Kitano is a master when it comes down to Japanese crime movies. It's not only the crime that he is showing (explicitely), but the characters he is describing. And while a friend of mine felt this was weak for Kitano standards, he admitted he thought it was still a good movie. I only agree with the latter.
Of course he has done better movies (Hana Bi to name but one), but still that does not diminish this one as a lesser effort. It is a different beast. Which also is true of his character and/or the other characters. With a weird sense of humor (and Honor), this goes places some only dream of. And does pull it off so easily you wonder, how it comes that there aren't many other movies with that easy flow, when it comes down to portray criminals as human beings too.
Consider it a comedy or an action movie (or both for that matter), one thing is for sure: If you let yourself into it, you will enjoy it very much
Edit: since I'm about to watch the sequels I did have another in depth look into this. Now I would understand if some may think of this as all over the place or quite convoluted. And yes the twists may be also too much for some - but the movie does excel not just in its violence, but also its quiet moments. One thing is for sure - you don't want to mess with these guys ...
Of course he has done better movies (Hana Bi to name but one), but still that does not diminish this one as a lesser effort. It is a different beast. Which also is true of his character and/or the other characters. With a weird sense of humor (and Honor), this goes places some only dream of. And does pull it off so easily you wonder, how it comes that there aren't many other movies with that easy flow, when it comes down to portray criminals as human beings too.
Consider it a comedy or an action movie (or both for that matter), one thing is for sure: If you let yourself into it, you will enjoy it very much
Edit: since I'm about to watch the sequels I did have another in depth look into this. Now I would understand if some may think of this as all over the place or quite convoluted. And yes the twists may be also too much for some - but the movie does excel not just in its violence, but also its quiet moments. One thing is for sure - you don't want to mess with these guys ...