Death Trance (2005)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Yûji Shimomura

Writers:

Seiji Chiba (writer)
Shinichi Fujita (writer)

Release Date:

20 May 2006 (Japan)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Tagline:

An unknown time. An unknown place. Without reasons. With no future. His only desire is... Destruction!

Plot Keywords:

Angel | Martial Arts | Monk | Sword Fight | Doll

Cast

Tak Sakaguchi	...	Grave / Coffin Man
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Honoka Asada	...	Girl
Yôko Fujita	...	Goddess of destruction
Ben Hiura	...	Archbishop
Chuck Johnson	...	Muscleman
Kentaro Seagal	...	Sid
Takamasa Suga	...	Ryuen
Osamu Takahashi	...	Master
Yûki Takeuchi	...	Yuri
Hiroko Yashiki

MPAA:

Rated R for violence.

Country:

Japan | USA

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:R | Germany:16 | Australia:M

Company:

Fever Dreams

Movie Connections:

References Chôjin densetsu Urotsukidôji (1989) (V)

A Noh Play Given the Matrix Treatment

Ryuhei Kitamura 's "Versus" was an extraordinary treat. Following in similar footsteps, "Death Trance" is again a samurai tale where a lower samurai must weigh matters of principle against what is politically and financially advantageous. Shown at film festivals in Berlin & Newport Beach, the main character is Tak Saguchi whose sister marries out of the household. There is a real sweetness and innocence in the story of "Death Trance" that shows a moral compass. The performances, direction and cinematography are first-rate. Bravisimo!

On the positive side the effects are amazing. Blows away anything you'll see in any Matrix film. The cinematography is also top notch! With a strong enough plot this would have made an amazing movie.