Rating: 
Summary: Zatoichi #5
Review: A great entry into the Zatoichi series, there are some awesome fight sequences in this movie and it is very in depth and relfective. All the Zatoichi films I've seen start off without much action, focusing more on building an enviroment that is beleivable and a story that is captivating. Masseur Ichi on the Road satisfies on all levels, truly a testament of what a film should be- an art form that draws the watcher into its carefully laid out story and has him emerge feeling enlightened. With all the hollywood trash being released nowadays all people want is a quick fix of special effects and shallow romance scences. A good story is no longer a necessity and is a nearly forgotten art. The Zatoichi series reminds us what film making is really about.
Rating:
Summary: Shintaro Katsu was one of the greatest actors ever
Review: A great entry into the Zatoichi series, there are some awesome fight sequences in this movie and it is very in depth and relfective. All the Zatoichi films I've seen start off without much action, focusing more on building an enviroment that is beleivable and a story that is captivating. Masseur Ichi on the Road satisfies on all levels, truly a testament of what a film should be- an art form that draws the watcher into its carefully laid out story and has him emerge feeling enlightened. With all the hollywood trash being released nowadays all people want is a quick fix of special effects and shallow romance scences. A good story is no longer a necessity and is a nearly forgotten art. The Zatoichi series reminds us what film making is really about.
Rating:
Summary: Good sequel to the first Zatoichi DVD
Review: After watching and enjoying the first Zatoichi DVD, I decided to buy the second installment. I'm glad I did because its even better than the first.
After being hired to massage a distinguished lord, Zatoichi discovers a secret that could ruin the lord's clan. This sets the story in motion as the lord's retainers send thier samurai and local gangsters after the blind masseur. In this movie we learn a little bit of Ichi's past. In fact a mysterious rival from his past turns up. We are also treated to more of Shintaro Katsu's excellent swordmanship which is even better in this movie than the first.
Rating: 
Summary: ZEN WARRIOR ROCKS
Review: Criterion in association with Janus Films has exquisitely remastered the first two of 26 sequels in the life and adventures of Japan's most popular and enduring cinematic hero, Zatoichi, the blind swordsman. A common man with an extraordinary skill and an even greater moral imperative.
"THE TALE OF ZATOICHI CONTINUES" is Volume Two of The Blind Swordsman series. Features revved up action, a lethal love triangle and a freaky one-armed samurai. When Zatoichi realizes that the lord who has hired him is going insane -- a madness, that if made public would topple his empire and the livelihood of his samurai warriors -- he flees a wanted man pursued by the mad lord's samurais and hired yakuza mercenaries. Zatoichi manages to escape until he is forced to confront his old foe -- the one armed warrior (played by Kenzaburo, Shintaro Katsu's brother who changed his name to Tomisaburo Wakayama and starred as Itto Ogami in the "Lone Wolf and Cub" series). This is a great series that has been hotly desired by an eclectic group of samurai videophiles who call themselves "Ichi Freaks." With the release of the newly restored, widescreen DVDs and the smoother translated subtitles, their number will certainly grow.
Rating:
Summary: Zatoichi #5
Review: I really appreciate Home Vision Entertainments production of the Zatoichi movie series. Each release has been an excellent presentation of Zatoichi. As a Japenese Samurai Movie fan I think that this series of DVD's is the best. The character of Zatoichi is very compelling and each story helps you identify with this Blind Swordsman who is always trying to do good for others. The examples of Japenese culture during this time period is very beautiful and detailed. Shintaro Katsu displays a wide range of emotions as Zatoichi and his display of swordmanship is excellent.
Rating: 
Summary: Uhm, yawn.
Review: I saw this on Samurai Saturdays on IFC, so I don't own the DVD. But why would you want too. This movie was pretty boring, during the 90 mins the total of fight scenes was at most 5. And the majority of the fight scenes were over in 10 seconds.
Men approach Zatoichi, Zatoichi cuts them down lightning fast, Zatoichi taps his cane on the road walking on. Yawn.
Too much talking, although some of the plots/scheming was nice, it just could have been sped way up.
Rating:
Summary: Zatoichi at his finest!
Review: Let me say this, I saw my first Zatoichi movie back when I was 14 and since then I was absolutely hooked. The move was beautifully done and I can not stress enough what an awesome character Shintaro Katsu can play. I have all of his VHS tapes and I am slowing starting to build my DVD collection. I have DVD's from overseas subtitled and let me tell you.
It invokes a feeling that no one anywhere, time, or place can in this day and age. The movies are genre films (Feeling invoking). DO you remember the first time you saw seven, primal fear, titanic - (kind of cheesy now) but at the time the movies gave you a feeling right. Well all of his movies are like that. This one here is 1 of my top 10's! 5 out of 5. He has over 30 movies made and also 100's of TV episodes. Trust me on this. Its great. Once you get hooked you'll love it as much as me. BUT BEWARE YOU HAVE TO ENJOY FILM> If those action packed rockem sockem's are your only cup of tea then not for you.
Rating:
Summary: Another great installment
Review: The second in the series developes Ichi even more, he can be truly kind to the lower classes but has disdain for the general samurai class as a whole but has much respect for what he considers honorable men. He can be kind and then brutal in seconds, his mind weighs heavy on his deeds as seen when he is thinking of his samurai friend Master Hitaro Miki, whom he had to kill. This installment is another must have, can't wait for the rest.
Rating:
Summary: Series Gets Better and Better
Review: This is the second in a series of 20-plus films about traveling masseur, petty gangster, and deadly swordsman Zatoichi. This film looks a tad better than the first one. HVE is to be commended for putting these films out in a widescreen format as well as trying to restore them to their original luster. After all, this is a nearly 40 year old movie! This film builds on some of the characters and situations from the first one so it's advisable to get that one first. One thing about this series is that it relies on as much dialogue as it does action. Zatoichi is a likable rogue, but he's not turned into a total scoundrel. If you're serious about collecting Japanese cinema, as well as good martial arts films, then the Zatoichi films are a must buy. Trivia Note: the one armed samurai in this film is played by Shintaru Katsu's real life brother-Kenzaburo Jo, who later took the name Tomisaburo Wakayama and went on to play the character Itto Ogami in the "Lone Wolf and Cub/Shogun Assassin" series.
Rating:
Summary: Quality Zatoichi
Review: Wow... I have all the Zatoichi movies on VHS and I have never seen quality transfer like this. Its extremely hard to transfer older movies like this to DVD because of the picture quality on the originals.... They did an awesome awesome job! The movie on top of that is just plain amazing as well.
If your looking at the review and wondering what Zatoichi is?
Well these are genre films. Very well put together with quality acting and wonderful cinematography for its time. The way that Shintaro Katsu can create a character is beyond the capabilities of 99% of the actors today. Well thats just my opinion.
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