Zatoichi

Zatoichi is definitely one of my favourite films and I consider it one of Kitano's best if not his best in terms of his acting and directing. I have the majority of Kitano's films and I was over joyed to hear that he was starring and directing Zatoichi and I was not disappointed when i saw it. Everything about the film is exceptional although a big disappointment for me was the fact that CGI blood was used which does look a bit fake in some scenes. That is the only criticism I can think of. The film is very violent but like Kill Bill it is comic violence. I was also pleased to see Tadanobu Asano(Kakihara from Ichi the Killer)who was very good and he also plays a reasonably similar role in Gohatto(also starring Kitano). Fans of Kitano and Japanese cinema should watch this as well as fans of the Zatoichi franchise.

Near flawless film!!

9.5/10

It is fantastic movie. I surprised that actors plays "Batto-Jutsu" which uses Japanese swords and battles with enemy. It is Japanese traditional act, but I had never seen such a beautiful and cool act. It is action and a period film. However, it is little grotesque because there are bloody scene in it, so I was little scary. The director is Takeshi Kitano. This movie is full of entertainment and some scene like musical. Actors dance tap dance with wearing "Geta" which is Japanese traditional shoes. It was amazing. I like that musical scene. Very rhythmical and powerful scene will make people enjoyable. I recommend to watch it not only Japanese people but also foreigner. I think this movie holds Japanese traditions and new entertainment.

This is a strange one, a drama/comedy/action film with absurdist overtones. In Japan, Zatoichi is a cult character who was the subject of 26 feature films between 1963 and 1989. Now director "Beat" Takeshi – best known for Hana Bi – introduces Zatoichi to a new generation. Takeshi also stars as Zatoichi, the elderly masseur and dice gambler whose hearing is so acute he can detect which side a die has fallen. He's a master swordsman, too – one slice and you're diced.

Supporting characters include two beautiful geishas avenging their parents' death, a farmer and her drunkard nephew, the gangsters running the town and a masterless samurai (an impressive performance from Tadanobu Asano).

The Blind Swordsman is great fun, although it could do with a tighter structure. And I was shocked by the spectacular tap-dancing finale – in traditional Japanese dress and shoes! ***½/***** stars.

It's a kind of "what the hell" type of movie, as in "what the hell, let's throw in a dance scene," as in "what the hell, let's play with 50 years of mythology' as in 'what the hell is an action movie really?" I liked it. It had a desert dry humor about it, the action scenes were amazing (yes, the blood is supposed to look fake!) and I just liked the shear audacity of it all. Kitano made a crowd pleasing action film with out sacrificing his art. It isn't the plot that makes this one go, it's Kitano's refusal to play to anyones expectations. It's not a perfect movie, but it's amazing to watch a film maker at the top of his game just showing off for his own selfish pleasure.

This is the second Zatoichi film I watched after Zatoichi vs the One Armed Swordsman.. it was better than the one I watched earlier.. a lot of scene with added CGI make it better although the CGI might be dodgy or low budget but all it lacks he make it up in acting.. the plot is Zatoichi saves the small village terrorised by two Yakuza clan and the Naruto family vengeance by both brothers and Sisters act as geisha... every character depicted in the movie is interesting from the Ronin to the aunt... initially I was going to rate the movie 8 but the closing act of dancing and the song make me rate it a bit higher.