Izo is a recently killed warrior who wanders through time and space killing everybody in his way to find "divine retribution", silly plot huh? Well need I to remind you that this is a Miike film so get comfort in the fact that this is just the tip of the iceberg. I read a lot of user reviews on different websites that were mostly negative, accusing Miike of being a hack and that he doesn't even know what he's doing, i don't blame those people since i think in the end it's their point of view but I think they are wrong about this movie, there's more to it than just what you see, it's full of symbolism especially religious symbolism, the opening for example finds our protagonist a Samurai called Izo being crucified and then stabbed in the chest with a spear just like what they did to Jesus only more Miikesque, then he is somehow reborn in the shape of an undead killing machine, believe me this film is ruthless Izo kills almost everyone in his way while he's on the look for the organization that created him which is a metaphor for god if i'm correct but it could also be the Devil because i went out from this film with three interpretations 1) Izo is looking to kill god because he felt that despite him carrying the sins of the world he died a painful brutal death so he felt betrayed. 2) Izo is looking to kill the devil because he felt that he is responsible for the sins of the world hence Izo's Death. 3) (spoiler alert) the pretty boy Izo confronts in the end is both God and the Devil. This is only my interpretation of the film and i'm sure there's more into it than just this. Miike is in top form in this film ( I always thought he's one of the best working directors working today even though he admitted that he hates his job I still think he's doing a marvelous job) there's some really breathtaking action sequences here which is a trademark in Miike films, but what interested me the most is the "Tableaux" shown through the film, there's some very beautiful and creative imagery that only a genius like Miike can cone up with. This is a very good effort from Miike, this is his most experimental film (he had his share of those) absurd but at the same time very deep and thought provoking, this is a true Cult Classic and a must see for movie buffs, I guess Sion Sono's Love Exposure was a response to Miike's Izo in away but you never know, some themes are represented in both films but Love Exposure had a beautiful love story while Izo is an in-humanistic work of art.
