Audience Member
Akira Kurosawa's third film, the sequel to his debut film Shansiro Sugata (1943) or Judo Saga Part I.
With no doubt a more fulfilling sequel, that came pretty close to being one of the first mixed-martial art film's, but it's cast of character stay true to tradition, by only using there personal Martial Art style; Sugata of course uses Judo. Jujitsu from the original is no where to be seen in this sequel instead it is replaced by American Boxing and Karate both portrayed bias-ly as animalistic and not considered an Art form like Judo, I have not met anyone nor seen much Karate in my life time even in movies, The Karate Kid is not karate its Kung-Fu or Gung-Fu one of the the first ever Martial Art Forms, I guess The Kung-Fu Kid did not have the same ring to it.
Sugata has achieved inner peace with his Judo in this film, he is no longer just a kid- he is one of the best Judo practitioners or in the film at least simply the best of all-time; he is respected and feared like a legend for the feats he achieved in the original but he feels what he did in the past was wrong and is constantly reminded by it in the film with his love interest from the original popping up left right and center. The film's plot is centered round Sugata being introduced to Western boxing and Karate, like I said is presented as nasty- animal like ways of fighting, soon or later Sugata through the duration movie must fight the two and beat them! First he must become as desolate and aggressive as them to beat them by breaking the sacred rules of Judo.
I am slowly making my way through Kurosawa's film's and already I can a theme that is popular in eastern countries, a hero who in the begging has something to proof and with certain failures he finally gets there. I don't know when it was in his film career when Kurosawa was criticized for appealing to foreign audience's, but I would not be surprised if it had began after this film, but I don't think Kurosawa is as popular as he would become when this film was released so I expect to find the evidence that spurred this allegation in his later and I hear, masterpieces of work.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/29/23
Full Review
Audience Member
The minor forgivable flaws of the first one are magnified in this one, with Kurosawa's direction not able to smooth over the dreary, scattered plot. The propaganda element is also much more noticeable and obnoxious. Even the fight scenes are boring.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
01/30/23
Full Review
Audience Member
An intricate and philosophical look at martial arts, or any athletic discipline, pervades Kurosawa-san's third film. This seems somewhat surprising as it was made just as the Japanese Empire was beginning to lose some of the Pacific territories so recently won. I suspect that Kurosawa's philosophy was influenced not only by his father, a military officer; but also by the samurai traditions of his family line. A bit of a shame that long-suffering Sayo (portrayed so sweetly by Todoroki) isn't better rewarded in this film. Sugata not only conquers the Western champion (believable, but still film propaganda), but beats his personal protagonists in three ways; converting to his philosophy, brute strength of Judo, and with a genuine smile. Sugata is at last a sensei.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/25/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Kurosawa's third. A classic story of East meets West blended with martial arts spiritual growth and two evil karatekas.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
02/07/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Synopsis:Director Akira Kurosawa continues the story of judo master Shogoro Yano and his dedicated student, Sanshiro Sugata. Seeking vengeance for the death of their brother, two young men learn the art of judo to defeat Sugata. His mastery of the martial art has gone beyond the physical realm and into the spiritual, but Sugata must adapt his skills to battle Westerners in this sequel.
Kurosawa's first film Sanshiro Sugata, was a cinematic entry that proclaimed the arrival of a talented filmmaker in Akira Kurosawa. His talent was good enough to capture the attention of japanese military PR men, and afterword Kurosawa used his talents in the war effort against the allied armies, albeit with images and words rather than a gun.
And so thus is the circumstances behind Sanshiro Sugata's successor. It seams that such pressure to produce a propaganda piece hurt this one's script. The film has a very idiosyncratic script for most of its running time, one that seams designed for people whom have a vested interest in martial arts and have a personal stake in determining which martial art is best, I understand however that these martial arts are designed as analogies for the western and eastern civilization and countries, which is fine enough, but for people whom have a limited interest in the martial arts, it gets a bit tiresome. Which is most likely a product of Kurosawa trying to please the japanese government.
However, the film does have a number of great qualities that make it worthwhile. Firstly, Sanshiro Sugata is a very likable character and actor Susumu Fujita does a fine job portraying a potentially pretentious character. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, we have the wonderful final act. The last few scenes are filled to the brim with bravura filmmaking including odd editing, gorgeous and surreal imagery, and a script that comes together with surprising craft, though such admirable qualities may be hidden from the viewer upon initial viewing, but trust me, they're there.
Though it's a shame that the political landscape at the time appears to have stunted creativity a bit, Susumu Fujita's charismatic performance and a great payoff, make it worthwhile.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
01/14/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Added nothing at all to the first film other than more action and a melodramatic subplot regarding boxing vesus judo. Not well executed, does not have an appropriate pace and was rushed to get to the formulaic fight scene at the end. Not a great excuse, but consider that Kurosawa was still working under the censorship board. Overall, a film that presents scenarios that could have been intriguing to watch but they are not fully explored in order for us to enjoy them. Instead a typical film made to entertain. A film I can only appreciate more than the rest of the Hollywood action junk out there because Kurosawa's name is associated with it.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
02/14/23
Full Review
Read all reviews
>
