(2001)

review by:

1-23-04

Written by: Sakichi Satô Original Manga: Hideo Yamamoto Directed by: Takashi Miike Starring: Tadanobu Asano, Nao Omori, Shinya Tsukamoto

When a Yakuza boss disappears with 100 million yen, it's up to loyal Kakihara to find him. His bloody methods, however, get him kicked out of the mob, and he must find Ichi, boss Anjo's killer, with the help of his twisted sidekicks. Near the beginning we see a shot of an apartment floor, covered in intestines and gore. The ceiling is covered in blood. Hell, even the cover of the movie is warning enough of what kind of film Ichi the Killer is, but as it unfolds it gets more and more tense until the viewer is chuckling nervously at every death. But that's why Miike is a genius. He, even more so than Tarantino (who admits he took a few things from Ichi for Kill Bill), never fails to instantly grab the audience, and until the end credits they're in the palm of his hand. Miike is the puppetmaster of his viewers, taking them from utter disgust to tense laughter, and back to disgust in a matter of seconds. Ichi the Killer is not a family movie. It's about a shy, teary-eyed pushover with a sexual problem. He's a bit like The Punisher for the bullied, but when he gets angry, he kills the whole room. Kakihara is a masochist with a split mouth, who enjoys dishing out torture as much as he likes to receive it. And when these two are after each other, no flesh, of anyone, is spared. Ichi runs into a room, and we see blood spray out the door reminiscent Evil Dead II. Kakihara uses his "unique" mouth to rip flesh. And then of course there are the torture scenes. This movie's more violent than Santa after the last Twinkie, but for a reason. Miike appears to use so much violence it becomes a joke. In his trademark style, he takes a fairly serious movie and pushes it to cartoon extremes, almost making fun of his audience (Remember Dead or Alive?). Every few scenes you're reminded not to take this movie too seriously, but the message about power and subservience comes across perfectly clear. Ichi the Killer is a story with old themes, similar to those of the oh so tame Secretary, but presented in a new, ghastly way. The movie also kicks three asses because of the actors. Nao Omori (Ichi) is just plain amazing as the bullied killer. The funny yet I-just-left-a-load-in-my-pant-leg-scary Kakihara is played by Tadanobu Asano (Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl), who may possibly have induced some load leaving in pant legs during our viewing of this movie. The acting all around is great, but these two really leave an impression for having played two of the strangest characters since Super Mario Brothers. Basically, if you can hold your lunch pretty well, rent this movie. It may be hard to watch at times, and the ending may be a head scratcher for those of us who need to be clubbed with meaning, but it's really a great film. And who knows...in 10 years maybe it will be family viewing.

Rating