1-Ichi

It's an OK movie. Decent performances, the make-up FX are fine and the story is interesting. It has all the low-budget film limitations (especially bad edition and ambiance).

'Ichi-1' was a no budget movie with no plot or point until the very end, and even that is simply to tie it vaguely to "Ichi the Killer". It would have served more of a purpose as source footage for some flashbacks to Ichi's past in "Ichi the Killer", rather than a full length movie. In other words, if you liked "Ichi The Killer", you really don't need to watch this movie. There are a few slightly humorous parts though - the movie seems to waver between twisted comedy and just plain twisted. It did have the actor who played "ichi" in "Ichi the Killer", and TEAH from City of Lost Souls, which helps counteract the otherwise amateurish feel of the movie - a few good actors helped float the movie even among the rest of the bad actors and the lack of purpose to this movie. I'd say watch it if you have nothing better to do and can get it real cheap, or if you just have a need to watch every Japanese movie at least once, no matter how bad (like me).

I love this movie. I know it's not perfect and can't really be compared to the great movies that occupy the IMDB top250 list, but it's great fun. It's also disgusting. There are enough face smashing, broken bones and dislocated shoulders for everyone. I really love Teah and the guy who plays the main bad guy.

I don't recommend this to those who hated Ichi the Killer, but I know that that movie has a lot of fans and those fans should see this movie. Just don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed.

It's not quite as good as Ichi the Killer, but I really like it. I've already watched it 3 times so I guess it has some replay value as well.

4/5

I did not like this movie at all. I feel that the digi cam directing was limited especially in the hands of these uninspired directors. How Dull they were! And the Dai character...what terrible acting. Where is my Japanese tradition of extreme tragedy? This actor had no clue just always revealing his own insecurity as an actor - Bleech! And the Ichii character? Another case of bad casting - Phew! Couldn't stand him. And the fight choreography...Pass! Unrealistic. Obviously the director didn't know squat about camera angles for fight sequences and if he did get it right it was a fluke. The special effects were amateurish and used when obviously they had no other ideas of how to convey an idea. I say go back to directing school fellas. You are missing the boat. But I do have one good thing to say which is why I am here. The Koji Chihara who played the joint twister guy. Now that was a step in the right direction...the guy was so great. You need to take a tip from this actors confidence and use people like that in the future without exception. Really it was a director asleep at the wheel but some of the cast knew what to do when a movie is being made.

Wow, if you're a fan of Miike's work and liked the "original" Ichi, you will probably love this prequel! It's almost hard to believe that it wasn't Miike himself on the director's chair. But as the assistant director in the production of Miike's masterpiece, Masato Tanno for sure knew what he was doing as the director in this prequel. He shows Shiroichi during his time at Highschool, where two other boys lay claim to the status of the best fighter of all Highschools in town. So, almost the whole film is about fighting. And these guys really know how to punch! Tanno's film isn't as strange and dark as its "forerunner", but it doesn't have to hide behind it. You can call it in a row with such great masterpieces as "Ichi" or "Story of Ricky". It's different but brutal and violent as hell. Acting was good, so was the camera work. But director Masato Tanno definitely did the best job of them all. If you have the possibility, you should rent it. If you're a fan of Miike's films, buy it - you won't regret! It'll blow you away!!!