Ryuzo and the seven Henchmen

It's a poorly edited film with lots of loose ends and plots that go nowhere. A hit-man character would be better off cut, if not for the scene. There is some more hardcore blackly comedy taste with bit-off limbs and a decapitation where the man's body is inside the box.

It's the popular view to think of the yakuza itself as being cheap looking. I disagree. It's pretty lifelike for an 80's yakuza stuff effect and a lot more enjoyable to me than the video game styled yakuza in 'Sonachine'.

It is too rude!

But I like Yasuda the yakuza more than Takeshi.

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!

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.

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.

I am big fan of Takeshi Kitano for years, even if he is directing or acting, "Ryuzo and Seven Henchmen" is his latest offering as director, and of course i wanted to see the newest movie of my favorite Japanese director. After two fantastic Yakuza movies "Outrage" and "Beyond Outrage", Takeshi is back to Comedy style, we must know that Takeshi is originally a comedian so it is nothing strange. I love his comedies, "Getting Any" was really funny movie to me, so really wanted to see this one. "Ryuzo and Seven Henchmen" have some funny and nice moments whitout a doubt, Tatsuya Fuji as main protagonist Ryuzo was the nicest moment in whole movie, he is just incredible in his role, even in some moments his acting remind me on legendary Toshiro Mifune, other Ryuzo henchmens were also okay but not on the level of acting like Tatsuya Fuji. There were some really funny moments in this movie, but generally this is the one of the weakest Takeshi's movies, but if you are a fan of his cinema and Japanese cinema in general, i suggest to watch this one.

My grade: 5.5/10