Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ultra violence Miike style, 8 Nov 2006
Fine stuff from Japanese director Takashi. Dead or alive is a gangster style flick that revolves around a turf tussle between the chinese triads and the japanese yakuza. At the front of the film is a tough cop intent on putting and end to the reign of terror...yeah sounds boringly familiar doesn't it. In truth this film has a fairly thin story but the set pieces and shock value it incorperates make it an enjoyable view.
The paddling pool scene is particularly memorable as is the much hyped but still excellent opening scene. My favourite section from the film must be the crazy party shootout though which has seen many isolated viewings in my player. Definitely one for the boys.
|
|
|
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Miike's subversive deconstruction of the crime thriller., 11 Sep 2007
In the interview for the region 2, Tartan DVD of Dead or Alive, filmmaker Takashi Miike relates the details of the film's haphazard conception; proudly stating that the film was made in reaction to the money hungry producers who approached the gonzo filmmaker with the two male leads and the basic outline of a plot - and then told him to base whatever he wanted around them - safe in the knowledge that the star power alone would be enough to make it a hit. Thus, Miike's idea of for the film was to purposely go against this notion and to fill the film with enough jaw-dropping scenes and situations as to make it incredibly difficult for the film to play to any kind of mainstream audience. In doing so, he managed to create a lucrative three-film franchise that seems to parody the kind of Yakuza-based crime stories that the director was initially known for; whilst simultaneously deconstructing the entire language of the film in a way that is both satirical and highly subversive.
Of course, this kind of cinematic excess is easy to appreciate on paper, but perhaps not so exciting for those of us looking for a "proper film"... and, if the second half of this statement relates to you, then most probably Dead or Alive is something you might want to miss (if you do want to see Miike handle a more routine crime story, then I suggest his Triad Society trilogy, including the films Shinjuku Triad Society, Lay Lines and Rainy Dog). Dead or Alive shares certain similarities to those films, but takes it to an extreme level, in which the story is heightened to an almost preposterous level; characterised by that crashing introduction which plays like the opening credits of some hard-hitting TV cop show (only featuring topless pole dancers, excessive shoot outs, high-street assassinations and kinky homosexual sex) right the way through to that jaw-dropping final; which will no doubt have the majority of viewers scratching their heads and staring blankly at the screen in shocked disbelief. Oh no, he didn't!!! Oh, but he did!!!
So, we have a film that will certainly appeal to Miike's core audience of devoted followers who will try desperate to track down all of the 586 films he directs per year, but perhaps won't appeal to those unfamiliar with the broader aspects of the director's work. As other reviewers have pointed out, the film's main flaw is that it's incredibly lightweight; the kind of film made for the hell of it by a director undoubtedly having a ball trying to out do him self scene after scene after scene; as the story escalates into literally life-changing dimensions. Yes, it's often quite shocking and yes, it's often hilarious, but for me, it lacks the intellectual depth and broader artistic strokes of social satire that mark out Miike's greatest works; films such as The Bird People in China, Audition, Gozu, Visitor Q, Shinjuku Triad Society and The Happiness of the Katakuris.
Still, with that said, it is an enormous amount of fun for those in the mood, as Sho Aikawa's beleagured detective goes head to head with Riki Takeuchi's deflected Yakuza turned Triad against a backdrop of armed-robbery, drug trafficking, deceit, honour, family and revenge. The film's main talking points are obviously the opening and closing scenes, but between that, we have more controversial Miike-touches including a number of hyper-kinetic shoot-outs, a meeting with a sleazy pornographer (including an extremely graphic bestiality joke) and the sight of one character drowned in a paddling pool of their own excrement. There's also solid performances from the two main leads, in particular Sho Aikawa - one of my favourite Japanese cult-actors - as well as a typically manic supporting role from Miike regular Renji Ishibashi, as well as the usual imaginative cinematography, evocative soundtrack (including that thumping main theme) and a complete disregard for all notions of cinematic logic.
Dead or Alive isn't classic Takashi Miike, but it's certainly typical of his style. My advice to those new to Miike would be to try films like Audition, Ichi the Killer, The Happiness of the Katakuris and the Triad Society/Black Society trilogy first before progressing onto the warped brilliance of the three Dead or Alive projects. If, however, you're already fairly familiar with Miike's work, then I'd say give this one a try. You might not love it, but you'll certainly never forget it.
|
|
|
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Struggles to maintain the pace, but still excellent, 17 May 2003
Takashi Miike’s highly rated gangster film is noted for several things, the best known being the opening scene. This is, as has often been stated, one of the greatest openings in cinema history. Honestly, that isn’t an exaggeration, the beginning of this film is something else. Killings galore, stylish gunplay, people thrown from buildings, pole dancing and the longest line of cocaine you’ve ever seen in your life, all set to an excellent hard rock track that suits it perfectly, it is a visual and aural treat. Naturally, the rest of the film struggles to live up to the hugely over-the-top beginning, and to tell the truth, it does drag in places. That said, there are some very enjoyable set pieces, with the birthday party shootout, and the infamous ‘paddling pool’ scene taking pride of place. Oh yes, Miike-san isn’t afraid to show controversial material in his films, as anyone who has seen the magnificent Audition will confirm.
The ending to Dead Or Alive is a treat. Without wanting to give anything away, I will say that it could have come straight from a Bugs Bunny or Road Runner and Wil E. Coyote cartoon, and is in it’s own way as over-the-top as the opening scene.
Fans of Japanese cinema know what they’re going to get with a Takashi Miike film, and this delivers it in no uncertain terms. Whilst it may not quite live up to some of Takeshi Kitano’s yakuza classics (for me, Brother is the finest gangster film ever made), and could also do with him as its star, it is worth watching if only to see the beginning and end. There are certainly worse ways to pass a couple of hours.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
![Dead Or Alive [DVD] [1999]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CGVSECF6L._SL75_SS50_.jpg)
![Dead Or Alive 2 [DVD] [2000]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512YSMP744L._SL75_SS50_.jpg)
![Dead or Alive 3 [DVD] [2007]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514bfGdlQwL._SL75_SS50_.jpg)
![The Happiness Of The Katakuris [2003] [DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MEK1R13FL._SL75_SS50_.jpg)
See all Reviews
![Dead Or Alive 2 [DVD] [2000]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512YSMP744L._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
DVD ~ Sho Aikawa
![Dead or Alive 3 [DVD] [2007]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514bfGdlQwL._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
DVD ~ Sho Aikawa;Riki Takeuchi
![Gozu [DVD] [2003]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518MA3BME7L._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
DVD ~ Hideki Sone
![Audition (Collector's Edition) [DVD] [2001]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QHGKW5CRL._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
DVD ~ Ryo Ishibashi
![Visitor Q [DVD] [2001]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51J34X1CJAL._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
DVD ~ Kenichi Endo
With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is). 
Amazon Home