Rating: 
Summary: Yakau no michi!
Review: A brilliant shabu (crystal meth) induced film about the Yakuza. The actual name of the film is Tokyo Nagaremono, and a true treat for the Yakuza obsessed (such as myself). I very much enjoy the plot, I don't like films that beat the story into your head. American cinema is designed for the mass amounts of idiots that make up this country, and if you find the plot hard to follow, you're an idiot...sorry, face it.If you found mission impossible difficult to grasp, look elswhere for entertainment. If not, this is right up your alley. Brilliant, and I mean brilliant, lighting effects cascade across this widescreen masterpiece. It's cheesball overtones are met with a drive to push cinema farther, I wish modern directors were allowed to push like this. It's occasionally comical, well photographed, story is a joy when you have time to spare, and some Pocky (available in the asian department at Safeway and Albertsons) to munch on. It is not fast paced, so enjoy on a rainy day. The character develpment is typical Japanese style, and cliche. The theme song will stick, along with the vivid color changing effects (never done like this). Watch the giant donut looking thing change from yellow to red at the end, enjoy the not so subtle red illumination on the blinds when the gangs secretary is shot. Most of all, enjoy the taste of Japan in the 60's, Yakuza style. Highly recommended for the discerning viewer. One of few films to recieve a 9of 10 rating from myself. Yakuza no michi! P.S. Look out for NonStop by Sabu, a rare treat.
Rating:
Summary: the second best film of one of japan's best directors
Review: I myself have an interest in japanese films of all genres anime to yakuza this film is probably a pinnacle in terms of the japanese yakuza genre shared with the films of kitano and the director of the this film suzuki. Now the film had great artistic licence upon first glances with a beautiful color filter distortion and a pop art gun. the plot of the film changed alot though but this film i felt was justified in being so disjointed as it was as it started in a bizarre fashion and had some strange cutting sequences and had strange locations such as the disco. the charcters apart from him like red tetsu who was the anti tetsu i thought added to the satire that liked to weave its way in out out of the movie take for example the bar fight. This movie like the best ever japanese film ever seven samurai blended many themes of cinema into one film although the huge differnce was that sevenn samurai was over three hours long this was not nearly as long and this hardly blended the as more put them in a bag, beat them and left them on the sidewalk. BRILLIANCE
Rating:
Summary: Tokyo Drifter blew me away!
Review: I'm film student whose made a habit of seeing EVERYTHING. And when i saw Tokyo Drifter, i didn't know what to expect but the visuals and crazy mise-en-scene blew me away. It's like a mixture of Jean-Luc Godard, Sam Fuller, Melville and James Bond. A film which is self conscious of its humor and its absurd plot. A true 60s art film, Godard without the manisfesto...in Japan! And what more could you want, he sings!
Rating: 
Summary: compelling, challenging, narcotic action
Review: it begins black & white and bursts into hallucinogenic technicolor. avant-filmmaking, to be sure. the sets are color-coded and the action highly stylized. james bond on acid? yep. through a kaliedoscope, too. it's hard to follow, you may have to view it 3, 4... 30 times. but it's good. i love the hero, and the doomed secretary. it smacks of true 60's film style and feels a bit like a clint eastwood spaghetti western. if you've ever seen woody allen's "what's up, tigerlily?", this movie begs to be re-dubbed with corny dialogue, it's even got the pop-music interludes. (i hope i haven't offended the purists who hold this movie sacred). i have seen it on the independent film channel and it's that kind of experience - an action movie for the bohemian, artistic outsider.
Rating: 
Summary: Criterion's DVD is not the complete version of the film.
Review: It's the original American edit missing about seven minutes of footage I believe. This is the same for their DVD of Branded to Kill, which is missing about nine minutes of footage. Seeing as how this is such an early release by Criterion (before they started anamorphic transfers), I see a good chance of them re-releasing it again on DVD (much like they did M) in the full running time and with an anamorphic transfer. This film certainly deserves it. So I don't suggest purchasing the DVD. Still, if you're a gan of Japanese cinema, this one should definitely not be missed, so give it a rental.
Rating:
Summary: Mod-gangsters and slick heroes abound.
Review: Just a quick few notes about this ultra hip Japanese gangster flick. Mod stylings, colors that jump at you, and the coolest gunman in the world. What more could you ask for in a 60's flick? This is the way they all should have been done.
Rating:
Summary: Japan's greatest avant director...
Review: Seijun Suzuki was one of the most popular directors in Japan in the '60's. His works, while wildly different in style and content from anything else being produced in Cinema, especially in Japan, were embraced by the younger generations of Japan for their boldness, style, and frequent irreverence. Suzuki was probably Japan's first director to directly challenge the status quo, and the cold bravado that charactrized the rigid image of Japanese masculinity, and the violence and military nature of the Japanese society. For this he was fired from Studio, only to be rehired because of the success of his films. His stories mix avant surrealism with striking characters, stunning camera work, and an incredible sense of the ironic. Suzuki's films can make you laugh yourself to tears, while simultaneously touching your heart, and challenging your beliefs. Tokyo Drifter, while not Suzuki's best, was his most successful film in the box office. Humorous tale of a Yakuza boss, who is trying to go good, and his top hit man. Tightly knitted and visually vibrant this story shows the difficulties involved in trying to escape a closed society like the Yakuza, and how easily the soul is corrupted.
Rating:
Summary: that BLUE suit!
Review: Stylin' color, smooth story, catchy tune... and that blue suit with those white shoes! A thorough pleasure from start to finish. Also, fascinating interview with the director - gives a real insider view on the Japanese film studio business in the 50's.
Rating:
Summary: One of the most brilliantly edited films I have seen!
Review: The only reason Seijun Suzuki's "Toky Drifter" is getting four stars instead of five is because the story gets hokey and hard to follow at times. But what a wallop the visual fireworks and rapid-fire, jump-cut editing pack! "Tokyo Drifter" is easy to understand after viewing it a few times, but initially the story takes a back seat to Suzuki's inventive, French-New-Wave style of creating the images, which are breathtaking. "Phoenix," a reformed killer for the Yakuza, dreamily walks around Tokyo after quitting the racket, expecting to be executed. But when he is called back into duty to help rid the city of a rival gang, the film "drifts" into a surreal mix of equal parts Luis Bunuel, Sam Fuller and Jean Luc Godard. The action never lets up, and the film is a wonderfully funny mix of comedy and violence. The performers even break out into song at unexpected times, although the film is certainly not a musical. You just never know what to expect, which is what makes this little-seen film so much fun. "Tokyo Drifter" is unlike any film you have ever seen. It's a true original and Criterion presents it in a widescreen version that is terrific. Contains a rare, insightful interview with Japanese director Seijun Suzuki. In Japanese with English subtitles.
Rating:
Summary: Japanese hit man gets funky
Review: This film has an unmistakably cool style. Shootouts on bare sets that look like relics of early Hollywood musicals. Old school hairdos and outfits (check out the blow dried mop and light blue suit on lead character Tetsu). Wild, outlandish color lighting and outfits that stand out from the white backgrounds. Occasional attention-gathering camera angles and movements. The cryptic English subtitles common to Asian films, and a funky, pop theme song that even Tetsu himself whistles while he works. Turns out Japan in the 60's wasn't too different from America in the 60's. The plot drifts more than its lead character. Tetsu, once the feared and capable right hand man to a gang boss, has decided to go legit and retire from the business. He finds that easier said than done, and finds himself caught in the middle of gangland wars. Can he retain his integrity while shooting his way out of this sheltered world? Director Seijun Suzuki makes sure he'll try in style.
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