Tokyo Fist (1995)

Remains rock-solid.

Reviewed it again, and although it is starting to show a little wear and tear here and there, this simply remains a rock-solid film.

Visually very strong, beautiful soundtrack, and typical "early Tsukamoto" acting. Not a traditional boxing film (thankfully), but unadulterated body horror disguised as a drama/boxing film.

The film isn't a minute too long, goes completely wild at the end, and above all has a really nice city atmosphere. This is a bit of a forgotten Tsukamoto, but undeservedly so, as it is certainly one of his better films.

4.5* and an extensive review

Translated from Dutch · View original

Haha! What was this, then?

A nice, fast-paced, crazy movie. Practically no story, just mindless smashing. The first 20 minutes are a bit tame, but after that, it goes completely wild. A pleasant first introduction to Tsukamoto. I'm glad I have a few more of his movies lying around, because this definitely leaves me wanting more. It's not a masterpiece—it's not beautiful enough and lacks substance for that—but as an evening's entertainment, it's fine.

3* for now, could turn out higher.

Translated from Dutch · View original

A film that leaves me with mixed feelings nonetheless. Audiovisually, this is certainly a layered film. It is a long adrenaline rush in which the bloodshed and severely mutilated bodies are seriously exaggerated.

The boxing scenes look very impressive, and although the soundtrack isn't immediately my thing, it fits the overall picture well to reinforce that adrenaline rush. The blue tones certainly enhance the atmosphere as well.

Apart from that, I was mostly bored by the love triangle, and it gets more absurd the longer the film goes on. I found the whole piercing the woman business particularly strange.

Not exactly a movie I'll watch a second time, but overall it's not bad either.

3*

Translated from Dutch · View original