Moving into another village, Zatoichi, a former courageous samurai, who after being blind, works as a masseur, does his best to help the villagers to face the evil gang that exploits them, the thing that brings terrible for him.
However improbably, Kitano pulls it off quite gloriously. Admittedly, this isn't one of his most idiosyncratic, innovative or, indeed, satisfying works, but it's without doubt fast, funny, fabulous to behold.
Three-frame cuts of the action from multiple camera angles, hose-spurted blood and superimposed wounds do what they can in their primitive way to get you past the problem of improbability.
For those unfamiliar with such films, Zatoichi might be a little off-putting. But given a chance, the movie can be pretty entertaining.
Orlando Sentinel
August 27, 2004
This isn't arty violence, just violence, and pretty pedestrian for a samurai picture.
Movie Views
September 27, 2009
Violent and bloody, carefully choreographed and filled with dry humor, Takeshi Kitano's modern take on the classic Japanese character is a unique vision that's told with confidence.
