Set in Japan, this over the
top gore-fest by cult director Takashi Miike, follows a self styled vigilante named Ichi as he goes around carving
up Yakuza bosses in a very brutal, not to mention hilarious, manner.
Wearing a padded leather “super hero” outfit and cycling between jobs, because he can’t drive, it soon becomes apparent that Ichi (Nao Omori) isn’t your typical good-guy (if you could call him that). Although an expert in martial arts, he's also mentally ill, and being exploited by a small group of ex-Yakuza who want revenge on their old bosses.
Psychotic mob boss Kakihara (Tadanobu Asano), who has a penchant for torturing people with long needles, takes it upon himself to track down the mysterious Ichi. Not because he wants him dead or anything, but because he’s also a complete masochist and thinks Ichi is the only person capable of inflicting enough pain on him to get proper enjoyment from.
Ichi continues to carve a trail of blood and intestines as he goes around taking out more and more Yakuza operations, despite the fact he hates killing and bursts out crying after each job. Meanwhile, his opponent Kakihara spends his time torturing his way through anybody he thinks may know who the mysterious Ichi really is.
Darkly humoured, with over-the-top blood and guts action. If you love films like “Bad Taste” or “Braindead” you’ll certainly get a kick out of this one. But could somwone please tell me why all Disc covers and promotional material to this film (including the artwork pictured above) all feature the Kakihara, the psychotic Yakuza boss and NOT Ichi. As the film is called "Ichi the Killer", why isn't Ichi on the front? Anyway, check it out!
