This is a film from `controversial' director Takashi Miike. He is known for his prolific output a sort of quantity over quality, but that is way too simplistic. He has a message and he wants us to get it - without any subtlety what so ever.
This film kicks off with a gangland massacre, some very grubby felatio, and badly dubbed fighting. The basic tale is that a Triad gang `the Dragons Nail', are trying to muscle in on the Yakuza territory and are not bothered about who they have to get out of their way.
Add to this the cop who is trying to stop them and his younger brother - a lawyer who is working for them, and you have quite a potential concoction of things going very bad indeed. They are involved in all sorts of crime, including gay prostitution, drugs, money laundering and human organ sales. This is no black and white, good versus bad as even the cops are very unlikeable. They use any means to get what they want too, thus blurring the lines and confusing as to who you should be caring for.
There are some great moments; we have a serial flasher, a cop that looks like Ronnie Corbett who specialises in torture and uninvited man on man action. A street tramp called `Lonely Jelly' and a cute lovable, but exploited rent boy, who has a penchant for knives and using them on cops.
The picture quality is lacking in places, and the sub titles are often crowded with the original ones not completely removed, but this is a rather good film and I did enjoy it. The action keeps you hooked and the thorough ruthless and nasty characters are somehow fascinating. If you are new to Miike this is a good place to start as any - recommended.
