Zatoichi in Desperation

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Christopher B While some critics have given a negative or harsh opinion of this 24th Zatoichi film, I rather enjoyed it and found a lot to like, despite the nihilistic and depressing tone of the film. It was Shintaro Katsu (Zatoichi) himself that directed this installment and utilizes many unusual angles and camerawork. I thought the tone and brutality was actually a welcome change of pace for me actually. Yes it's hard to watch as the evil and brutal yakuza mock, torture, and murder any and everyone they find problems with or even simply just to pass the time with. But this tone is simply a progression for Ichi as he has endured a lifetime of battle and all the associated suffering from it, both physically and mentally. The film is very very dark and offers not even a glimpse of hope or humor to break this bleak feeling but it's believable and lends a very heavy and harsh but needed dramatic weight to the series. This is a different film in the saga but one that is all the better for it! Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/06/22 Full Review Audience Member Some great scenes and ideas, but I don't like my Zatoichi films so bleak. There is also a scene that completely repulsed me, and it had no point in the story. You'd know the scene when you see it. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member I find this entry of the Zatoichi series very poor. Katsu himself is behind the camera, and his sloppily directed opening is terrible rather than tragic. Thrown in the weird plot of a prostitute who doesn't want to leave a life of crime, but it makes no sense since she could leave with her lover. Throw in a subplot about another prostitute who gets no closure and you get the idea. Zatoichi dispatches the only real threat to him halfway through the movie, and even with mangled hands he ties his blade to his wrist and still defeats the big baddie, who runs away in a weird slow motion in real time at the end. Messy, unfocused, and simply not interesting, Zatoichi in Desperation has decent blood effects and nothing else. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member Very unique amongst the series, it's almost painfully too dark to watch at times. The metaphor of the sardines gasping for air signifies the relentless torture in hand for Zatoichi and the downtrodden in this scorcher. It's essential viewing but do be prepared--it's not for those with weak stomachs. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member Definitely A much darker and gritty Zatoichi. Very grindhouse feeling with some amazing camera work. Toatlly enjoyed it Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member Avec ce 24ème film de Zatoichi, Shintaro Katsu (interprète du rôle principale et qui produit la série depuis 5 ans) passe lui-même derrière la caméra. Et il s'en tire particulièrement bien, signant un film très stylisé dans l'esprit des films américains des années 70, avec encore une fois une musique jazzy très moderne. Mais le film se distingue aussi par une fin particulièrement violente, qui vaudra à cet épisode la deuxième restriction d'age minimale depuis le début de la série. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Zatoichi in Desperation

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