Hey folks, Harry here with the latest Miike film. IZO. Oh yes, IZO. We've been writing about this one for a while - and here's a really nice look at it. I'm still hoping to see Miike's live play production of YUKI'S REVENGE, the lost chapter of KILL BILL. Sigh, let's dream. Here ya go...
I'd like to start this review by saying that though I loved IZO, I can hardly discredit those who did not. It's a crazy movie that stars a completely despicable hero, and really doesn't have a normal cohesive narrative. I understand all of this, and quite simply, it's for those reasons that I love the film.
For all those non-Miike fans wondering what the hell this is, here's the long and short of it: A feudal assassin named Okada Izo is crucified for his killing ways. His vengeful spirit lives on, however, and he goes on a killing spree through space and time. Spliced with his fight scenes is philosophy heavy dialogue. There you go. I think you know already whether this one is for you or not.
Now, why did I like IZO? First and foremost, the film is visually spectacular. Everything from the set, to the costume design, to the camera work makes IZO a visual blast. It's simply gorgeous to look at. Next, I liked the music. Almost the entire score is dedicated to a Japanese folk guitarist who screams his lyrics over deft string-work. Some people are annoyed by him, but I loved his stuff. It was so different, and it went well with IZO, because IZO itself is a very different kind of film.
This is where people really either get on the bus with IZO or run and hide for cover. IZO doesn't play by the rules of cinema. At all. The main character may be running through a modern day city one second, and through feudal Japan the next. He fights waves of people we have no idea about. The movie jumps and skips and flies all over the place. Why? Well, Izo is making his way towards killing God and he's pissing off everybody by doing so. He's the incarnation of man's pointless struggle and tenacity. He's a killer, and he's moving through a world that is sort of between the spiritual realm and our own. IZO isn't the first movie to take place in this confusing, surreal sort of setting, but it is the first one to really run with the idea. The place where Izo is fighting doesn't follow the rules of our world, and in a bold move, the film really dedicates itself to that id I won't go too far into detail about the World War 2 imagery or the "political" footage that pops up in the film. I disagree with many reviewers when I say that I don't think IZO has a political message. I believe that its creators simply wanted to get the movie-goers to draw some connections between this admittedly preposterous film, and real life. I don't think the film is about the war in Iraq, and I don't think the film is about Nazis and I don't think the film is strictly about Japan's bloody past. I think the film is more internal than all of that. Izo doesn't represent "war" so much as that need in us all to struggle against our maker.
Entertainment wise, IZO more than delivers. The action is very well done, and I found myself really enjoying the fight scenes. Don't be fooled. IZO is not a samurai movie. It's a crazy movie. And a movie that I fully recommend. All the way baby!
P.S. If you use this, call me Jeff Grey.
