Zatoichi (DVD)

...the story and character of Zatoichi is a much loved Japanese legend and has a similar folklore standing to our Robin Hood in England. It is also a popular series of novels by the late Kan Shimozawa, which have been the basis for a steady amount of “Zatoichi” films from 1962 to the present day. So to make a remake of said beloved character must exceed the expectations of the Japanese populace not to mention the highly difficult foreign markets. Not ...
...starring role as well, as Zatoichi himself, a gamble perhaps or even a brief lapse in self judgement but one thing is clear, Kintano triumphs in spades. We open brilliantly with Zatoichi (Kintano) sitting out on a log by the roadside, sunning his face when a group of mercenary/assassins come over the hill. After taking care of business (I’ll leave that to your imagination), Zatoichi continues on his road and ends up in a small town that is being ...

DarkMark 18.01.2005 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Zatoichi (DVD)

...Set in 19th century Japan, Zatoichi [Takeshi Kitano] is a blind masseur who arrives in a remote mountain town. Here he discovers the Ginzo gang are terrorizing the locals with extortionate protection fees, aided by a skilled samurai ronin, Hattori [Tadanobu Asano]. After befriending unlucky gambler Shinkichi [Guadalcanal Taka], he meets two geisha who have sworn to avenge the deaths of the parents. With an inevitable confrontation, Zatoichi must ...
...like his earlier Yakuza efforts. Zatoichi himself is a brilliantly cool and unhurried hero who appears always in total control, played in traditional Kitano Hana-bi style, a subdued personality that suddenly emerges confrontations. The violence occurs in his traditionally short and sudden bursts, often gory but not purely gratuitous, and he also includes a few trademark scenes where the violence occurs outside of the frame. Finally, he weaves in ...

PriyanPhoenix 27.06.2007 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Zatoichi (DVD)

Zatoichi is a blindman, a masseur by trade. However, Zatoichi holds a secret. He is a master swordsman, able to strike with surgical precision. Set in feudal Japan, this remake sees Zatoichi wander to a country village, where he helps a woman farmer carry her crop of vegetable to her home. As a way of thanks, she offers Zatoichi a place to stay. During his stay at her home, he finds out that a criminal gang, the Ginzo gang, has taken over the village, ...
...gambling friend. During this meeting, Zatoichi learns that the two Geishas are on a hunt for the murderers of their family, the Narutos. It comes to light that certain members of the Ginzo gang are the ones responsible for the slaughter of the Naruto family. As the Ginzo gang tighten their grip over the village, and destroy all opposition, Zatoichi is forced to react. In the final showdown, who will be victorious? This remake of the famous Zatoichi ...

filmfreak2005 05.08.2005 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Zatoichi (DVD)

...He plays the role of Zatoichi superbly, the blind swordsman/masseur. Zatoichi parades as a masseur earning his living in that fashion (apart from gambling). Kitano portrays him has being a rather humble individual, but behind that shroud of humility lies a deadly swordsman who is a match for any human being. Zatoichi wanders into a remote village at the mercy of the ruthless Ginzo, a gang leader. He then meets an old woman whose abode he stays in, ...
...There are a few light hearted moments in the film, none more so than the ending, but overall, the tone of the movie is finely balanced, always having a sort of "action/adventure" theme to it. The fight scenes are awesome, the swordplay is fantastic. The blood may seem a little too "CGI" but that was the intention of the director, to reduce the impact of the numerous on screen kills. The movie contains 5.1 sound, and the DVD video quality is great, ...

sghosh 04.07.2006 (12.07.2006) · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Zatoichi (DVD)

...The action is spectacular. Zatoichi revels in brutal sword fights, with CGI blood spurting all over the screen. Although very violent, the movie has a surprisingly gentle humour. The characters are believable, aided by fine performances, and give substance to what could otherwise have been a tawdry exercise in bloody excess. Zatoichi is an action movie with a heart. From start to finish Zatoichi never has a dull moment, and when it's over you'll ...

djlumpy 26.09.2004 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Zatoichi (DVD)