![]() In fact, the film probably takes this element to even further extremes than the game did. The direction of the game continually fetishized Bayonetta to an outrageous degree, framing shots and action sequences around the protagonist’s assets, and the film does the same – oftentimes there are shots of secondary characters talking, with the camera behind Bayonetta, foregrounding her backside so egregiously that it’s hard not to see it as parody of video games and anime more broadly, so aware are we of the male gaze in the film. What is most impressive, however, is that the filmmakers keep much of what set the first game apart (and not just the ironic J-pop inspired theme songs). It’s a mostly impressive video game adaptation, but one that does fall into some traps that such an endeavour invariably does – namely, despite an impressive attempt at narrowing down the game to a trim 90 minutes, it feels necessarily over-stuffed and plot-heavy, which leads to some uneven pacing between action setpieces. With guns as stiletto heels and liberal freedoms of space and gravity, there are some pretty out there sequences as the film unfolds. Any further plot and I’d lose you, but that’s the premise from which the film progresses, and with flashbacks and narration the film pulls together the tapestry of the story alongside frequent stunning fight sequences. Enter Bayonetta, awakening after several centuries with no memory of her past, mysteries which she uncovers alongside a young girl who calls her “Mommy”, a human journalist who claims she killed his father and another witch with mysterious motives who seems to be Bayonetta’s equal in combat. The opening narration fills us in with some crucial context as to the universe’s wider mythology – an age-old war waged between angels (Lumen Sages) and Umbra witches, thought to be long dormant. ![]() The franchise hasn’t led to multiple AAA sequel titles – Bayonetta 2 was a Wii-exclusive – but spawned an anime film adaptation released in November last year in a limited Japanese theatrical run, and it makes its way to home video via Madman this month. Either way, it was a game that, pardon the pun, pushed buttons. With Sexy Librarian™ glasses and an anatomically impossible figure, dressed in tight leather that was off as often as it was on, Bayonetta was a physically ludicrous invention at odds with what is otherwise a rare characterisation – a strong female figure with independent and violent tendencies who doesn’t form romantic relationships across her narrative arc. But most notable was the character of Bayonetta herself, who, depending on your viewpoint, was either one of the most sexist and exploitative examples of the misogynist hyper-sexualisation of female game characters, or a perfect postmodern satire and indictment of those same tropes. The critically acclaimed but (perhaps tellingly) commercially underwhelming Bayonetta was almost an instant cult hit in 2009 a combat-heavy game along the lines of the God of War or Devil May Cry franchises, with a rich mythology and backstory that, despite its linear plotting, felt expansive, combined with a love of kitsch and tongue-in-cheek cheese alongside its saga of angels and demons. Her search for answers leads to encounters with a mysterious - and eerily familiar - little girl, a vengeance-obsessed journalist, and a deadly white-haired beauty that seems to know more about BAYONETTA than the witch herself.Considering the loaded discourse around video games and gender at the moment, a character like Bayonetta – already a polarising one – seems particularly ripe for revisiting. Aided in her quest by the clandestine weapon smith Rodin - and his deadly creations: Scarborough Fair BAYONETTA continues to leave a trail of angel corpses in her irresistible wake. Based on the best-selling franchise, this pulse-pounding feature length anime shows you a side of BAYONETTA you've never seen before! Twenty years after her awakening, the hottest witch in gaming history is still searching for clues that could help unravel the mysteries of her dark past. The cutting-edge studio behind AFRO SAMURAI brings to life the sexy, stylish, and undeniably-badass video game vixen who prowls the shadows of your wildest dreams.
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