Ichi The Killer

A little word of advice: do not mess with the Japanese Yakuza, especially if they have members as crazy as Kakihara.

If you can describe Ichi The Killer in one word, it is 'nasty'. Think of every possible way you can use that word in context and you'll find it in Ichi The Killer. It is just a nasty film. And that’s what makes it good! This of course is from the twisted mind of Takashi Miike, master of the extreme Yakuza horror theatre. For those that know what Miike films are like, you know how sick and twisted they can be. But if you haven’t seen Ichi The Killer, then you haven’t seen what sick and twisted really is! This film will seriously fuck you up!

But this film is more than just a trippy gore fest; it is also a compelling character study and even a bit of a commentary on bullying and torture. Ichi The Killer follows two characters: first, we have the masochist Kakihara, a yakuza hitman with a taste for pain who is investigating the disappearance of his boss along with a lot of money. His methods of uncovering this information are extreme to say the least. The first time you see Kakihara getting information out of someone, he hangs him from his entire body using meat hooks, piercing him with several large needles, and pouring hot oil all over him, just to start. Not only does he like giving pain, he loves receiving it too. When this interrogation brings trouble to the gang, Kakihara unflinchingly cuts his tongue off to make amends. For the record, if you can sit through this scene without turning away, you must have an iron stomach.

The other half of the story belongs to the title character Ichi, the man Kakihara is chasing. But Ichi is a more complex character than what you’d expect from a killer. Bullied as a child, Ichi has been brainwashed by a man named Jijii into a homicidal maniac whose ultimate goal is to eliminate all bullies. To add to that, Ichi is a bit unstable and, like Kakihara, gets off on watching other people in pain, specifically women. Due to Jijii’s brainwashing, Ichi tends to confuse sexual stimulation with murderous tendencies. The result is one dangerous and messed-up killer, one that Kakihara greatly admires. This all builds up to a final showdown between Kakihara and Ichi, except being fulfilled from this match up the final moments turn ambiguous, in typical Miike fashion, and ends on a rather strange note, with no real Kakihara/Ichi battle. By this point you are looking forward to this match up, and it’s a real fuckin’ piss-off when it doesn’t happen. But if you watch this with an open mind you may me more intrigued than anything.

Though this film has such a complex story and message, this film is notorious for its excessive violence – when you watch this film, prepare to be kicked in the face… repeatedly! What makes this the most sick and twisted movie you will likely ever see is the amount of violence and torture you have to sit through. You get needle impalements, oil burning skin, various forms of dismemberment involving legs, nipples, tongues and even entire bodies, skin being ripped off of bodies, and a hell of a lot of blood. It’s extreme, it’s bizarre, and it’s very tough to sit through. There is so much shocking grotesque violence in this film it goes beyond ridiculous! Consider it an accomplishment if you can sit through it without turning away.

Ichi the Killer has a unique quality; it has a deep story that draws you in, then whips out enough blatantly sickening and ridiculous violence to turn you away. In fact, this film is so shocking and violent it’s funny, and that’s what makes it so great; it will kick your ass and you will love every second of it! You’ll realize how twisted Miike is, but you’ll also realize how much of a genius he is; it may be his most fucked up film, but it is also his best! If you have a taste for blood, Ichi the Killer will satisfy your appetite. Just make sure to have a barf bag handy when you’re ready watch it.

Final Mark: 3.5/5



EXTRA CRAP
The Good: Despite how extreme the movie is, the back-story of Ichi, who is such a surprisingly complex character, makes for a really interesting and moving story. The movie has a little heart… even though that heart is ripped out and eaten by the end.

The Bad: Being that this is a Takashi Miike film, this is expected, but I’m still pissed off that he hyped up the final battle between Ichi and Kakihara, only to leave us hanging. Bastard.

The Ugly: Take your pick: the tongue-cutting scene, the metal hook-torture scene, the nipple-slicing scene, the cheek-pulling scene… there is some seriously fucked-up shit going on here.

In A Nutshell: A gore-soaked and extremely messed up action film about torture and pain from the master of twisted yakuza horror; this is Miike’s masterpiece! Great to test your limits with, but make sure to watch with an open mind and a strong stomach.

Useless Trivia: When you see the film’s title raise out from the puddle of Ichi’s semen, that is apparently real semen. Eww…

Favourite Quote(s):

• Kakihara: Damn… nobody left to kill me.
• Kakihara: There’s no love in your violence.
• Kakihara: (as he falls to his death) Wow, this is great!