Shin Zatôichi monogatari (1963)'s comments

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nbats

https://youtu.be/nECRlUgMGz0

1 year 10 months ago

The third Zatoichi film, New Tale of Zatoichi (not a great title), trades black and white for color, and I do miss the silvery sheen of those two first films, but not too much. After all, Zatoichi's world is an earthen one, nearly as monochromatic, and there are flashes of the strong cinematography of the original. But we do notice the fact these are essentially bloodless films much more with the color. Where New Tale finds its groove is as a character piece. As Ichi returns to his sensei's school and perhaps falls for his master's sister, his gregarious veneer is scratched and his tragic self-loathing is exposed. There's something of the superhero Daredevil here (a natural comparison) as a man who suffers from hearing and sensing too much, never allowed to be oblivious to the injustice around him. With people after him for his righteous killing of the previous film's villain, and a scheme playing out in his master's school, can Ichi give up his sword for love? Would the cruel fates even allow it? Honor and treachery are themes that permeate the series to date, and Shintarō Katsu as the touching Ichi is perfect at navigating those currents.

3 years 10 months ago