Kamikaze takushî

In my humble opinion the movie was quite nice but too long. Some kind of abridging should have been done.

A well dramatized picture with interesting characters. Combining entertaining action sequences while tackling social issues at the same time. Probing into the homogeneity of Japanese society and touching on the delicate issues of Kamikaze pilots and the position of Women in Japanese society. All main characters have depth and plot twists are enjoyable.

Kamikaze Taxi is a quirky, innovative social satire that is well worth watching only if you are open to seeing a different style of film. This is certainly not the usual Hollywood action film but more for the art-house cinema-buff crowd who enjoy cult films.

The aspect of Japanese living in Peru and Brazil is in itself intriguing. There are the cultural differences and insights into racial problems which offer an interesting mix. Viewers who peer beyond the violence and sex in this film will find much to rouse their intellect.

This film is unique in how it weaves various fabrics of life that are normally separate and often contradictory. For example, we hear magical Peruvian pan pipes played by a Japanese man standing, not high in the Andes, but in a lush green Brazilian forest. The spiritual yearning of this musician contrasts sharply with the ugly violence and betrayal of those near to him in the beautiful forest.

The film is in Japanese, and obviously delivers its message to Japanese society. Keep this in mind when considering the tragedy, humour, corruption, naivety, idealism, contradictions and poetic style that this film portrays so well. What does this say about the Japanese character? Is it true also for those of us who are not Japanese? Gather your friends and discuss such questions over cups of capuccino or glasses of brandy. There is more to this film than first meets the eye.

I won't say it's a bad film, I am usually never deceived by a Japanese crime flick, but if you consider this very topic, a couple of men fighting against the mob, yakuza mob, I highly prefered Ishi Takashi's GONIN, made the same year. the film making and overall treatment were so different. yes, different, and less boring. Nearly three hours is far too long for my taste. And maybe am I not enough a specialist of the Japanese spirit to totally get this feature soul. I usually like Rising Sun country movies because they are bleak, dark, brutal, with rarely happy endings; that's all. That doesn't mean I am immerged into the Japanese soul. Most of Samourai films are too hermetic, whilst being very poignant and gripping to me.

Of course, he is not quite there yet, but there is definitely potential. As a matter of fact, the director admits Wu's influence when I had the chance to meet with him.

I like this one more than his later movie, Bounce (Call Girls).

Definitely a director to watch out for!