A Short Synosis Of The Dead Or Alive Trilogy By Takashi Miike
You might not have heard of these movies. If you’re thinking about the ones based on the Xbox and Playstation games, we’re not talking about those, but rather the trilogy of bizarre action flicks by Japanese crazy-man director Takashi Miike. This trilogy of movie downloads offers just what you’re looking for if you’ve gotten tired of the same old same old from American action flicks and you’re ready for something a little different, and a little strange.
The first in the series, Dead or Alive, was focused on the idea of simply teaming up the cult legends Sho Aikawa and Riki Takeuchi, sort of the Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino of the cult Japanese film scene. So think of it like Japan’s answer to Heat. Interestingly, the movie was meant to solve one of the main problems with that movie: The ending was kind of an anti-climax.
We won’t spoil the ending of Dead or Alive, but let’s just say that it’s certainly not an anti-climax. The entire movie is a thrill ride, starting with a rock video style montage that gets you into the movie’s world fast, and culminating in an ending that you will not believe.
Dead or Alive 2 is one of those rare sequels that blows the original away, even though the original was already pretty good. Aikawa and Takeuchi are recast as two entirely different characters, that parallel their original roles in some interesting ways. Where the first is about a cop and a gangster out to get each other, this one focuses on two childhood friends who have grown up to become hitmen who donate all of their earnings to buying medicine for children in third world countries. This movie is all heart.
Interestingly, while the movie is very positive in its outlook and portrays its heroes in a positive light, the reality of violence is not simply glossed over. The first is a wild action movie, the second is a little more honest about the weight of violence on a person’s heart.
The third takes the whole series in an all new direction, going into science fiction akin to Blade Runner or Robocop, that sort of cyberpunk, androids and megacorporations sort of theme. It’s probably the least interesting of the trilogy, but it’s really interesting for how it ties the whole thing together.
If you want more after these three flicks, check out Deadly Outlaw Rekka also by Miike. It really takes the same approach to action. Everything is very over the top and surreal, and it’s all pretty exciting.
The trailer for the first movie in the trilogy proudly declares that Miike is the mad dog of Japanese film, and it’s true, that’s not just hyperbole. The guy makes something like four or five movies a year, and has created over one hundred total over the course of his career. Not all of them are of the same quality, but for just one in ten movies to be great, that’s ten great films, which is more than most directors ever get a chance to put out.
It was released back in 2000, and stars the ever-so-funny Ben Stiller. Download Free Divx Movies What makes all this happen and how much is the cost’ The strength of the relationships and the performances tend to develop a very loyal following for a show like Entourage.
No related posts.
Tags: arts, downloads, Entertainment, leisure, Movies, recreation, reviews