Fumihiko Sori’s attempt to make an original addition to the Zatoichi martial arts franchise never reaches the virtuosity of Takeshi Kitano’s original. Needless to say, the fight scenes are better than the dialogue.
Ichi
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Reviews Counted:7
Fresh:5
Rotten:2
Average Rating:5.6/10
Rated: 15
Theatrical Release:10-07-2009
Reviews for Ichi
With its hokey, flashback-heavy plotting, unadventurous camera use and a clutch of cloyingly earnest performances, it comes across like an irony-free, mid-season episode of ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’.
Ultimately a romp, albeit one with some entertaining quirks and a strange melancholy undertow, we shouldn't make overly high-falutin' claims for Ichi, but fans of balletic fight scenes should get a kick out of some good-looking sequences.
The villains are from the broad “har-de-har” school of banditry, the action is mostly fudged, and the resolution achingly obvious.
Fumihiko Sori's film contains flashing blades and great sprays of arterial blood. The pacing, however, is as languid and soothing as a lullaby.
The fight scenes directed by Kurosawa’s choreographer Hiroshi Kuze are exceptional, actually enhancing the pathos at the heart of the film. This might be a simple story, but it’s well-told and has an unassuming appeal.
With Ran action choreographer Hiroshi Kuze on swordplay duties, the fisticuffs is suitably impressive, with even Ayase not relying too heavily on quick editing.
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