It's sick, twisted, brutal...and definitely not a chick flick. I was surprised to see how many silly fools brought their girlfriends or dates to this flick when I saw it in theaters (more than once). The tagline says it all, people!
For the initiated, aka. Japanese film fans, this is a true treat that's not being made for critical acclaim or to please these testicles that hate this movie because it's not Hana-Bi. This is just a bold film made by a self-proclaimed TV/movie fan whose attention span is almost nil, like most normal people. Miike has stated in numerous interviews that his films reflect his own impatience with movie making. He likes to shock audiences because he doesn't want people walking away from his movies forgetting what they saw. To critique this film simply because it does not fill Takeshi Kitano's shoes would be as pointless as comparing Tarantino and Aronofsky...sure they've both made INDEPENDENT films but guess what, they handle it totally different ways.
Miike has already proven that he is a capable director just to shut up those wannabe directors. He nailed AUDITION like no other person could so why should he continue to replicate that?!?! In DEAD OR ALIVE, Miike is not trying to say that he's cool and amazing. He's just trying to go the road less travelled and in my opinion, it pays off big time.
DEAD OR ALIVE is a story about gang violence, that touches down on police corruption and family all coming to a boil in the crime-laden Shinjuku district of Japan. Blood is spilled...as well as other bodily fluids because this is a world that is not typically viewed in gangster films. That is the reason why it's different, because you're actually seeing something that you aren't used to.
A lot has been said about the beginning and end but don't go into the movie just for those two aspects. Miike clearly has taken great care to treat the viewer to a story that has more depth then you'd expect while at the same time NOT trying to cram some "holier than thou" message down your throats.
The acting is great, the directing is terrific along with that gorgeous camerawork, and the score is both ominous and memorable each time it slowly creeps into the audio to highlight specific shots/scenes. Riki Takeuchi and Sho Aikawa are master onscreen adversaries that prove your worst enemy can have the most in common with you.
In the end, DEAD OR ALIVE: HANZAISHA is an excellent film that sets out to do exactly what it's director wanted it to do. Stay in your memory.
p.s: for those testy testicles out there that think that every japanese movie is supposed to be high art, lay off the hashish and let human beings make popcorn munching entertainment.
For the initiated, aka. Japanese film fans, this is a true treat that's not being made for critical acclaim or to please these testicles that hate this movie because it's not Hana-Bi. This is just a bold film made by a self-proclaimed TV/movie fan whose attention span is almost nil, like most normal people. Miike has stated in numerous interviews that his films reflect his own impatience with movie making. He likes to shock audiences because he doesn't want people walking away from his movies forgetting what they saw. To critique this film simply because it does not fill Takeshi Kitano's shoes would be as pointless as comparing Tarantino and Aronofsky...sure they've both made INDEPENDENT films but guess what, they handle it totally different ways.
Miike has already proven that he is a capable director just to shut up those wannabe directors. He nailed AUDITION like no other person could so why should he continue to replicate that?!?! In DEAD OR ALIVE, Miike is not trying to say that he's cool and amazing. He's just trying to go the road less travelled and in my opinion, it pays off big time.
DEAD OR ALIVE is a story about gang violence, that touches down on police corruption and family all coming to a boil in the crime-laden Shinjuku district of Japan. Blood is spilled...as well as other bodily fluids because this is a world that is not typically viewed in gangster films. That is the reason why it's different, because you're actually seeing something that you aren't used to.
A lot has been said about the beginning and end but don't go into the movie just for those two aspects. Miike clearly has taken great care to treat the viewer to a story that has more depth then you'd expect while at the same time NOT trying to cram some "holier than thou" message down your throats.
The acting is great, the directing is terrific along with that gorgeous camerawork, and the score is both ominous and memorable each time it slowly creeps into the audio to highlight specific shots/scenes. Riki Takeuchi and Sho Aikawa are master onscreen adversaries that prove your worst enemy can have the most in common with you.
In the end, DEAD OR ALIVE: HANZAISHA is an excellent film that sets out to do exactly what it's director wanted it to do. Stay in your memory.
p.s: for those testy testicles out there that think that every japanese movie is supposed to be high art, lay off the hashish and let human beings make popcorn munching entertainment.