July 26, 2004
Zatoichi Review
Our friend Cal Garingan, an emerging filmmaker (winner
of the the NFB Reel Diversity Western Region) reviews Takeshi Kitano's take on Zatoichi. Will see it tonight myself... how can you improve on somethings as awesome as the original?
Zatoichi [official movie site]
Review of Zatoichi
by Cal GaringanLast time you probably heard from Cal's Critic Corner, "Eternal Sunshine of
the Spotless Mind" meritted a few celluloid stars. This time "The Blind
Swordsman: Zatoichi" snatches a few well-deserved sparklies--a film that I
almost
didn't get to see if not for a couple of friends who made sure I saw it with
them.
In the popular western world, this film will undoubtedly jog memories of the
"Kill Bill" movies for its salacious sword-slashing scenes succulently
sensationalized by sizzling samurais wielding swift dexterity and sleight of
hand.
But there's more to "Zatoichi" than fanciful quick-draws and beaucoup blood
baths. The latest installment to a series similar to "James Bond, 007", this
film showcases the best use of sound, music, and editing since "The Color
Purple"
and "Apocalypse Now". (It even reminded me of Michael Jackson's "Black or
White" video in the film's finale.) I know these comparisons may seem a tad
far-fetched, but I think they will make sense to those who remember.
I saw "Zatoichi" without any expectations other than to throw caution to the
wind by allowing a couple of friends to choose what film we were going to see.
Badaboom-badabing, what a boon! I should warn you though that the film is
Japanese, so you do have to read subtitles. Oh, darn.... This also means
that
there are culturally-driven, directorial choices that may be a little odd or
too esoteric for the Hollywood-weaned among us. As they say, "Dakara...."
I should then appeal that the film is not a perfect one. (Don't come hurling
machetes and daggers at me.) Just like any pre-op-plastic-surgery duckling,
there are a couple of things in the film that could have gone under the knife
for cosmetic purposes, easily transforming this into a "swan" of a movie.
Lest we forget, life is not perfect, neither are we.
If you find yourself this weekend, staring up at the marquee, looking for
something refreshing yet profound, poignant yet entertaining, you just might
want
to do what I did:
Toss yourself into this blind man's sword.
Kampai,
Cal Garingan
I liked this movie, however it does have flaws. It was interesting how the director used so many different genres from classic samurai, slapstick, to basically a curtain call kinda scene.
Anyway, it's fun to watch and I can only hope Azumi can come out over here...lol..
Posted by: Keiichi Morisato at July 26, 2004 01:30 PM
I borrowed this DVD from a friend but the dam thing cut out on my when they drew on his face/eyes.
So I didnt see the finale scene but have seen pics of it and, ya, i can see some resemblences to the Black or White video (maybe the cowboys and indians scene?).
Zatoichi is actually quite similar to Kill Bill in that is giving its props to the samurai movies (or a specific movie/tv series) of the past but with some modern twists and personal touches of the director. And I think those personal touches of both directors are actually quite similar aswell (not just in these two movies) in that they combine well built up scenes of tension in their own quirked out ways, outrageous violence, black humour, etc. The only major diff. is that Tarantino cant act.
My dad, who hates Kitano, predictably said the same thing when he sees the current Bond films, that no one could replace the originator but thats not how i see Kitano's version or even the new 007 flicks. I think they're just keepin the vibe alive.
For the flipside of the coin (from ALL samurai movies), check out the Twilight Samurai starring Hiroyuki Sanada (the second man up in the Last Samurai who had the tussel with Cruise). Its the unglorified and rarely seen version of the samurai.
Posted by: Boon at July 26, 2004 01:30 PM
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