User Reviews

Tera Senshi Boy (Tele(pathic) Warrior - Boy) is your atypical, lighthearted and whimsical 80's idol film that was more about showcasing and promoting the talents of a J-pop (Japanese Pop) singing idol (here the fetching Kikuchi Momoko) than about really telling a good story. Kikuchi Momoko was among a handful of hugely popular, cute-as-a-button, Japanese Pop music idols who were tapped to extend their talents from beyond the music scene and into TV and movies (other notables were Nakayama Miho, Yakushimaru Hiroko, Matsuda Seiko, Harada Tomoyo and Saito Yuki). While Yakushimaru (Sailor Fuku To Kikanjyu) and Harada (Toki O Kakeru Shojo) were the standouts, having starred in numerous Kadokawa Publishing films, Kikuchi Momoko was in her own right a definite star. In addition to having had numerous hit songs like "Seishun no Ijiwaru", "Summer Eyes", "Mo Aenai Kamo Shiranai" and "Nile in Blue", she also appeared in many Japanese commercials (CMs). I always thought she was the prettiest of the singer/idol/movie stars. "Tera Senshi Boy" was her first foray into films and was a decent one. While definitely inspired by "E.T." (1982) and "Starman" (1984) the story surprisingly has a lot in common with the current TV hit "Heroes". "Boy" begins in the past by telling of an alien entity's accidental encounter with a group of humans at a Japanese amusement park (Yomiuri Land). Flash forward 10 years and we find out that these kids (who are now adults and teens) have gained various superpowers as a result of the encounter. Kikuchi Momoko is one of those teens and finds that she now has some telekinetic ability (mostly the ability to shatter objects). Her childhood friend (who was also with her at that time) also discovers that he has similar abilities (the ability to move objects at will). Momoko (the character conveniently shares the name) also discovers that she has a psychic link with the alien 'boy' and finds that he is being held captive by a clandestine Japanese government group who wants to exploit the alien's power (oddly, the group is led by a super psychic who was horrifically disfigured by his encounter with the alien). Momoko decides to rescue the alien and gathers the remaining group of kids who were there that day and have similar super powers (a teleporter, a telepath, a telekinetic and an empath). While the premise reads well, the actual movie is more like a goofy kids Disney comedy with very little drama or action than something like "Heroes" or "X-Men". Kikuchi is the main attraction of the film and she is given the lion's share of the attention with the other characters basically just supporting her. Some may find the comedy bits too juvenile. Kikuchi also sings the theme song which was a major hit for her. Recommended to those who like idols films of the 80s and who like Kikuchi Momoko and her music.