Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman - Takeshi Kitano. Japanese Samarai gendre.
I love this film. I love the music, pacing, composition, visuals, colours, fight scenes, cinematrography, soundtrack, sound effects, visual effects and editing. It isn't flawless, a citical eye will catch a few too-tight compositions (and will be able to appreciate what problems had to be overcome), some edits aren't really perfect, nor the music apace with the action (sometimes (very, very seldom)). As music affectionados most here will be delighted with the music track being synchronised by the action. (Not a spoiler alert, just something that will dawn on you as you go). Yeah, it's that good.
But have you ever watched a film and within the first few minutes knew that it was something special?, something great? This is that type of film. I actually had tears of joy streaming down my eyes at the end. Yeah, I got "misty". For that alone I will give it 5 headphones (
) / 98%.
Others may only give it 82 % to 90%. But if you are into reading whole scenes at once, who can appreciate pacing, composition, lighting, visuals, hidden meanings and messages, who have a spiritual 'bent' and who can see meaning in everything, you will probably appreciate this movie most. (See who wears which colours, how the blood stains mirror pictures on walls, how people mirror the scenery, etc.) If you're not up on your Kenji, make sure you watch the Special Features section... Then watch the film again and see what you missed the first time.
If you like seeing hands being chopped off (along with most other body appendages), body piercings (like a sword going through two warriors at once and both being impaled on a tree, thereby), and pails full of blood (hack and slash) being spewed out into the air, the walls, the floor, the ceiling, a lake, in the rain, a tree, the ground, ... - then this movie should delight.
Very enthusiastically and highly recommended for the Asian movie affectionado.
Get that slow-mo replay button finger ready.
If there was ever a movie that screams for a director commentary track - this movie is it.
Some of the Special Effects can be guessed at (CG, (silver tinting looks wonderful)), some can be seen in slow motion mode (mechanical devices), some you're going to be wondering, "How the heck did they do that?" Yeah the CG effects aren't the best, but neither are they all "cheesy" - but look past it and see if you're not affected, you just may find yourself bewildered and delighted.
The subtitles don't always convey the exact action - and this is one instance where the words do not always match the English translation / sound track. Some may be offended by the "r" sound where the "l" letter is said. (Kudos to the English 'translator' for Kitano - his voice has a masculinity which better exemplifies Zatoichi's character than even Kitano's natural voice and inflection). But for the most part the spoken 'Engrish' (English) meshes pretty well with the lip movement(s).
This movie just keeps delighting throughout. Just watch your reaction to the end (a dance scene) and the very end.
Watch it in the English version then watch it in the original Japanese and see if both versions are not each special in their own way.
The second time around pay closer attention to the music and sound effects... Those with 5.1 systems should be very gratified and grateful for their wise purchases. Those with DVD players that can down mix 5.1 to 2.1 will be equally pleased with headphone listening. Any high quality headphone should provide pleasing results. I think it sounds superb with the K501 or the DT880.
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