Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler [DVD] [2009]

This flick is based on Nobuyuki Fukumoto's manga series, Tobaku Mokushiroku Kaiji, and stars the uber slick prince of Japanese cinema Tatsuya Fujiwara in the lead role of Ito Kaiji, a down on his luck loser with an unhealthy drink and gambling problem fuelled by his lower class status; the complete polar opposite to the character he played in Death Note, Light Yagami. Kaiji is given the chance to pay off his huge financial debt in one night when he receives an invitation to board a gambling boat from an unscrupulous debt collector named Endo; or, face the daunting prospect of repaying the hefty sum over a ten year period.

Kaiji's decision will eventually guide him towards another unfortunate slacker named Sahara Makoto, played superbly by Kenichi Matsuyama; again, a million miles away from his creepy, enigmatic portrayal as L in the Death Note series and not so easily recognizable without all the make-up. Instead of a battle of wits between these two talented thespians, this time around they must pull together and form an alliance to successfully cross Brave Men Road; escape the slave driven underworld; clear their individual debts; and, be set free back into normal society.

Just like each individual Manga Publication leaves the hooked reader eagerly anticipating the release date of the forthcoming issue to continue the fable and satisfy their curiosity, each scene plays out in a similar fashion feeling like a condensed version of the original mini-stories, constantly changing direction and making the viewing experience an enthralling ride packed with suspense, tension and occasional laughter. Tatsuya Fujiwara carries the whole film with arguably his best performance to date and gets supported well throughout; especially, in the grand finale showdown with the tyrannical Tonegawa played by Teruyuki Kagawa (20th Century Boys).

Highly recommended for fans who enjoy Japanese Manga stories; Tatsuya Fujiwara; and/or, intense gambling scenes like the one between Daniel Craig and Mads Mikkelson in Bond's Casino Royale; but on a totally different level - of course. This isn't the super spy versus the dastardly villain, it's the emperor versus the slave. Put it in the basket, it's odds on to be a winner.

I never read/saw the original story of Kaiji.
It all started like the manga "Liar game" but it turned out completly different.
Good story, if you like the Japanese way.
Good actors, only the actor who played Kaiji(Light in DeathNote) gets on my nerve. He overacts sometime, but in overall it's fine.
Music and camera very good.
Also nice is the card game in the movie, E-Cards.
I played it for reall and it works! (If you can read minds!)
So good movie if you like stories like Liar game, Death Note, ...

When I was in Japan in November the second Kaiji film was due to open in the cinemas and the cast were appearing on all of the variety shows which pepper Japanese schedules, even creating scary games for them to take part in against a team of 'talento'... or people who are famous for being famous.

Anyway, they also showed this on one Friday and I was hooked. I missed the first part up to where he arrives on the ship so I was a bit confused, but I stuck with it. My Japanese is pretty weak but I grasped the basics... but some of it transcends dialogue and you just get sucked in.
I bought the PAL DVD and watched it last night, and it's even better now I know the start and the subtitles help with some of the more subtle elements... although sometimes the subs tend to say something other than the spoken dialogue.

So is it a good film. No... it's an excellent movie. It's gripping, exciting, frightening and all together a 130 minute thrill ride. The acting is note-perfect (or should that be Death Note perfect as some of the cast were in that, lol... watches tumbleweed roll past in the silence) and the music is worth buying if it's available on CD.

Now I await the second film with anticipation.

Jan... ken... pon!