#16: ZATOICHI THE TRUCE MAKER? This 16th episode of Zatoichi tends to have a more complicated plotline than usual. This may be due to the fact that there are quite a few complicated characters in this film. Farmers in the province that Ichi has wandered into have clashed with the local Yakuza bosses, who wish to see the farms fail in order to increase their revenues.
The champion of the farmers are led by two different groups. One is by benenvolent and caring boss who wants to see the farmers taken care of better, and the other is a sort of philospher-samurai who wants to start an agrarian cooperative of sorts. The Yakuza bosses want to see the farms fail, because it will help increase their gambling revenues. Sound a little complicated yet?
The acting in this episode is very good; however, it seems as if the director Satsuo Yamamoto was trying to put too much into this particular Zatoichi episode. Moreover, lost in this film is the noble qualities that we are used to with the Ichi character. I believe too much reliance on severed limbs, and lots of blood was the major problem with this episode. Yes, I am aware that Ichi lives in violent times and the nature of the swordsman sometimes requires the lopping off of a limb or two. But good writing always takes precedence to the violence.
However, the cinematography in the film is absolutely beautiful as usual: The stunning Japanese countryside is shown in all its splendor. I would not say this was the worst Zatoichi film. It could have been better; however, the storyline just didn't go anywhere with me. Recommended, but with caution.
This is the review you been looking for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here are the pros and conts:
Good: * Great cinematography. * Awesome moves by Zatoichi. * Great acting.
Bad: * The dvd trailer fool you by showing a horse battle, barrel battle, daylight forest battle and a bridge battle that didn't appear in the movie!!!!!!!!!! * There were like 3 action scenes in the whole movie and the only one that was cool was the night forest battle. * To much blah,blah,blah!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sometimes I think that the best Zatoichi movie is Zatoichi goes to the Festival of Fire!!!
P.S: If you like to see movies like this, I recommend to buy the original Zatoichi in 1962.
Adios!!
A touching and heroic film. Shintaro Katsu does it again. The best entry I've seen so far in the Zatoichi series. The setting in these films seems so real and the stories touch the soul in a profound nature. I found myself tense throughout this entire movie, desperatley yearning for Zatoichi the blind masseur to distribute justice to those who wrong the innocent. The horrors that the villains commit become more and more unbearable and they really get under your skin. Zatoichi of course punishes the wrong doers in the end producing two very memorable fight scenes and leaving the viewer feeling completely fufilled. It should be noted that this episode contains a satisfying amount of blood and severed body parts, something the earlier entries in the series lacked. Great stuff.
A great film This was an excellent movie. Great martial arts action with the sword as well as a good story, acting and characters. I really enjoyed this film and have ordered more of them to view. Zatoichi is a great character and the sword action is incredible.It's really a unique concept in a movie. I highly recommend it.
Zato Ichi & his flashing sword provides humor & fast action! ZatoIchi, blind swordsman of Japan is at his best. The film portrays a historical period of Japanese history largely unknown to Western Audiences.
Ichi once again protects the weak while making fools of the corrupt and powerful. The film provides blend of interesting & unexpected turns of fate with fast paced action.
Definitely a film of the moral high ground. Recommended for all audiences, although some may find the film violent for young audiences.
Anything Goes Trivia
Last Kiss
Megaton Man
Trevor
