Outrage

[Drunk Monk]

The latest from Beat Takeshi. The subtitle is Way of the Yakuza, but it could have been subtitled Lopped Off Fingers. It's a lot of ugly, tattooed Japanese gangsters in suits killing each other and lopping off their fingers. It starts with a confusing amount of characters but the cast gets narrowed over the course of the film. Lots of cold-blooded hits (some really gritty kills), punitive punches to the face and of course, lopped off fingers. Takeshi has engaging cinematographic flair and his twitch is captivating. I enjoy the Confucian elements in Asian gangster movies, plus this story has a tactical theme of double-crossing that's entertaining. I wouldn't say to go out of your way for this one, but there are worse ways you could kill an hour and a half.

It's all about the hits and the lopped off fingers. No sword fights but a tanto is used well....to lop off a finger.

[Drunk Monk]

Another from Beat. A sequel? Maybe. The truth is I had a hard time following it, even with subs. It's a lot of ugly, tattooed Japanese gangsters in suits killing each other. Not as much finger lopping, some talk about it and only one very intense finger lop. A confusing amount of characters but the cast gets narrowed dramatically in the last half hour or so. Lots of cold-blooded hits - quick and dirty stuff. Nothing quite up to a horse head in bed, but there's some fine visceral Yakuza moments. It's like an old samurai flick as Yakuza and cops explore Machiavellian-manipulations using their gangster code of honor. There's a realness to Beat's Yakuza flicks. Only some hang out in opulent villains' lairs - the top bosses. The rest are in rundown offices tucked in dilapidated buildings and baseball batting cages (best use of a batting cage in a yakuza flick, btw). Beat is still charismatic in the role - his face looks like the bastard son of Charlie Bronson and Bill Murray that was beaten with a bat - he's got a natural stocky toughness and the best cold stare. No sword fights. Lots of gunplay. Lots and lots. I do enjoy yakuza films now and again and this one was satisfying yet not worth going far out of your way to see.

[Drunk Monk]

On a lark, I went back for this, which is considered Beat's Yakuza masterpiece. It's good, surprisingly moody and contemplative, punctuated by bursts of gunfire and gangsters getting shot in the forehead. I forgot that Beat had a roguish handsomeness in his youth and this cast is surprisingly good looking while mawkishly dressed. It's rather existential too - Beat's character is distantly amused by the violence exploding around him, deadpanning a fine torture scene and the assassinations of his comrades. Everyone keeps their fingers. No swordfights but some good gun battles.