sweet.
'So-Far' is next on the bill. After the tense 'Seven Rooms', 'So Far''s slow pace seems a bit TOO slow. This is still an interesting well acted gentle little story though, and it's final explanation will either make you raise your eyebrows in cynicism, or smile because it's a little different and unexpected.

Last but one in the running order is 'Hidamari No Shi'. An animated short, it's great to look at and its gentle pace manages to totally pull you in. There's the sense that something is not quite right throughout 'Hidamari No Shi' which focuses your attention, as well as hypnotising you with its stylised look. With some nice understated voice acting completing the package, 'Hidamari No Shi' maybe the most thoughtful of all of these stories, and is worth returning to again.
Finally we come to 'Zoo', the title story for this strange little group of stories. Sadly the collection doesn't go out with a bang as much as a whimper because 'Zoo' is the weakest story in the package. A single good idea is overstretched and pumped for too much effect. What could have been an interesting five minute short becomes a slow bloated, plodding story. 'Zoo' feels a disappointment after watching the other four in the collection. It's worth sticking with to the end, but you're very unluckily to want to revisit it.

ZOO is an above average collection of stories, with two that are highly recommended, two slightly more average but enjoyable ones, and one lame duck thrown in for good measure. The collection watched in the running order on the DVD feels a little uneven in its pacing – re-jiggling the running order to open with 'Zoo' and end with 'Seven Rooms' would help – but each story can be watched individually anyway. For gruesome, twisted thrills you need to go elsewhere, but for some thoughtful and gently unsettling stories ZOO is worth a look.