Review of Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally (1989) by Luke B — 14 Sep 2009

Shintaro Katsu appears on screen as Zatoichi for the last time. 16 years after the last film (though there was a TV series in between), Katsu has lost none of his humour or style. It's amazing to think that an actor can pick up such a role, and make it seem as though there was no gap at all.

This is also a bit of a disappointment. Nothing is made of Zatoichi's age, he's no longer the 27 year old he was in his first appearance, but his age has added no real difficulties. Also there are films before this that put Zatoichi in greater peril and have him put through more pain.

As a final installment, you would hope for something more definite in it's conclusion. Luckily though, this is still an fantastic Zatoichi movie, with all the gambling, fighting and great characters you could hope for.

The violence goes to the extent of chopping off someones nose, which then slides down a wall. Zatoichi also demonstrates a much darker sense of humour, which includes using decapitated heads as puppets for shock value.

The best thing of all, this film is very 80's. The music has twangy guitars, there's a grim gritty grainy look to it all and BEST of all, it even has an 80's power ballad that plays over some scenes (and the song's in English).

You almost expect Zatoichi to flip on some shades and drive into the sunset.