Film: Yakuza Weapon
UK Release date: 7th May 2012
Certificate: 18
Director: Tak Sakaguchi & Yudai Yamaguchi
Starring: Dennis Gun, Cay Izumi, Shinji Kasahara, Mei Kurokawa, Akaji Maro
Running time: 106 mins
Genre: Action/Sci-fi
Country: Japan
Subtitles: English
Reviewer: Adam Wing
Teaming up with cult actor/director Tak Sakaguchi (Versus)
for another deliriously demented offering, it would seem that Sushi Typhoon is
back in business. Co-directed by Yudai Yamaguchi, and featuring action
direction by Yuji Shimomura (Death Trance, Versus, Shinobi), with special
makeup effects provided by Sushi Typhoon regular Yoshihiro Nishimura (Tokyo
Gore Police, Helldriver), Yakuza Weapon is based on an adult comic created by Ken
Ishikawa, who also had a hand in Cutie Honey. I think it’s safe to assume that
we’re not entering period drama territory here.
It’s the usual drill. High-octane action, human weaponry,
CGI bloodlust and yakuza gangster fodder, brought to you in glorious high
definition - I mean really, what’s not to like? You either love this kind of
thing or you don’t, and I doubt very much Yakuza Weapon will do enough to
change your opinion either way. The yakuza underworld is ruled by chivalry and
loyalty (you’ll hear that a few times in this one), otherwise known as ‘Jingi’.
If a yakuza violates Jingi there is hell to pay, because the yakuza live and
die by their principles.
Ex-yakuza Shozo Iwaki (Tak Sakaguchi) is working as a
bullet-dodging mercenary in South America when he learns of the death of his
gang boss father, Kenzo (Akaji Maro). On his return, Shozo discovers that
Kurawaki (Shingo Tsurumi) has double-crossed and assassinated Kenzo, leaving
Shozo in charge of the Iwaki Family. In a fight to the (near) death, Shozo and
Kurawaki are badly injured, with Shozo losing both an arm and a leg. This wont
be much of a surprise to Sushi Typhoon regulars, but Shozo wakes up with a
cannon attached to his arm socket and a rocket launcher where his left leg used
to be. What’s more, it hurts like hell when he fires them.
Soon enough, Shozo is looking for revenge on Kurawaki, but
Kurawaki has made a few ‘enhancements’ of his own. He also has the hots for
Shozo’s former ‘piece’, and Nayoko (Mei Kurokawa) spends most of the film in
restraints - it really is a no lose situation for the viewer on this one.
Shozo’s past comes back to haunt him when former best friend Tetsu (Jun
Murakami) is ‘recruited’ to hunt him down. I wont give too much away (it’s
probably best if you discover it for yourself), but let’s just say Tetsu knows
a thing or two about arresting armoury. Maybe now’s a good time to mention the
killer nurses too? Trust me on this one; every base is covered in Yakuza Weapon
- twice over. Except maybe subtlety, they never quite got a handle on that one.
As much as I love the work of Tak Sakaguchi, I do wish he’d
tone his performance down a bit at times. He’s not the only one at fault - most
of the characters are as OTT as the action sequences in Yakuza Weapon - but there
are times where you’ll wish they’d rein it in a little. Repetitive action
sequences frequent the first act, and the pace sags ever so slightly as a
result, but it’s not long before Sakaguchi finds his feet and Yakuza Weapon
gains ground. For the most part, the action sequences are well choreographed
and beautifully shot. One scene in particular – where Shozo takes on a horde of
hoodies in an abandoned building – is five whole minutes of popcorn pleasure
and exuberance. Sushi Typhoon movies are known (and loved in parts) for their
use of cheap but inventive CGI effects, with Yakuza Weapon however, the effects
are impressive throughout.
What Sushi Typhoon movies aren’t big on is plotting, but
there’s plenty going on in this one, and Team Sakaguchi benefits greatly from a
darkened storyline that digs that little deeper. Having said that, once we hit
the home straight, Yakuza Weapon frees itself from its shackles and runs riot
all over the TV screen. The final act is unbelievably satisfying; with flying
body parts and CGI blood doing battle with inventive direction and ingenious
plot twists. Dripping with invention, insanity and distaste, Yakuza Weapon
doesn’t even pause for breath. Killer nurses with claws and apocalyptic
appendages do battle for your affection, with Sakaguchi taking the term ‘women
are weapons of war’ a little too literally - not that I’m complaining in the
slightest.
Tak Sakaguchi thrills and frustrates at times, but he
certainly knows his way around a camera lens, and Yakuza Weapon is all the more
enjoyable for it. Taking a dump on the cinematic excess of Tokyo Gore Police
but falling short of majestic monster-mash Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl,
Yakuza Weapon is a return to form for all things Sushi. Now can somebody please
release Mutant Girl Squad in the UK?
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