Review of Yakuza: Like a Dragon (2007) by Michelle C — 05 Mar 2017

I think Miike is in his prime. He's still keeping a pace of at least 2 pictures a year but within the last 5 years or so his films have taken a considerably more sophisticated air, even if they remain as over-the-top as ever.

Yakuza is a perfect adaptation of the game. While it does not follow the game's story, it flows like great fanfiction - all the game's characters are portrayed faithfully with remarkable attention to mannerisms and costuming, and the atmosphere, setting, and score are meticulously matched to the game.

The changes they do make are extremely positive and make for a wonderful film - after all, if you're watching the film you've played the game, so what's the point of rehashing its story? Most inspired is the attention given to Majima - a character practically tailor-made for a Miike film anyway - whose continuous violent exchanges with Kazuma are delightful.

And, as is only proper, Kazuma's fate ultimately rests with a bottle of Staminan.