Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11370 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-10-20
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English, Japanese
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 120 minutes

Synopsis
Prolific director Takashi Miike (AUDITION) keeps finding new ways to test the boundaries of on-screen violence. ICHI THE KILLER is a masterful piece of filmmaking, simultaneously funny and horrific, but it's only for viewers with strong stomachs. One character, Kakihara (Japanese indie film heartthrob Tadanobu Asano), a masochistic yakuza lieutenant, has slits in his cheeks through which he blows cigarette smoke and gleefully hacks off his own tongue to apologize for his impudence. Then there's eponymous assassin (Nao Omori), a painfully shy but sadistic young voyeur who wears a leather superhero outfit to work. Manipulated by the cagey and mysterious Jijii (English translation: 'Gramps' Shinya Tsukamoto), Ichi lashes out and massacres those Jijii deems bullies, and basically anyone else who upsets his frail psyche. Jijii uses the demented lad to start a bloody war between rival yakuza factions. Miike's film is full of grotesquely over-the-top violent set pieces, including flying entrails, graphic mutilations, and even a severed human face splattered against a wall and slowly sliding to the ground. It's all captured with kinetic camerawork and hyperactive editing. It's not for everyone, but bolder viewers will find it uniquely entertaining.

Customer Reviews

SICK BUT ENTERTAINING IN A WAY
When I first saw ICHI THE KILLER it was the 15-minutes-cut-out German DVD version, it didn't leave an impression on me. Just another pointless film. But after seeing the Unrated US version I must say, this movie has an impact. Although excessively violent and sadistic (all though the over-the-top gore cannot be taken seriously) it is quite entertaining and can well live up to the other MIIKE films. Tadanobu Asano (Kakihara) plays a well enough sado-masochistic baddie (quite a character!) whom you will remember well afterwards! I must say this is one of the most groundbreaking films within the last decade, although not for all tastes. On the negative side: I got the impression Miike hates women, as they are constantly being beaten and tortured throughout the movie. I didn't care much for that! Otherwise a very sick but fun film.

Bit Disappointing
Had high hopes for this film but its not a patch on other Asian crime films like Oldboy or Infernal Affairs.

Its starts well but loses pace and the middle section drags on. I also found the plot not particularly believable. The charismatic figure of Kakihara keeps the film going. There is plenty of blood and gore if thats what you're after!

Somewhere in between....
Having just read two opposing reviews for this film, I thought I would give my two pennies worth. This is not a brilliant film. It's not a bad film either, though.

From a directorial perspective, it is beautifully shot. The sequences are memorable and innovative, and all credit there. The violence may be gratutious, but then that is only to be expected given the genre. It is hard not to be impressed by the effectiveness of this violence however (it's important to bear in mind that this is all cinematography, and that however disturbing it may be to see this level of torture for real, it IS all fakery). Despite all the horrific torture scenes filmed, the most memorable effect in this film has to be when Tadanobu Asano opens and closes his mouth when it is unpinned. Always sticks in my mind, anyway...

As far as the plot goes, I am inclined to lean towards the previously expressed opinion that the ultraviolence lies in context, and that Asian writers and directors pay far more attention to the psychological depths of their characters than is deemed necessary in Hollywood. There are far better films in the genre, but this is perfectly watchable. Or at least it is if you've seen the animated film that bears the same name. I would highly recommend watching the animated prequel first, otherwise I don't think enough is understood of the motives and purposes of the title character.

Overall, this is worth a look. I own an extensive collection of Tartan Video' "Asian Extreme" films, and I have to say that after renting this film, I haven't yet been compelled to buy it for my collection. One for the rentals, I think.