Review of Ichi the Killer (2001) by Geoff O — 28 Sep 2010

So many words went through my head as the end credits of Ichi The Killer scrolled down my TV screen last night. The methods that director Takashi Miike used in this film to show certain acts of violence/torture or mutilation really "WOWED" me!

I do think that he may have went a little far on the "nipple-cutting" scene, but that makes Miike's style so original and lovable. I don't have to summarize the movie, but I think I will anyways...

Ichi The Killer is about a psychotic, sexually-repressed young man with amazing martial arts abilities and blades that come out of his shoes...a sadomasochistic man named Kakihara, and the "Anjo" Yakuza gang. The movie starts off with the disappearence of Anjo, a yakuza boss who happened to have 300 million yen with him. Kakihara, who is the sadist / chief henchman for the Anjo gang is dead-set to find his boss because he misses the pain he inflicted on him. Kakihara calls up Jiro & Saburo, two twin henchmen who have amazing tracking & torturing skills, which would definately help with the search for whomever. Eventually Ichi bursts out in a fit of rage & goes a little crazier than usual...killing most of Kakihara's men. The ultra-violent Ichi & the pain-craving Kakihara finally cross paths & it's as if there is finally someone Kakihara thinks can kill him...so Kakihara finally gets to have some fun!