Under the Radar DVD of the Week: 'Karate-Robo Zaborgar'

“Karate-Robo Zaborgar”

Nobody does weird metal-robo sci-fi like the Japanese (think “Big Bad Beetleborgs,” “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” and of course the whole “Transformers” universe), and now a popular 1970s TV series, “Denjin Zaborgar,” is resurrected and transformed into a full-length feature in “Karate-Robo Zaborgar,” due out on DVD Tuesday.

It’s a typically loopy and entertaining concept in which rebel police officer Daimon inherits from his late father a transformer-like robot called Zaborgar that’s part heavily armed motorcycle and all karate expert. The unlikely partners in justice take on Sigma, an evil criminal cabal that’s responsible for the death of Daimon’s dad.

But soon a beautiful female robot under Sigma’s control comes between the crime-fighters and their partnership, as well as their tight friendship, is shattered.