A film out of time, there's something rather tragic about Tetsuo: The Bullet Man, it's just so poorly misguided that it ends up feeling off in direct contrast to its predecessors. There's a good film in here somewhere but it feels like a film from a different era, one that for all Tsukamoto's intent does not work as intended. It's hard not to assume he knew what he was doing. When he made The Bullet Man's face first turn to iron, he must have known that face paint looks cheap. He must have known those hyper-awkward script deliveries from a cast and crew who don't share the same language as its American lead would come across as embarrassing. It certainly feels like Tsukamoto knew full well that certain elements would be off and just tried to run with it, the zaniness is here but it feels wrong. The digital look does not work for this film with the overly excessive shakey cam coming across as simply nauseating, there's rarely a moment it sits still. The film's obnoxious sound mix only alienates the audience further, with dialogue delivered in hushed whispers but seemingly everything else amped up to eleven, I found myself adjusting the volume way too often to even attempt to engage with the film. Ultimately, Tetsuo: The Bullet Man feels more like a poor man's American remake of the original duology, lacking the gonzo mystery and waking nightmare horror. Trent Reznor's theme song is a banger though.