Tokyo Fist

Rating:
Summary: Tsukamato fans beware
Review: Being a survivor of both Tetsuo and Tetsuo 2 before watching this film, I felt I was ready for anything Tsukamato could ever think of throwing at his core audience. What I was unprepared for was gore in bucket loads and a plot even hazier than the aforementioned films. Although it seems to be the director's style to have a less than linear plot and even less editing to a movie, Tokyo Fist seems to me as a failed attempt at a boxing movie. Self-mutilation, childhood rivalry, and a self-destructive path covers the visuals of what could possibly be the sickest overseas movie I've seen in a while. The strange thing about this movie is that it had more than it's fair share of potential. With a little storyline twist here, a little less over acting there, and a little more realistic fights on the side would've made this a good buy. Unfortunately, Tsukamato's taste for the bizzare, intense, and sadistic visuals somewhat ruined this movie. So why didn't I just give this a one star instead of two? Simple, any movie that makes you wanna barf 90 percent of the time deserves an extra star for effort. Another demented movie(with no real point) from a really demented director(who seems to have some serious issues to deal with).

Rating:
Summary: Not comparable to Fight Club
Review: I just want to mention that although this movie is extremely good it is compared to Fight Club far too much. Everyone says it's the Japanese Fight Club, but the only similarity is that there happens to be some fighting in both movies. You might as well compare the next Van Damme movie to Fight Club. But if you are a fan of Japanese films you won't be disappointed. It might not be as wicked as The Iron Man or Visitor Q, but it's still really good.

Rating:
Summary: Not comparable to Fight Club
Review: I just want to mention that although this movie is extremely good it is compared to Fight Club far too much. Everyone says it's the Japanese Fight Club, but the only similarity is that there happens to be some fighting in both movies. You might as well compare the next Van Damme movie to Fight Club. But if you are a fan of Japanese films you won't be disappointed. It might not be as wicked as The Iron Man or Visitor Q, but it's still really good.

Rating:
Summary: tsukamoto does it again
Review: If you thought tetsuo 1 and 2 were great , then tokyo fist will blow you away . It is not as sci-fi heavy as his two previous movies , but it is just as extreme , gory , fast , and violent . The plot worked for me , in the sense that it gets the movie going without explaining too much . Do not expect "Rocky" , it is much more , visually in particular . The boxing theme is done in a very asian manner , fast and furious . Buy it , you will not regret it . If don't have the two tetsuo movies , buy them as well , they are simply amazing .

Rating:
Summary: IT AIN'T ROCKY!
Review: Remember Fight Club with Brad Pitt? This is the Japanese version. A little grittier, less witty, and arguably more viceral, it evidently seeks to show what people are like behind the polite facade of everyday life. A small time salesmans' sterile life is interupted by the reunion of an old high school aquaintance who's now a professional boxer. When the boxer puts the moves on the salesmans fiancee, the salesman does an Edward Norton and becomes a pugilist. No doubt the arthouse crowd might like this film, but for those who live in the real world, don't expect a movie on fighting; it's about frustration and loosing control when emotions run amok. While not unwatchable, it's not exactly something you run out and buy afterwards, even if you like really abstract movies.

Rating:
Summary: IT AIN'T ROCKY!
Review: Remember Fight Club with Brad Pitt? This is the Japanese version. A little grittier, less witty, and arguably more viceral, it evidently seeks to show what people are like behind the polite facade of everyday life. A small time salesmans' sterile life is interupted by the reunion of an old high school aquaintance who's now a professional boxer. When the boxer puts the moves on the salesmans fiancee, the salesman does an Edward Norton and becomes a pugilist. No doubt the arthouse crowd might like this film, but for those who live in the real world, don't expect a movie on fighting; it's about frustration and loosing control when emotions run amok. While not unwatchable, it's not exactly something you run out and buy afterwards, even if you like really abstract movies.

Rating:
Summary: wow....
Review: Shinya Tsukamoto has definitely matured a great deal since Tetsuo. This is one of those movies that have a few really incredible moments and some not so interesting, slow moving parts. The 'good parts' of this film are very, very good though. The violence is very over the top and the makeup is quite grotesque. I find that the makeup in Asian films, although not as flawless as Hollywood makeup, is always tough to take. After a character endures a brutal beating (in this film the aforementioned beatings are sometimes self afflicted) their face is covered in blood and various horrible contusions, bruises, etc. While not an incredible movie throughout the climax, which is made up of a montage between the three main characters, is incredible. I'm not really sure who to recommend this movie to since it's not very similar to Tsukamoto's earlier efforts. It's one of those very original, very cool movies that you won't want to buy but will be very happy you experienced it.

Rating:
Summary: wow....
Review: Shinya Tsukamoto has definitely matured a great deal since Tetsuo. This is one of those movies that have a few really incredible moments and some not so interesting, slow moving parts. The 'good parts' of this film are very, very good though. The violence is very over the top and the makeup is quite grotesque. I find that the makeup in Asian films, although not as flawless as Hollywood makeup, is always tough to take. After a character endures a brutal beating (in this film the aforementioned beatings are sometimes self afflicted) their face is covered in blood and various horrible contusions, bruises, etc. While not an incredible movie throughout the climax, which is made up of a montage between the three main characters, is incredible. I'm not really sure who to recommend this movie to since it's not very similar to Tsukamoto's earlier efforts. It's one of those very original, very cool movies that you won't want to buy but will be very happy you experienced it.

Rating:
Summary: Tsukamoto steps in the ring
Review: Shinya Tsukamoto has improved significantly since his 1988 release of Tetsuo:the iron man. This film has shots in it that spin my brain around. The tone to this film is one of conflict, both physical and emotional. The two rivals are bonded by a faded vow that one no longer even cares about. When the other steals his fiance he soon begins to walk a path of vengeance. The final resolution is dramatic to say the least. Keep an eye on the way Shinya intensifies scenes by rumbling the shot about. If you are a fan and are not sure about this one, trust me it is his best so far. I really didn't like that they put some stupid anti-drug commercial on the DVD though, those kinds of things should only be on television.

Rating:
Summary: Tsukamoto steps in the ring
Review: Shinya Tsukamoto has improved significantly since his 1988 release of Tetsuo:the iron man. This film has shots in it that spin my brain around. The tone to this film is one of conflict, both physical and emotional. The two rivals are bonded by a faded vow that one no longer even cares about. When the other steals his fiance he soon begins to walk a path of vengeance. The final resolution is dramatic to say the least. Keep an eye on the way Shinya intensifies scenes by rumbling the shot about. If you are a fan and are not sure about this one, trust me it is his best so far. I really didn't like that they put some stupid anti-drug commercial on the DVD though, those kinds of things should only be on television.