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Fireworks Actors: Takeshi Kitano, Kayoko Kishimoto Director: Takeshi Kitano Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Letterbox Format: Color, Widescreen, Dolby Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Running Time: 99 minutes Studio: New Yorker Films Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Region Code: 1 Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2000-07-11 Buy from Amazon |
 "Utter garbage, vastly overrated."This film is absurd in all the worst ways; it reminded me of Norman Mailer's TOUGH GUYS DON'T DANCE -- almost bad enough to make you wonder if it's supposed to be some sort of sophisticated put-on. It isn't, though, and that makes all the praises being poured upon it all the more confusing. Kitano has a wonderfully expressive face, some talent as an actor, and a reasonably good eye, particularly when directing scenes of violence. His first film as director, VIOLENT COP, made before he also began to also write and edit his output himself, was a pretty good Japanized take on films like DIRTY HARRY and DEATH WISH -- formulaic, but competently done. FIREWORKS features trademarks from that time, such as a strong, silent, glamorous protagonist, played by Takeshi himself,who is more likely to solve a problem by pulling a gun than by saying anything; and violence that comes in short, sharp shocks that become predictable in their unpredictability and sometimes seem amazingly sadistic. But these elements are landed in one of the syrupiest, most insincerely sentimental tales I've ever come across, of the tough guy cop nurturing his dying wife and crippled partner. Time and again we're treated to close-ups of Takeshi in sunglasses, staring off into the distance as strings saw away on the (trite, trite) soundtrack, and invited to empathize with his pain and marvel at his depths and compassion; I just sat stunned by the hugeness of the man's ego and his apparent utter lack of shame or taste. Abunai! Oh, yeah --Kitano's paintings are pretty darn bad, too. It's amazing what people will swallow if you're willing to spoon-feed them, ne?  "A Masterpiece in the Art of the Film"How can one express true beauty? The answer to this question is one of the most precious and sought after in the minds of all beings in this world. I, myself, have not the answer to this question. I cannot truly express how this film(not movie) effects me as the work of art that it is, but i will do my best. The Japanese believe that what is not said is just as important, if not more, than what is expressed in words. This concept is the keystone of the work's power. Kitano's acting and directing are astounding. Nishi, the man of few words and both violent and mindful compassion twiches as the two sides are in eternal conflict. He is most definately a character that can be put into the same category as memorable characters such as Hamlet, Raskolnikov and Camus' Mersault. I am overwhelmed by the paintings created by the crippled detective and the raw power and energy that are manifest in scenes of both complete serenity and extreme violence. If film and art are your passion, please do not miss out on this beautiful work. "A Masterpiece in the Art of the Film"How can one express true beauty? The answer to this question is one of the most precious and sought after in the minds of all beings in this world. I, myself, have not the answer to this question. I cannot truly express how this film(not movie) effects me as the work of art that it is, but i will do my best. The Japanese believe that what is not said is just as important, if not more, than what is expressed in words. This concept is the keystone of the work's power. Kitano's acting and directing are astounding. Nishi, the man of few words and both violent and mindful, compassionate action twiches, as the two sides are in eternal conflict. He is most definately a character that can be put into the same category as memorable characters such as Hamlet, Raskolnikov and Camus' Mersault. I am overwhelmed by the paintings created by the crippled detective and the raw power and energy that are manifest in scenes of both complete serenity and extreme violence. If film and art are your passion, please do not miss out on this beautiful work. "One of the 90s best"Hana-bi (Fireworks) feels like an art film. The artwork that appears throughout the film is Takeshi Kitano's (director and main star). In order to look at the film I'll have to use my insight of having seen it. Otherwise it would be too confusing. Kitano's character, Nishi, is a cop whose wife's terminally ill. The general tension of the film is due to Nishi not talking for 98% of the time. It would seem that this because he's so depressed by life that he's shut it out. Perhaps the most shocking aspect of Hana-bi is how the violent scenes are conducted. They're quiet and to the point with no build up to the events. The violence is almost natural. Of course, some scenes are childish, inspired by stuff like Dirty Harry. This is what gives Hana-bi its entertainment. It's cool. So cool I felt like wearing shades whilst watching. Flashbacks are used to explain some of the events. Music also plays and important part. It's usually used in landscape scenes when the music can touch the spectator in a melancholy way. Although Kitano's directing is amazing in its intensity, use of colour and observation, his films are helped by comedy (Kitano was a comedian before he became a director), like, for example, playing games with his wife. Hana-bi (Fireworks) shows me life's emptiness, a dull echo, prevailed only by a sense of humour and acceptance. I recommend it to art-buffs as well as anybody who can take the dramatic tension. "Oh wow!"Another masterpiece from Kitano, and not far away from the fantastic "Sonatine", but this is my opinion and there are many people who rate this one higher. Anyway, "Fireworks" (or "Hana-Bi" as it is called in Germany) is a must-see for anybody who likes movies and worth its price! |
