Izo (2004) 6.1
An executed samurai takes an existential journey throughout time, space and eternity in search of bloody vengeance. Director:Takashi MiikeWriter:Shigenori Takechi (screenplay) |
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Izo (2004) 6.1
An executed samurai takes an existential journey throughout time, space and eternity in search of bloody vengeance. Director:Takashi MiikeWriter:Shigenori Takechi (screenplay) |
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| 0Share... |
| Credited cast: | |||
| Kazuya Nakayama | ... |
Okada Izo
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| Kaori Momoi |
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Ryûhei Matsuda | ... |
(as Ryuuhei Matsuda)
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Ryôsuke Miki |
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Yûya Uchida |
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Masumi Okada |
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Hiroki Matsukata |
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Hiroshi Katsuno |
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Masato |
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| Bob Sapp |
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| Takeshi Kitano | ... |
(as 'Bîto' Takeshi)
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Daijiro Harada |
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Taisaku Akino |
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Chisato Amate |
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Takeshi Caesar |
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We begin in 1865, when the Shogunate is on its last legs, but still capable of punishing its enemies. One is Izo (Kazuya Nakayama), an assassin in the service of Hanpeida (Ryosuke Miki), a Tosa lord and Imperial supporter. After killing dozens of the Shogun's men, Izo is captured and crucified. Instead of being extinguished, his rage propels him through the space-time continuum to present-day Tokyo, where he finds himself one with the city's homeless. Here Izo transforms himself into a new, improved killing machine, his entire soul still enraged by his treatment in his past life. His response to the powers-that-be, whose predecessors put him to death, is the sword. Written by nightwatch
I will be starting this review by saying that this is an EXCELLENT movie.
Miike, THE Auteur of the 21st century, is producing films at such an alarming rate that its almost impossible to keep up with the man. Yet he manages to keep producing films of an extremely high standard AND creating different and interesting techniques. Izo is another fine example of this.
The broken structure is far more complex than Nolan's 'Memento' and far more effective as it allows you to experience the agony that Izo is constantly feeling.
The constant metaphors that keep popping up throughout the non-stop carnage bring more layers to the film than any 'shock' movie yet Miike still manages to throw in a few gallons of blood and a very interesting place to hide a sword (ladies) for good measure.
So in summary a very poignant anti-war piece with some fine visual styles and some very brutal action. And a great guitarist.
Go see. And take the whole family.
Cinema at its best.