Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen

This movie is a 100% guaranteed Kitano style. The satire and comedy contained in this movie, is absolutely hilarious, although at points you aren't entirely sure where this is heading, or why there are some unnecessary scenes that didn't quite fit the set pace. I too would strongly recommend to ignore the poor IMDb ratings for this movie. You shouldn't even pay any attention to it, as the score is so obviously faked (42% of 1??! - yeah, right!) it makes me feel ill to think that there are people who would do that sort of thing. Regardless of that sad attempt to manipulate ratings, this is one of the best comedies by Takeshi Kitano. The seemingly western take on a very much Japanese thing, is actually a refreshing one. What some may miss about the inventiveness in this film, is the simple fact that not every one is, (or will ever be) able to understand one of the most difficult forms of comedy, satire. It seems that Kitano is purposely making fun of his own "serious" Yakuza -movies, with incredibly light touch, that makes everything seem so effortless in this movie. The idea of old, retired men "getting at it" one more time is very often used cliché in movies, need I remind of such movies as "The Bucket List", "The Unforgiven" and of course "Seven Samurai". However it must be kept in mind that Kitano's entire style doesn't appeal to everyone, nor will it never be understood by all. It's also absolute poppycock for someone to say that if you like this movie, or think it's good because you are "asianophilic caucasian" or just because it is by Kitano. I would recommend this movie to anyone, unreserved. It has it's low points, but one thing still makes me smile: The movie is stunningly funny, in the most hilarious way!. Well done Beat Takeshi!

I worked for Tohokushinsya and Office Takeshi for several years. To this day I still do not understand why there are people (most probably "Asianophilic" Caucasians) who try to give meaning to a a Asian film which, for all intents and purposes, just does not have any deep meaningful messages to impart. Because if this was an American or English film, it would have been slated as boring and a waste of time. But just because it is a Japanese Takeshi, there are people who are automatically impressed and seek to find hidden and meaningful truth in something which is actually as empty as the abyss.... Anyway there is nothing that worth thinking. There are only stupidity and violence toward ordinary people...sad......the cinematography is seemed to be almost out of focus in the entire film.

This is the one I hated the most was the lead character. I guess that TKC's stupidity is reached the maximum point in 2015.

This could have been fun and I wanted to like it. The basic idea definitely had potential for comedy. But it was wasted. There are some semi-humorous scenes in this movie but ultimately it's just lukewarm throughout and the plot is very incoherent, so I quickly lost interest.

What happened with the action movies today? Look here, you have it all. It is fast. It is fun. It has a memorable tune to accompany the action. It has remarkable characters, who by no means are deep or Shakespere type guys, they are just cool. It has one-liners. It has a smoking-hot looking girl. A little bit of nudity here and there. Couple of funny lines can be heard. Very colorful villain and his goons. It has that feeling of adventure. It is a quintessential action movie. For that reason it is so predictable and clichéd, but here, is it really a downfall? Can we get more of these, please? I am sick of a bloody messes and greedy mood in todays action movies. Can you take it a little easier, Kitano? Or is it a thing of the past, meaning that will never get this style back again? Yes, sure. Not recommended at all......

It shows lives of gangs who had retired. The theme was serious. It looks hard for conventional gangs to live in the current society because their rule isn't gonna fly anymore. The more clear the society becomes, the more unnecessary the dirty force and the connections are. It reminded me the beginning of 'God father.' If scams try to target seniors of retired gangs, they must be beat up by gangs in return! It showed us funnily that an eye for an eye. But, on the other hand I found the lost things like the duties and humanity. A clean society that there're no gray area created many evil spilits don't have their own philosophies and reasons.