Sky High (2003)

Sky High follows detective Kanzaki Kohei as he investigates a sudden rash of horrific murders, all of young women, involving the removal of the victim’s heart while she is still alive. This investigation becomes personal when, on Kanzaki’s wedding day, his fiance Mina comes walking down the aisle, gushing blood all over her white wedding gown from the large hole in her chest from which her heart was removed. As the now obsessed Kanzaki hunts desperately for Mina’s killer, he gradually discovers that a much more diabolical plan may be behind these murders. Meanwhile Mina finds herself standing before an immense Gate within a dark cavern. Before the Gate stands Izuko, a sworded female guardian who explains to Mina what lies before her. Mina is at this Gate because she is a murdered soul, and as such can choose one of three paths:

1. She may enter through the Gate and await reincarnation in Heaven.
2. She may remain upon the earth as a homeless, wandering spirit.
3. She may haunt and torment her murderer, the price of which will be Hell.

She is given 12 days to decide the matter, during which she hovers around Kanzaki as he continues to track down Mina’s killer. Before long, through the help of a psychic photographer whose photos reveal supernatural entities, they discover that the villain is none other than Kudo who is determined on resurrecting the Devil in a bid to revive his own beloved from her limbo between life and death. The scheme requires six living hearts, of which Mina’s was the fifth, and so the clock is ticking as Kudo sets his diabolical trap to capture his sixth victim and extract her heart!

Absolutely loved this supernatural thriller and it’s up to the usual high standards that Ryuhei Kitamura delivers. Though the plot sounds ridiculous and the acting is over the top at times I think that’s what I like about it the most. Unlike the frenetic pace of Versus, Sky High is more slow. A definite highlight is Kudo’s secretary Rei – she’s one hot chick!

Sadako’s Rating: 4 out of 5