Zatoichi (2003)

Zatoichi is another big screen outing for the popular Japanese fictional character the blind swordsman. The character started  life out on the small screen before becoming a big screen attraction. The last film that was made about Zatoichi was in 1989 and this is a successful remake for today's audience. (A big box office smash hit in its own country).

The film is directed, written, edited and stars probably Japans most famous face Takeshi Kitano. Famed in his own country first and foremost as a comedian, though he has started to develop a body of work which gives him a more credible career in films as a director and movie star.

He takes the lead role as Zatoichi (in his usual deadpan way) and from the opening scenes we can see how the tone of the film is set. There's a delicious, dark and deftly touches of humour within the film which contrasts well with the limbs and blood splatting across the screen. It is in keeping in tune with his previous works, as most of his films are played with a smidgen of dark humour with tons of on-screen violence but that's what gives this film an offbeat charm.

The plot of the film is about a town that's gripped with fear when a warring gang bullies the citizens for money. Set in 19th century Japan the films opens with our hero being engaged by a group of swordsmen with the intent to kill him. Unfortunately for the group they underestimate Zatoichi and he dispatches them with ease.  His path takes him to the town where he comes across one the towns folk whom he helps home. She offers him a place to rest for the night and in reply for her kindness he gives her a massage (he poses as a masseur). Relaxed and de-stressed she explains the how towns current plight and hardship rest solely with the unforgiving and uncompromising gang, Ginzo.

The story is very reminiscent to a classic western where a drifter wanders into a troubled town and turns over the local mob and restores some sort of balance and happiness. It may well be a predictable tale but its done with flair and aplomb. The only criticism I would have is that the back story of the Geisha girls. Mid point through the film it flashes back to how they had to coped and it was unnecessary and I for one wanted to get back to more limbs and blood splattering. The point of them avenging the death of their loved ones is enough motive for us to establish their reasoning. Another let down is the master less ronin who joins up with the gang and his climatic fight with Zatoichi. Theses are just minor flaws in an otherwise brilliant quirky and offbeat samurai movie.

The choreography is handled very well, it has none of the wire work (a la Kill Bill) that you may have expected but it doesn't really need it as the swordplay is done to a high degree of realism. CGI effects is used for the blood and it tends to spray across the screen  in an unrealistic way which sort of softens the shock of limbs and other bodily mutilations. It is an enjoyable fable with tons of violence with a huge slab of dark comedic moments. It offers nothing too original in the way of story telling but it is done in a very entertaining and highly stylized fashion. Oh and if you were wondering if Hollywood are going to remake it or bring Zatoichi to the mass market, they've already tried it in 1989 with a film called Blind Fury (starring Rutger Hauer). I wouldn't bother with that one, stick to this one.

15/20