Zatoichi the Outlaw, a review by Antares
Zatoichi the Outlaw (1967)
56/100 - This, the sixteenth film in the successful Zatoichi franchise is loaded with many firsts for the blind swordsman series. For the first time we get to see some blood spurting when Ichi slices an opponent, which in my opinion, is what was finally needed to make the action more palpable. This film also marks the initial offering of its star, Shintaro Katsu, as producer, under the auspices of his newly formed company, Katsu Productions. Katsu also sings what will become the series' theme song and damn, if he doesn't have a fine voice too. The final first is personal, for this was the first film in this marathon that I did not like at all. It's badly directed, sloppily edited and has a confusing storyline that had me look at the clock a few too many times before it ended. And although it never materializes, you get a sense that there's going to be a bit of pinku creeping in down the line as the following films are made. There's a quasi rape scene in the middle of the film, which if it had been made a couple of years later, would probably have had some gratuitous nudity attached to it. You can tell that either Daiei or Katsu himself, are tossing the idea around in their heads.
Teal = Masterpiece
Dark Green = Classic or someday will be
Lime Green = A good, entertaining film
Orange = Average
Red = Cinemuck
Brown = The color of crap, which this film is(From Antares' Short Summations on June 17th, 2014)
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May 02, 2024, 11:29:45 PM
