| "This City Packs A Powerful Punch" |
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The City of Violence
DVD/APPROX. 92 MINS/2006/JAPAN MA15+
DVD/APPROX. 92 MINS/2006/JAPAN MA15+
9
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Usually there is a certain scepticism or disbelief that occurs when a film decides to give itself such a bold and daring title as ‘City of Violence’
(released in the Region 4 format by Madman Entertainment/Eastern Eye). The Punisher punishes, Ghost Rider rides, Lady Death is dead, but can
‘City of Violence’ truly be a city full of violence?
The answer? Both yes and no. Although the city isn’t a post apocalyptic wasteland filled with people constantly fighting, there is still a veritable
cornucopia of violence abound, from fist fights, to full on battles between two people verses multiple hordes of gangs, to violence between people
on a more relationship note, the emotional violence between a bunch of old friends who have somewhat reunited after the death of a friend. So
although the whole city itself isn’t full with violence, but the worlds, scenarios, and conflicts surrounding the various characters most definitely is.
The story starts off with one of a childhood group of friends being murdered, a person who amongst his friends was somewhat of a protector, a
guy who looked out for them, and basically looked out for anyone in need or trouble, definitely a character of honourable intent. As all the friends
reunite to send off their friend, the changes, and various paths each has taken become even more apparent and contrasted, some offering to deal
with the murderers in their own way. Tae-Su a police detective attempting to take down the murderers using the long arm of the law, Pil-Ho who is
linked heavily to the criminal underworld offering to deal with them in with the swift and brutal ways of organised crime, and Seok-hwan, someone
who could be considered a low life attempting to find the truth using nothing but a gut full of the fire of vengeance and street smarts.
Eventually the paths of Seok-hwan and Tae-Su cross, and the two combine their talents towards finding the truth, and punishing the wicked,
unfortunately the deeper they dig, the more and more apparent it seems that one of their childhood friends and long time comrades could be at
the crux of the conspiracy, and they must face terrible decisions and inner conflicts, and decide whether to follow a path of justice, vengeance, or
righteousness, and the possibility that no matter what they accomplish, they could be forfeiting their lives.
Now if you wanted excellent martial arts choreography, then you have come to the right place, not a single fight scene goes by that is boring or
annoying, and even battles that seem to draw out to unforseen proportions don’t give off that feeling of ‘Get on with it already!’. Also something I
was quite surprised with is the ‘dancing’ (what I call it when people in a fight scene but not actually fighting strafe around in the background to
give the appearance of action). Although there are certain scenes where you can definitely tell that there is dancing going on, the action in the
forefront and the shear fact that any of these people can, and often do jump in at any time, definitely take away from any negative notions I could
have towards it.
The camera work is probably of one of the highest degrees I have ever seen, usually I come across, super styling martial arts type movies that try
to be all fancy with the camera work to add suspense or to add to the notion of action and in turn hide, or get in the way of the action ultimately.
The cameramen (or women) should be given medals in this case, they capture everything, the only times things are hidden are when you aren’t
meant to see it just yet, and the non fighting scenes, IE dramatic or investigatory scenes shine through because of this also.
The sound is crystal clear, and you will barely ever find a moment when you can’t hear or define something from another. The musical choices are
both unexpected and excellent, in one scene I swore to god that the music would be better suited for a western movie, then when the ball got
rolling, I found it hard to imagine the scene without it, and the more it went on I started to wonder if this movie was somewhat inspired by classic
westerns itself.
The only sound problems, if you consider it a problem, would be the lack of an English dub, most fans of the genre don’t tend to mind this, but if
you seriously dislike subtitles, then I would steer clear of this project.
The special features aren’t terribly imaginative in their execution, but aren’t completely without merit, the ‘making of’ and ‘Cast and crew
interviews’ are quite entertaining if you are into such things, although if those types of features aren’t something you usually watch anyways,
these ones aren’t the type to make you change your mind. Apart from those there is a trailer, and stills gallery which seem to be more obligatory to
be honest. Although the Eastern Eye trailers are definitely of interest.
All in all, this movie is indeed one of the best that I have seen in a long long while, and definitely a credit to the action genre, if only more western
made films could duplicate the formula successfully . . . if only.
(released in the Region 4 format by Madman Entertainment/Eastern Eye). The Punisher punishes, Ghost Rider rides, Lady Death is dead, but can
‘City of Violence’ truly be a city full of violence?
The answer? Both yes and no. Although the city isn’t a post apocalyptic wasteland filled with people constantly fighting, there is still a veritable
cornucopia of violence abound, from fist fights, to full on battles between two people verses multiple hordes of gangs, to violence between people
on a more relationship note, the emotional violence between a bunch of old friends who have somewhat reunited after the death of a friend. So
although the whole city itself isn’t full with violence, but the worlds, scenarios, and conflicts surrounding the various characters most definitely is.
The story starts off with one of a childhood group of friends being murdered, a person who amongst his friends was somewhat of a protector, a
guy who looked out for them, and basically looked out for anyone in need or trouble, definitely a character of honourable intent. As all the friends
reunite to send off their friend, the changes, and various paths each has taken become even more apparent and contrasted, some offering to deal
with the murderers in their own way. Tae-Su a police detective attempting to take down the murderers using the long arm of the law, Pil-Ho who is
linked heavily to the criminal underworld offering to deal with them in with the swift and brutal ways of organised crime, and Seok-hwan, someone
who could be considered a low life attempting to find the truth using nothing but a gut full of the fire of vengeance and street smarts.
Eventually the paths of Seok-hwan and Tae-Su cross, and the two combine their talents towards finding the truth, and punishing the wicked,
unfortunately the deeper they dig, the more and more apparent it seems that one of their childhood friends and long time comrades could be at
the crux of the conspiracy, and they must face terrible decisions and inner conflicts, and decide whether to follow a path of justice, vengeance, or
righteousness, and the possibility that no matter what they accomplish, they could be forfeiting their lives.
Now if you wanted excellent martial arts choreography, then you have come to the right place, not a single fight scene goes by that is boring or
annoying, and even battles that seem to draw out to unforseen proportions don’t give off that feeling of ‘Get on with it already!’. Also something I
was quite surprised with is the ‘dancing’ (what I call it when people in a fight scene but not actually fighting strafe around in the background to
give the appearance of action). Although there are certain scenes where you can definitely tell that there is dancing going on, the action in the
forefront and the shear fact that any of these people can, and often do jump in at any time, definitely take away from any negative notions I could
have towards it.
The camera work is probably of one of the highest degrees I have ever seen, usually I come across, super styling martial arts type movies that try
to be all fancy with the camera work to add suspense or to add to the notion of action and in turn hide, or get in the way of the action ultimately.
The cameramen (or women) should be given medals in this case, they capture everything, the only times things are hidden are when you aren’t
meant to see it just yet, and the non fighting scenes, IE dramatic or investigatory scenes shine through because of this also.
The sound is crystal clear, and you will barely ever find a moment when you can’t hear or define something from another. The musical choices are
both unexpected and excellent, in one scene I swore to god that the music would be better suited for a western movie, then when the ball got
rolling, I found it hard to imagine the scene without it, and the more it went on I started to wonder if this movie was somewhat inspired by classic
westerns itself.
The only sound problems, if you consider it a problem, would be the lack of an English dub, most fans of the genre don’t tend to mind this, but if
you seriously dislike subtitles, then I would steer clear of this project.
The special features aren’t terribly imaginative in their execution, but aren’t completely without merit, the ‘making of’ and ‘Cast and crew
interviews’ are quite entertaining if you are into such things, although if those types of features aren’t something you usually watch anyways,
these ones aren’t the type to make you change your mind. Apart from those there is a trailer, and stills gallery which seem to be more obligatory to
be honest. Although the Eastern Eye trailers are definitely of interest.
All in all, this movie is indeed one of the best that I have seen in a long long while, and definitely a credit to the action genre, if only more western
made films could duplicate the formula successfully . . . if only.
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