Lo Chiamavano Jeeg Robot is an Italian foreign language film
about a small town crook who gains real life superpowers after surviving an
accident.
The film follows its main character as
he attempts to get even with a gang leader who sets a bounty for his head.
Lo Chiamavano Jeeg Robot touches on themes relating to the modern
Italian underworld while shedding light on how many of us fall in love with archetypal
comic book heroes.
Synopsis
Lo Chiamavano Jeeg Robot’s main character and anti-hero is
Enzo. Besides looking vaguely like Andre the Giant, he lives a lonely life of
crime. This life sees him doing odd jobs here and there while he sulks in
depression in a block tower slum.
While on a new job, he is blamed for a crime he did not commit by his superiors. This marks him as a scapegoat; and as we all know in the world of high stakes crime this is a huge no-no. Thus, Enzo is ordered to be killed on the spot.
While on a new job, he is blamed for a crime he did not commit by his superiors. This marks him as a scapegoat; and as we all know in the world of high stakes crime this is a huge no-no. Thus, Enzo is ordered to be killed on the spot.
However as you may have guessed, he miraculously survives his
planned death. And not only that, but he develops superpowers – pretty wicked!
After coming to terms with his new powers, Enzo aims to dive head-on into to criminal underground world along with a loyal sidekick.
After coming to terms with his new powers, Enzo aims to dive head-on into to criminal underground world along with a loyal sidekick.
The remainder of the film follows Enzo and his sidekick as
they embrace their new destiny of overthrowing their personal villains. Seeing
the twosome become like real life anime super-heroes.
Important Themes
It’s fair to say that Lo Chiamavano Jeeg Robot is a truly unique
film. It tells a story of overcoming odds by merging together worlds of fantasy, sci-fi and
crime. Making for a story filled with equal amounts of spunk and attitude.
It may not be an altogether serious film, nonetheless it still touches on some important themes when it comes to the stories we tell and the ‘truths’ we tell ourselves.
It may not be an altogether serious film, nonetheless it still touches on some important themes when it comes to the stories we tell and the ‘truths’ we tell ourselves.
In the 80’s and 90’s comic books were all the rage. As
our technology has evolved our stories have found a new medium in film.
This led to the emergence of super-hero stories moving from print to the big screen.
Meaning that all of our favourite comic book and manga heroes also made the switch over.
Subsequently,
within the past 2 decades anime, manga and other super-hero films and television
series’ have become extremely popular.
This huge popularity has taken the world by storm, not just in countries like Japan, Korea and China where anime intake is normal in daily life, seen even in ads.
This huge popularity has taken the world by storm, not just in countries like Japan, Korea and China where anime intake is normal in daily life, seen even in ads.
In 2017, Japan’s anime industry was stated as worth around 17.7 Billion dollars. Yes, you read that correctly, 17
Billion – for one country.
Moreover, with the internet and streaming becoming
evermore popular (with services like Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll
and even YouTube) the industry is reaping profits on an even bigger global
scale.
Much like the recent explosion of popularity in K-pop in the West, people here are eating all this up and becoming daily consumers of anime and other super-hero franchises.
Much like the recent explosion of popularity in K-pop in the West, people here are eating all this up and becoming daily consumers of anime and other super-hero franchises.
On a more traditional note, one doesn’t have to do much
digging when it comes to super-hero films in mainstream society here in North
America and Europe. Just look at the revolving door that is Marvel Studios that relentlessly keep on pumping out
films like a fast food restaurant. There is literally no sign of them slowing
down any time soon.
It is clear to see that we are a society that love our super-heroes. From the Iron Man to Wonder Woman to Big Hero 6 and everything in
between.
The industry will continue to grow more and more (even if it is in the
form of making newer versions of old films) as our digital world continues to evolve.
Especially with VR technology and gaming becoming more popular and more
immersive.
Conclusion
All in all Lo Chiamavano Jeeg Robot is a great film
that explores the world of heroes and villains through the experience of a
lowly criminal.
It brings together the worlds of Italian mobsters, like Suburra with an altogether different world of anime as seen in something like Dragon Ball Z.
Lo Chiamavano Jeeg Robot is comical, dramatic and thrilling adventure. It's quite unlike anything else out there. If that doesn’t entice you enough, I don’t
know what will. So go on and enjoy!
