Hanabusa can finally do what he does well: deliver dramatic moments whose origin lie in narrative twists or in unexpected turns in the bursts of violence.
Category: Action
Yin Yang Master Zero (2024) review [Nippon Connection 2024]
A fantastical visual experience like no other.
Tokyo Revengers 2: Bloody Halloween – Destiny (2023) review
A prime example of a cinematic narrative that is solely made for the fans of the manga and the anime.
Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters (1968) review [The Godzilla Project]
Honda delivers another narrative in which Otherness is feared and a deceptive imaginary sense of societal harmony is subtly celebrated.
Kingdom III: Flame of Destiny (2023) review
A straightforward action-epic that delivers everything fans of the manga and the anime desire.
The Execution Game (1979) review
A satisfying and stylish conclusion full of captivating action-sequences.
Kingdom 2: Far and Away (2022) review
An epic and quite emotional experience that sadly fails to reach it full potential by holding on too tight to its shonen-roots.
Man Who Causes A Storm (1957)
Inoue’s rags-to-riches narrative might not escape the territory of predictability, but he puts enough thematical meat on the table so that the spectator, in full knowlegde of how the narrative will unfold, still comes away fully satisfied.
Pure Japanese (2022) review
Matsunaga’s narrative lacks the glue that would put all the parts fluidly together and create a truly impactful action experience.
Violent Streets (1974)
A nihilistic and violent yakuza classic.
The Killing Game (1978) review
Murakawa delivers a satisfying sequel.
Golgo 13 (1973) review
A pleasant action-narrative that is all about celebrating the character Golgo 13
The Executioner II: Karate Inferno (1974) review
Toei delivered a cheap imitation of a western espionage-narrative with a severe lack of martial arts.
The Legend and The Butterfly (2023) [Japan Cuts 2023]
The combination of historical anchor points, a phantasmatic romance to link those points together, and satisfying burst of action will surely be able to satisfy those who thirst for a modern take on the period drama.
The Most Dangerous Game (1978)
A stylish noirish experience that offers many satisfying action moments and a chance for the male spectator to fleetingly savour an impossible fantasy of male desirability.