Ryû ga gotoku: Gekijô-ban

Ryû ga gotoku: Gekijô-ban, internationally known as Like a Dragon, is an excellent action thriller inspired by the first entry in the internationally acclaimed video game franchise Yakuza. It's quite surprising that this excellent movie hasn't been received more favourably and that there are even plans to remake it entirely. As it is, this movie isn't only a pleasure to watch for fans of the franchise with its numerous hidden gems but also a blockbuster for regular fans of gangster movies.

This movie has been directed by prolific filmmaker Miike Takashi, responsible for genre masterpieces like Shinjuku Triad Society in 1995, Dead or Alive in 1999 and Ichi the Killer in 2001. His direct, fast and graphic approach suits this movie wonderfully and resumes an epic video game of roughly thirty hours in one hour and fifty minutes. Some iconic scenes from the video game might have been left out but one simply doesn't miss them in this brutal, energetic and quirky final product. Miike Takashi is the perfect director for this wonderful movie.

The acting performances are also surprisingly solid. Kitamura Kazuki is one of Japan's most prolific actors and has collaborated with Miike Takashi time and again. He incarnates charismatic protagonist Kiryu Kazuma splendidly. Kishitani Goro has also been starring in several excellent gangster films and he might deliver the best performance of his career while portraying crazy antagonist Majima Goro as he finds the perfect balance between this character's stylish antics and his psychopathic obsessions. Even the child actress who plays Sawamura Haruka who represents hope, innocence and purity in the video game series is absolutely credible here.

Another strength of this film are its locations. The video game series have been inspired by Shinjuku entertainment district Kabukicho and Miike Takashi's movie was actually shot on location. From this perspective, this movie feels even more realistic than the associated video game. Numerous locations from shiny skyscrapers over sinister back alleys to chaotic basement shops have been perfectly integrated into this film.

As for the story, this movie follows the first video game very closely. Objective observers might claim that this isn't very creative. However, those who are unfamiliar with the video game are in for a wild rise with several stunning twists and turns. As for those who are actually familiar with the video game, your anticipation will keep growing throughout the film as its finale comes around with one iconic scene after another. There are no unnecessary lengths to be found and once this turbulent ride is over, you simply want to take a deep breath, sip a tasty drink and start all over again.

At the end of the day, anyone who appreciates gangster movie should definitely watch Like a Dragon. If you are intrigued by this film, make sure to either discover the wonderful video game franchise from start to finish in chronological order or to watch some of Miike Takashi's greatest movies throughout his impressive career that has lasted for more than three decades now. Actually, combining both elements might be the best option for you as it will give you hours and hours of outstanding entertainment. Here's hope that this wonderful movie will finally be served justice and see an international re-release by a company like Arrow Media or Well Go USA.

There´s a lot of missed elements, they may don´t talk about some things but is still interesting.

The plot of the robbers can be one of the best things in this movie, was really funny and cool to see the cast.

Goro Majima was the coolest character and I believe that the "Majima everywhere" in "YAKUZA KIWAMI" was inspired by the actor and motivations of Majima in the movie

The personality of Majima is all what you see in the rest of the games

Miike is a very versatile director, gory movies, "snuff" movies, horror movies, history movies, comedy movies and action movies.

Takashi Miike's loose adaptation of the PS2 game "Yakuza" is definitely an odd duck. It defies most formula conventions and delivers a uniquely Miike experience. Reminiscent of City of Lost Souls before it and Crows Zero after it, Like A Dragon has as many laughs as it does bullets. Combining bombastic action with a violent sense of humor, the film almost seems to want you to hate it, but it's hard not to like what amounts to be one of the most twisted action comedies in recent memory. A gangster fresh out of jail, his bat-wielding and bugnuts crazy arch-nemesis, a lost little girl, two Bonnie and Clyde posers, a pair of idiot bank-robbers, a mysterious Korean hit-man and plenty of other characters inhabit one hot night in a fictional district of Tokyo with two missing women and ten billion yen at stake. If you're expecting a deathly serious action fest, you had better look elsewhere. Relying on vicious physical gags and some truly inspired comic timing, Miike mixes in dynamic camera-work with colorful imagery to continuously rebel against traditional action conventions. This is definitely not one of Miike's most profound works, but it is certainly one of his most undeniably fun.

If you haven't played any of the Yakuza games then you will likely have no clue what is going on as this is definitely made for fans. Characters come and go and things happen with little explanation, if you're not a fan then you will get lost very quickly. The Yakuza games average about 30-40 hours worth of heavy story in each game so cramming that in to a 2 hour movie was always going to be a challenge.

The actor who plays Majima was perfect and Kiryu actually drinks a Stamina X to make himself stronger, i was laughing so hard at how awesome it was.

I think Shô Aikawa should have played detective Date instead of the small part he played, he's a great actor.

You can tell this is Takashi Miike straight away, it isn't as out there or extreme as some of his more well know films but it has his trademark offbeat style and there are many actors you'll recognise from his other movies.

It isn't deep and it is a mess but if you like the Yakuza games and want to see your favourite character brought to life then this is a fun time.

I actually think I may be the only one who enjoyed this film, being a big fan of the Yakuza games I had a feeling despite the bad reviews on this I was going to enjoy it. I think you need to be one of those who have played the games to get why certain aspects of the movie hold a special place in your heart, I spent so many hours playing as Kiryu Kazuma that I grew an attachment to the character so from that there i knew it was going to be a good watch.

I have to admit some parts aren't needed but all the same kts a good watch that I thoroughly enjoyed, I feel like we could of delved into the story more with this movie, it went as good as you could have gone when it comes to reliving a gaming experience through a movie. It can't be exactly the same or it'd be boring as we'd just see what we've already seen so I get why things need changing.

Great movie to watch if you're a big fan, if you're not id recommend checking the games out as they are great, if you're not a gamer I'd say go for it you might even like it.