Runtime: 96 minutes
Directed by: Umberto Lenzi
Starring: Glenn Saxon,
Helga Line, Andrea Bosic, Ivano Staccioli, Esmeralda Ruspoli
From: Several European
companies
Here's an obscure yet interesting Euro mystery thriller sort of thing from the 60's:
La Parka as a movie villain.
I reference the Mexican wrestling
(lucha libre) star who is best known for wrestling in WCW during the
late 90's as the titular Kriminal here is a suave-looking gentleman who
happens to be a master thief and just because, he sometimes wears a
skeleton bodysuit w/ matching mask. Actually, this is based off of an
Italian comic book character, so that is the reason why. Also, this is
from Umberto Lenzi and that is why a few days beforehand, I created a
list on Letterboxd of his movies that I've seen; including this one it's
now at a tally of 11.
This spends more time with La Parka feelin' like a criminal and him eluding capture or dealing w/ fellow miscreants rather than Inspector Milton at Scotland Yard or any other law enforcement trying to arrest him. That manages to work well-enough here to where this was a silly yet fine yarn. It is in general a little ludicrous... then again, it's based on a comic so to me that is to be expected. There is plenty of intrigue as we get to see how Kriminal is able to outsmart and outmaneuver a variety of different people... and in a variety of locations: Italy, London, Madrid, Istanbul, & a few others. Note that shaving cream manages to provide one of the most unforgettable moments. He does kill some people, but they're usually A-holes so I guess that's alright, right? Unfortunately, he doesn't hit anyone with a steel chair.
Naturally, people will compare this with Danger: Diabolik. This is not as good as that (this is uneven at times) but it doesn't mean that you won't be entertained by this swingin' adventure that has the 60's era cool to it, especially with its groovy jazz score and animated credits.
This spends more time with La Parka feelin' like a criminal and him eluding capture or dealing w/ fellow miscreants rather than Inspector Milton at Scotland Yard or any other law enforcement trying to arrest him. That manages to work well-enough here to where this was a silly yet fine yarn. It is in general a little ludicrous... then again, it's based on a comic so to me that is to be expected. There is plenty of intrigue as we get to see how Kriminal is able to outsmart and outmaneuver a variety of different people... and in a variety of locations: Italy, London, Madrid, Istanbul, & a few others. Note that shaving cream manages to provide one of the most unforgettable moments. He does kill some people, but they're usually A-holes so I guess that's alright, right? Unfortunately, he doesn't hit anyone with a steel chair.
Naturally, people will compare this with Danger: Diabolik. This is not as good as that (this is uneven at times) but it doesn't mean that you won't be entertained by this swingin' adventure that has the 60's era cool to it, especially with its groovy jazz score and animated credits.
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