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Brother Actors: Takeshi Kitano, Kuroudo Maki Director: Takeshi Kitano Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen Format: Color, Widescreen, Closed-captioned, Dolby Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Running Time: 113 minutes Studio: Columbia/Tristar Studios Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Region Code: 1 Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2002-01-02 Buy from Amazon |
 "America Ruins a Great Film."I recently rented Brother on DVD here in america last week. And was saddened to find that they edited a fair amount of scenes from the original version. The movie still functions with the scenes edited out, but I felt that these edited scenes brought more clarity to the movie. The edited amereican version doesn't quite have that clarity, and therefore suffers somewhat. The edited scenes were mostly in Japanese, and gave background on why Takeshi's character was going to LA. . Perhaps the studio felt that american viewers do not like to read subtitles or don't like seeing people in other countries. I am not sure why this was done, but I think that it takes away from the movie and shortchanges the viewer. Anyhow, it is Takeshi being Takeshi, and the movie is well done. Not a bad crossover film for Takeshi and Kitano. It's rather humourous at times and there is enough bad [butt]edness going around to make even the seasoned action flix fan happy. I would give it 5 stars had they not messed with it and edited scenes from the original. "You don't have to buy it, but rent it!"It is kind of Takeshi movie. Violence, funny and try to be an art. I just don't feel anything after seen it. It happened all the time after his movie. It is hard to understand what he wants to do. He has such a reputation as a director, but I still can not get it. It's OK to watch. Not that bad. During the movie, I was not fallen asleep. I just want to say there are better Yakuza movies exist in Japan. Much better and much more. He doesn't have to make Yakuza movie. And also he hasn't reached the time to ripe yet about his talent as a director. One day, I hope he can make very best of his movie.  "Modern Musashi"Brother is a compelling depiction of the Yakuza as modern samurai - and shows exactly how glamerous it is to eviscerate yourself or cut your own pinky off. Takeshi Kitano plays his part as a hardened killer with a certain grace, from his facial twitches to his morbid sense of humor. Don't expect shakespeare - at times the dialogue is clunky and plot devices awkward - but what this movie sets out to do, it does well.  "Not too Slow"This movie is great, not too slow, like Fireworks is too many people. The action scenes are intermixed well with Takeshi's usual trivial (sometimes humorous) scenes. It show a good contrast between LA thugs and the Yakuza back home. If you thought his other movies were too slow, this will not disappoint. "5*s a brilliant movie, but buy R2 or R3 -- this one is cut!"Sony has cut this version, removing some of the scenes spoken in japanese as well as digitally editing out some of the gore and changing the colour palette. the UK R2 version is apparently the best, but for US buyers the fact that it is in PAL format is a major problem, unless you happen to have a television that can playback in PAL or your DVD player converts it for you. Simply dezoning the player is not sufficient. You won't get any picture. the Japan and Hong Kong R3 versions I believe are both in NTSC. The Japan version might be anamorphic (like the UK version) but the Hong Kong version is non-anamorphic. These are both in DTS. The Hong Kong version might be the best bet for US buyers as the menus are in English. It is often on ebay. The Australian R4 version is 'rental only' but can be found in second hand shops. Big problems: it is in pan&scan (4:3). It is uncut, however, and the colours are the original muted palette. I went for the UK R2 version and I'd urge all non-US English language buyers to do the same. P.S. Another issue with the R3 Hong Kong version -- the English subtitles appear during all the dialogue, whereas in the R2 UK version the subtitles appear only when characters are speaking in non-English languages. Also, some of the extras that appear on the UK version -- such as the documentary -- are not on the Hong Kong version. Also, a new R4 version has been released for sale; I have not viewed this version. I remain very happy with my R2 UK version. |
