Versus

Rating:
Summary: Stylish But That's About It!
Review: I liked this movie but for all the wrong reasons. The style of the characters particularly the martial arts sequences and even gun battles against a horde of undead were done very well. However the presentation seemed flat. It didn't feel like I was watching a zombie movie. Felt more like I was watching a Tokyo Pop video or something about the Yakuza. There are of course Yakuza types in this movie but they aren't exactly the bright kind. The zombies were done okay but it would've been nice if there were some of the undead showed more advanced signs of decay. But I am just being picky here. It's an okay film but I would rent it first.

Rating:
Summary: Moderate and Disappointing
Review: It sounds cool. The DVD has a neato cover. It has a neat name. It's made by the Japanese (which already brings me to attention, I love Japanese films). But sadly, Versus ended up being nothing but pulp. From its start I had a bad feeling, as I saw the first of many canted angles that the director was using to cover up the fact that its characters aren't imposing enough in reality.

The entire film is like a single scene in a video game. Now, don't get me wrong, movies that emulate video games can turn out excellent. Versus however, never lets itself off the ground to supply a story to go with that video game. We begin on two escaped convicts who are running from their captors and end up in a beautiful forest. They meet up with a group of Yakuza gangsters who have kidnapped a girl and continuously insist that our main convict (I'll call him the Hero, because his name is never mentioned, and I still don't know it) and the girl must be kept alive because of anonymous "orders". Then the zombies appear from some lame plot device and then the plot vanishes. And there's a bad guy in there somewhere.

While totally banal and pointless, the film does do a good job with its real purpose, making good action sequences, of which there are many. The film has some absolutely incredible action stunts and fight sequences, and some cool-ass cliches that are so snazzy that you laugh with girth. The movie is also chock full of "bishonen", or hot, pretty guys, to satisfy any girl's attraction.

While including some fun shots and a few cool moments, they number 1 in 10, and so the movie still tanks. There is one thing it proves, though. Even through the banality of the movie, it still proves that the Japanese are the coolest people on Earth.

Rating:
Summary: VERSUS DIRECTOR HAS SINCE DONE BETTER!
Review: VERSUS was a good start, but since this movie, he has directed a much better film - AZUMI.
Versus was a warm-up compared to Azumi. Where Versus lacked in storyline and character development, as well as better action, AZUMI picks up and runs away with it!

But he has yet to reach his peak, however. AZUMI, though better than Versus by far, still has some way to go. But he is surely getting there.

Rating:
Summary: A rollercoaster ride of blood and guts
Review: Welcome to the Forest of Resurrection, located somewhere in Japan. A brooding, oppressive place far from the view of prying eyes, the forest serves as a hiding place for many unsavory characters. Certain members of a yakuza gang bury their victims here. Escapees from nearby prisons melt away in its deep recesses. Sometimes these two elements meet, the yakuza and prison escapees, and all heck breaks loose. Maybe bloodshed in the Forest of Resurrection is a necessary event, part of a timeless struggle between the forces of good and evil. Maybe the most recent encounter between these prisoners and criminals is the result of some predestination of primordial origin beyond all human understanding. Whatever blood soaked events take place in the Forest of Resurrection, we are relatively certain it has something to do with the fact that this place is one of the 666 gateways to the underworld. The movie never informs us where the other 665 doorways are or what shenanigans go on there. Perhaps it is just as well considering the troublesome happenings in the Forest of Resurrection.

"Versus" is a massively entertaining film from Japanese director Ryuhei Kitamura, a lengthy mind bending gorefest about the timeless struggle between good and evil. Think "Evil Dead" with an Asian attitude slathered with generous helpings of martial arts as you watch two prisoners, one known as KSC2-303, escape from prison and meet up with a carload of posturing thugs dressed in black suits. A lengthy, talky scene takes place as the prisoners and the gangsters meet on a deserted road inside the Forest of Resurrection. The scene seems to run on for ages until you realize it serves as a way to establish some of the characters. We also meet an enigmatic young woman who seems to know more about the area than she is willing to let on at the moment. Things go south quickly between KSC2-303 and the yakuza thugs, resulting in a bloody gun battle and the horrific realization that the dead don't stay dead in this scary place. KSC2-303 flees into the forest with the woman with the remaining yakuza hot on their trail. What follows are lengthy scenes of absolute carnage as the two sides spar with each other for possession of the woman, and with the reanimated corpses of dozens of victims of the very same thugs now roaming through the forest. Further difficulties arise with the arrival of an immortal killer, a few scary looking assassins, a couple of cops in pursuit of the prisoners, and the realization that the woman carries something within her body that promises eternal life.

"Versus" delivers rapid-fire gore and goofy humor all wrapped up tight in an engaging story line. Heads explode, limbs fly off, and blood sprays like a geyser throughout the movie as bullets and swords rend the flesh of both the living and the dead. The humor is often ridiculously hammy, sort of a deft mix between the ghoulish giggles of a Quentin Tarentino or Sam Raimi film married to numerous running sight gags. As for the engaging story line, well, imagine a place where the same people endlessly reappear to do battle through the ages, but with a huge twist at the end of the film that makes you question the entire structure of the preceding events. Moreover, "Versus" manages to achieve a rather stylish appearance despite its miniscule budget. Check out the flashback sequences where all of the characters appear decked out in colorful, elaborate samurai garb, and I think you will acknowledge that "Versus" does a good job realizing its plot. It isn't surprising at all to hear about this film earning a place in the cult classic pantheon.

Yeah, the film runs a bit too long, and the plot doesn't make much sense for roughly the first half hour, but give it a chance and everything will fall into place. I recommend picking up the Director's Cut edition if for no other reason than you should always watch a movie in the form the director intended it to take. The DVD edition throws in a bunch of trailers for other Japanese films, a commentary track from the director, and a widescreen picture transfer. Good stuff, this "Versus," and definitely worth a watch for the discerning horror buff. Is it the best film the Asian market has to offer? No, but who cares? It is still entertaining as all get out, gory as all get out, and often ridiculous as all get out. So, get out and pick it up right off. Some people hate "Versus," and some people love it. Count me among the latter.

Rating:
Summary: This is as good as it gets?
Review: This movie was worse than battle royale. It should have been a cartoon. Easily one of the worse movies I own. Make children of the living dead look like an oscar nominee. Piss on this burning pile of crap, or not what do I care. BAD! BUT THATS JUST ONE MANS OPINION> YOU BE THE JUDGE.

Rating:
Summary: FUN!
Review: Ferocious and slick, over the top gory, ...funny! This film needs no introduction or apologies, go out and buy/rent it NOW. I noticed that people compared it to "Evil Dead" ... WRONG! Some folks think that "JUNK" is better ... WRONG! Maybe if you have limited exposure to extreme films, you might make these comparisons. The hardcore folks are looking for Barrel Entertainment or Unearthed film releases, but this is not that kind of movie. This movie is more fun than 95% of Shriek Show or Grind House releases and you can forget about the major players from the US. The extreme martial arts movies like "Riki Oh - The Story of Riki`" can't even come close. The plot is reasonable and requires you to keep watching to unfold. If you like gore, you will have no problem keeping up with the action.

...

Rating:
Summary: yo goober, where's the plot
Review: I am still relatively new to the genre, but having seen and enjoyed "battle royale" and "dead or alive" I decided to continue down the slippery slope of imported violence/gore.

"Versus" celebrates conflict...in fact due to the special nature of the woods within which the film transpires, the main characters get several chances to kill the same people, each demise more gruesome the first. What the movie lacks in plot and dubbing (more a matter of translation e.g. "You'll never hit me with a bullet that slow! My reflexes are 500 times faster than Mike Tyson's!") it makes up for with esthetically pleasing battles and backgrounds, the utilization of a vast array of weapons, and a decent soundtrack.

The movie is intentionally humorous with the absurdity of its violence and outlandish characters. Take, for example, the following scene:

Police Officer: We've found you... prisoner KSC2-303 ...give me my right hand back"
[Prisoner KSC2-303 throws him a random, severed hand]

[Upon trying to re-fit the newly acquired hand onto the stump of his right forearm...]
Police Officer: What's the big idea, this is a left hand!!

[Just as he finishes, his head explodes, leaving a soft-ball sized crater where his face once occupied.]

The movie can be confusing at times, but if you stick with it, things start to make sense. As there are no lulls in the action, it's quite easy to maintain the focus required. As a whole, the movie is thoroughly enjoyable and makes for an easy way to diversify one's collection of gore-heavy films.

DVD extras include trailers for Samurai Fiction, Kunoichi, Pyrokinesis, and Pistol Opera as well as commentary options with Ryu Kitamura (director) and either cast or Keishiro Shin (producer). The commentary with RK and KS was very informative and entertaining as they explain many of the shots, monetary issues, and differences between the Japanese and over-seas audience.

Rating:
Summary: Good vs. Evil
Review: Versus is a film about the struggle good between evil, and it begins with two escaped convicts that are running to a meeting spot in a forest. What is unknown to the convicts is that the forest is cursed by wicked magic which leads to a struggle for survival. As the struggle begins, it is evident that their actions dictate what is good and evil, however, sometimes it is a little more ambiguous as to what is evil and what is good. Versus is a film filled with violence and death that keeps repeating itself throughout the film, which gets to the point monotonously. Nevertheless, there is an underlying fundamental idea that the actions make the person which can help clarify the ending of the film. In the end, the film stretches out becoming monotonous and boring which results in a rather mind-numbing cinematic experience.

Rating:
Summary: Evil Dead Comparison = Blasphemy
Review: If you've read the other reviews you already know the basics of this film. Its a kung fu flick with some zombies, over-the-top gore, horrible over-dubbing, annoying humor, fist fights, gun fights, and sword fights. The comparisons to Evil Dead, Reservoir Dogs, et cetera should cease. This film is nothing like either movie. The fights are decent, the gore is fun, but that still leaves this movie needing more to be taken seriously. If you're looking for a fun, dumb, gore-filled kung fu flick then get Versus.

Rating:
Summary: Where's Bruce
Review: Simply put... if you like Evil Dead you will like this movie. It is basically a Japanese version of Evil Dead with cooler fighting scenes but lacking Bruce and his great one liners. I've heard people complain about the dubbing... If you get a foreign film DO NOT WATCH IT DUBBED.. thats an important rule... it's all about subtitles... Anyways this movie is funny and has great fighting scenes but I kept expecting to see Brucey :(... One of the greatest fight scenes ever is at the end though.