Izo (2004)

It was inevitable, I guess. Eventually, the prolific Takashi Miike was going to make a film like this -- all ideas, no coherence. It has something to do with a samurai who can't be killed and his rampage through history as the spirit of vengeance, slaughtering everything he sees. In theory, I can appreciate what's going on here -- it attempts to be a statement on violence's role in shaping history and the effects of violent acts on the soul of a man. The thing is, though, Miike tries to get this message across by alternating lugubrious philosophical roundabouts with blood-spattering and endless scenes of Izo cutting through various enemies. Everything that can be said has been said by the forty-five minute mark, leaving an hour of repetitive tedium that is only occasionally enlivened by Miike's skill with imagery. Ambitious, but it does go on way past its rational breaking point. How often must we see Izo get slashed and then slash through his enemies? What point does it make beyond the obvious ones? There must be reasons. Anyone who cares to share them with me, have at it.

Grade: D+