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Dead or Alive (Unrated Director's Cut) Actor: Sho Aikawa Director: Takashi Miike Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Pan & Scan Format: Color, Widescreen Audience Rating: Unrated Running Time: 105 minutes Studio: Kino International Region Code: 1 Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2004-10-05 Buy from Amazon |
 "A DVD zone APOCALYPSE WOW !"Takashi Miike belongs to this new wave of Japanese directors who appeared in the mid-nineties. Hysterical editings, almost unbearable scenes of torture and sexual perversions, heroes who seem to have jumped out of a comic strip are the main trademarks of the cinema of these directors. Now are they worth the time you'll spend watching their movies ? In the case of DEAD OR ALIVE, the answer is definitively YES. The two main actors, Riki Takeuchi and Sho Aikawa, are surprisingly good and the ten first and last minutes of DEAD OR ALIVE proove that Takashi Miike is a director deserving an international recognition. Anyway, it has given me the wish to see other films of Miike. The KINO DVD offers as extra bonus a 10 minutes interview with the director who's as crazy as his movies and a bunch of trailers of japanese movies. Sound and images average, no more.  "Great movie..."In modern day American cinema I feel as though big budget Hollywood is more concerned with cheesy, overpaid acting and special effects. Though Dead or Alive has its share of special effects, the camera work and acting is a throw back to movies such as Citizen Kane. While I would not place this movie in the same company as The Godfather or Citizen Kane, this movie does have its moments. In my opinion, Miike knows how to make a movie the right way, with skillful cutting and effective camera work. Even if you see this movie for its camera work alone you can appreciate it. Though this movie has its gruesome parts, aside from a woman getting killed in her own excrement, there's nothing we haven't seen already. Do not let this stop you from seeing this movie if you are at all interested in it. From the music, to the camera work, to the gruesome depiction of gang war, this movie reminds me of an Asian Scarface. Though this movie has a completely different point, if you liked Scarface, you should watch this movie. My favorite part of this movie is how Miike was able to switch from scenes of family and reality to scenes of gore and crime effortlessly, reminding the viewer that those are just as much a part of the world we live in. The scene in which the main character has a meal with his partner and his 5 yr old son is one that stuck out in my head due to the incredibly subtle and realistic acting and lack of cuts made by the camera. It is simple scenes like this that has become a lost art in Hollywood. Though this movie was superbly done, it is for a mature audience and does contain scenes of gruesome violence. Those scenes are no worse than the brain dinner in Hannibal or the shower scene in Scarface. Watch this movie for its fine acting and direction. "Why Takashi Miike defines japanese cinema."Whether it be necrophilia, murder, torture, incest, sex, or simply beatifully shot trolly shots of the outdoors, Takashi Miike has set the standard for japanese shock film. Though it isnt just the fact that he is responsible for over the top filmaking, he creates an atmosphere that suggest you are only watching a film by Miike. Miike can conquer any genre and make it his own. He can make question your trust on someone like he did in Audition. He can make you see the savage reality of violence like he did in Dead Or Alive. He can very well make you feel sympathetic and realize that everyone is vulnerable like Ichi in Ichi the Killer. Dead Or Alive is just another reason why Takashi Miike has the power to become the director for the new generation. Like Romero did in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Miike's film also give you a valuable lesson on life and always has message. Dead Or Alive can be summed up in a word as real. Everything you think is impossible is possible in the world of Miike. This film has amazing plot twists, beautifully Choreographed showdowns, and a conclusion that will leave you in a state of awe. The face and representation in Japanese cinema lies with Takashi Miike, expect to see more of him in the near future. ""If a movie has one great shot, is it worth it??""This is an intresting question asked by Takashi Miike in the 10 min. interview included in the special features section of this disc. I believe the answer quite possibly is ..yes. But Miike needs not ask that question in regards to this movie. There are quite a few of "those" shots that us cinema geeks live for, (most having to do with really cool looking actors like Sho Aikawa, and Riki Takeuchi flowing towards the camera in slow motion with a group of equally tough and cool compatriots following along)because Takashi has a vision. An underworld on the edge of implosion, a top cop refusing to help maintain the balance between "good and evil" as he sets out to crush the yakuza and triad gangs. The same cop having to give into the temptation in order to save his dying child then believing he can erase it with the pull of a trigger. A Japanese gangster of Chinese origin trying to destroy both criminal factions so he can profit from a third Taiwanies faction trying to take control. Both sides loosing friends and loved ones in this vicious turf war until all that is left is....well I'm not going to give it away. Miike creates these very intresting characters with a minimum of exposition, and a maximum of visual interpretation. And what great characters, from the supercool,and tough(Aikawa, Takeuchi)to the twisted, and amoral they all seem to have their moments of cinematic grandure. The influences jump off the screen from Seijun Suzuki(Branded to Kill, Tokyo Drifter..) to Ringo Lam and John Woo, to our beloved Tarantino. Like all the great filmakers from the second half of the 20th century, and the beginning of the 21st century Miike takes,steals, and borrows. Throws it all on a canvas, swirls it mixes it and adds his secret ingrediant..the wratcheting up of the violence, the realistic blending to the absurd. I think he is taking his place among the best at his craft. DVD- Quality is crisp and sharp. Although there are not alot of extras here, what is here is good. A trailer gallery is a wonderful highlight and a great tool to search out some of the best Japan and Hong Kong have to offer.  "Violent Search for Belonging..."Dead or Alive is an extremely violent and disturbing film by Takashi Miike who also directed the challenging Audition (2000) and alarming family drama Visitor Q (2001). In this film Miike tells a story about a gang of young reject Chinese immigrants who are "lost" in a foreign society. Under the leadership of Ryuichi, the gang attempts to regain their position in society by creating their own place, which becomes a dark area in the criminal world. In their search for belonging, they openly display their insolence for authorities and the Yakuza, since they cross paths. This leads the gang members onto a bizarre and sadistic path. Dead or Alive is definitely not a film for everyone; however, underneath the gross and ugly there is a distinct message in regards to society. This message enhances the cinematic experience, but there are several cinematic infractions besides the brutality that hurt the overall cinematic experience. |
