| "Black Tights Killers" fans beware: great film, but... |
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| written by CVanWagner |
June 25, 2004 - 10:02 PM PDT |
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6 out of 6 members found this review helpful
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...not what you're probably expecting.
The only two Yasuharu Hasebe films I had seen before this one ("Black Tights Killers" and "Female Prisoner Scorpion") were surreal, manic, technicolor freakouts that showed the obvious influence of Hasabe's mentor, Seijun "Tokyo Drifter" Suzuki. So it was this I was expecting with "Bloody Territories."
"Bloody Territories" couldn't be more different than those films, however. Instead of the Psychotronic, tongue in cheek insanity of "Black Tights Killers," you'll find a sober, harsh, and downright Shakespearian tragedy involving misplaced loyalty, betrayal, and death. This is no one's idea of a goofy good time film, although the complex plot and unblinking attitude make it enormously compelling.
While the action sequences exist here simply to propel the plot forward, I was reminded most of John Woo's "The Killer." Both films revolve around honor amongst thieves, betrayal, heartfelt attempts to go straight, ever shifting loyalties, respect for one's arch enemy, and death with honor. Both films are also, it must be said, enormously depressing. Not to mention that star Akira Kobayashi bears a passing resemblance to "Killer" star Chow Yun Fat. Again, the fights aren't nearly as spectacular as "The Killer," but the films are quite similar thematically.
An unexpectedly grim, realistic Yakuza film. Outstanding |
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