Takashi Miike has taken an already gory and upsetting manga series of the same name by Hideo Yamamoto and turned it into one of the most notorious gory Japanese films ever made. The story goes that a mob boss has been literally torn apart by a mysterious killer. One of his enforcers, Kakihara (Tadanobu Asano), sets out to find his killer, but given that Kakihara is about as sane as a cuckoo clock factory, and a sadomasochist to boot, things inevitable don't work out nice and neatly.
Ichi the Killer was banned in many countries upon its initial release, and I can definitely see why. It's absolutely brutal in a way that steps way outside the realm of good taste. There's guts flying every which way, not to mention blood being pumped around is if from a high-pressure water hose. There's also masturbation, prostitution, drugs, criminal acts of all varieties, et cetera, et cetera. Pretty much all the main characters are mentally ill, one way or another, and the film truly feels like a direct to film manga adaptation in a way few films do. There are multiple scenes, which I could see happening in a manga, but which really should have been cut from the film version.
But then again, such honesty to one's source material is almost to be admired. As are the huge brass ones required to even direct a film such as this. Because it is a great experience if you're into gore. Not only for the imagery, but for the fact that the story itself works in the confines of the film. Which is a huge plus for a gorefest such as this one.
Ichi the Killer is an acquired taste, but if it is to your liking, then it's definitely worth checking out.
Ichi the Killer was banned in many countries upon its initial release, and I can definitely see why. It's absolutely brutal in a way that steps way outside the realm of good taste. There's guts flying every which way, not to mention blood being pumped around is if from a high-pressure water hose. There's also masturbation, prostitution, drugs, criminal acts of all varieties, et cetera, et cetera. Pretty much all the main characters are mentally ill, one way or another, and the film truly feels like a direct to film manga adaptation in a way few films do. There are multiple scenes, which I could see happening in a manga, but which really should have been cut from the film version.
But then again, such honesty to one's source material is almost to be admired. As are the huge brass ones required to even direct a film such as this. Because it is a great experience if you're into gore. Not only for the imagery, but for the fact that the story itself works in the confines of the film. Which is a huge plus for a gorefest such as this one.
Ichi the Killer is an acquired taste, but if it is to your liking, then it's definitely worth checking out.