Director: Takashi Miike
Starring: Hayato Ichihara, Yayan Ruhian, Riko Narumi, Lily Franky, Reiko Takashima
Running Time: 115 mins
Release Date: January 6th, 2016
In the January haze of new beginnings, one would be forgiven for reminiscing about the Christmas joy we’ll all miss. The presents, the pudding and all the finest Christmas films that the telly has had to offer. On the other hand, the gravy has started to congeal, that post-Christmas hangover is really starting to kick in and if you watch one more film about a magic snowman you’re going to explode. A change in genre is needed and really there’s only one thing for it; utter madness in the form of Takashi Miike‘s latest mind-bender, YAKUZA APOCALYPSE.
Nothing will quite kick you into the new year like this as Miike weaves a tale of bloodthirsty revenge. Written by Yoshitaka Yamaguchi, YAKUZA APOCALYPSE tells the story of a newly transformed Vampire, Kamiura, who seeks to avenge the death of his beloved Yakuza Boss and hero after he is brutally murdered. Starring the likes of Hayato Ichihara, Yayan Ruhian, Riko Narumi and Lily Franky, YAKUZA APOCALYPSE throws together a number of different genre themes that blend together to create an all-round ridiculous gangland style adventure with a despicable thirst for blood.
If you’re familiar with the work of Takashi Miike, you’ll be fairly prepared for the high octane sense of crazy fun that follows his creative vision. However, if you’re not, the notion of a Japanese Vampire flick merged with traditional martial arts and extreme violence might seem a little wacky; and you’d be absolutely right. There are some truly, exceptionally bizarre moments that pop up throughout the narrative as if it’s the norm.
From a disturbing goblin-man with a bird’s beaks and a turtle’s back, a ginormous felt frog with seriously deadly moves and a young boy ripping his long hair clean off, to reveal an ever so tiny Afro; all realms of ridiculous that mixed with the genres sincerity, makes for an entirely trippy watch.
The narrative gets stranger and stranger and as we reach the third act, where that enormous green frog starts to beat the living crap out of everyone, it’s difficult to really keep up with the core story-line and your eyes may well just glaze over in complete overload of madness. Still, as weird as it gets, there is something ridiculously cool about the level of insanity and, despite those glazed eyes, an amused smirk plants itself firmly on your face, eyebrows furrowed together is bemused enjoyment.
The level of violence is extreme, but it only adds to the charm of the genre. The fight scenes are brilliantly choreographed and are relentless in their variety for literally kick-ass moves. It’s difficult not to wince throughout many of the scenes, as harsh fists slam into stoic bodies, men’s heads are twisted from their static shoulders, feet are crushed by wooden sandals and axes crash their way through people’s skulls. YAKUZA APOCALYPSE is not for the fainthearted with violent chaos dripping from every scene.
Sound plays a gargantuan role in creating the demented and hyped ambiance of the film. We’re introduced to heavy gore from the very start with the visceral sounds of blood squelching, the familiar swinging of swords followed by the gushing of bodily fluid and the swooping of impossibly quick limbs cutting through the air in true martial arts style; all creating a macabre yet comforting aspect to the genre.
Alongside these disturbingly brilliant sounds is a wonderful score from Kôji Endô, who relays a score than often mirrors that of modern, typically American Westerns; the twanging of guitars reminding oneself of more mainstream cinema. That, mixed with essential music familiar to the genre, makes for a juxtaposing and enjoyable score.
Turns out, according to Mikke, revenge is best served seriously, seriously bloody and he truly proves it in his completely insane YAKUZA APOCALYPSE. If you’re unaccustomed to this genre of cinema, there is a good chance you will have no idea as to what exactly is going on, but in the hands of Takashi Miike, you might just have a good time anyway.
Verdict
