Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold (1964)
This film marks a shift in the tone of the series as it moves from contemplative B-movie entertainment into rousing, hyper-violent slicefest. The soul-searching side of Zatoichi is played down and the prankster spirit is amplified, and the violence is stronger (there's actual blood gushes and everything). For the first half-hour, the film toddles along in this new formula like it's trying on new shoes; after a while, though, everything clicks and the film becomes a piece with the earlier films in the series. The last fight between Zatoichi and the whip-wielding samurai, in particular, is a highlight. Welcome to Zatoichi 2.0... boy, these movies are great. Can't wait to see the next installments.
Grade: B+
This film marks a shift in the tone of the series as it moves from contemplative B-movie entertainment into rousing, hyper-violent slicefest. The soul-searching side of Zatoichi is played down and the prankster spirit is amplified, and the violence is stronger (there's actual blood gushes and everything). For the first half-hour, the film toddles along in this new formula like it's trying on new shoes; after a while, though, everything clicks and the film becomes a piece with the earlier films in the series. The last fight between Zatoichi and the whip-wielding samurai, in particular, is a highlight. Welcome to Zatoichi 2.0... boy, these movies are great. Can't wait to see the next installments.
Grade: B+
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