BWH&H 2: That One
As the first sequel in this series, this one is a bit of a mixed bag. It wasn't what I had expected it to be the first time I saw it, and I was initially a little let down. Instead of following Hirono Shozo this time, we have a new main character and Shozo only makes appearances here and there. Given how things all play out, I actually enjoyed this movie much more on my second watch of it. Once you have the proper expectations, it flows better. That said, it is still my least favorite of the 5 main films.This was the last film to follow a true story too, so it's kind of cool to see the other side of things. I think the reason I don't like it as much is because the new main lead for this one doesn't have ANY redeeming qualities, and so we're just watching him screw things up everywhere he goes.
I don't have much else to say about this one. It's still a must-see if you plan to watch this series, even though it often feels more like a side story or spin off than a true sequel. You will miss important details if you skip it.
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Yakuza and Guns
I went into this movie looking for Sonny Chiba's famous martial arts scenes like Dragon Princess and Street fighter. Instead I got tons of gun fights. It is dark and bloody about how Organized crime families work. Its the 70's so the Film quality isn't up to today's standards but some how adds to the gritty dirty -ness of the topic.Recommended if you like this sort of thing.
Oh and there is a love story, while not the main part of the movie it is the main REASON for the mains motives.
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Hiroshima Death March
The political machinations of the yakuza world provide bloody, non-stop thrills in this deliriously anarchic sequel that is never less than fascinating for its attention to personal details and vivid pictorial exploration of a criminal, country-wide hornet's nest. Deadly Fight in Hiroshima may take a more linear direction than that of its predecessor due to its basis having not been finished at the time of filming, the screenplay by Kazuo Kasahara cleverly weaves an adaptation of real-life gangster Mitsuji Yamagami, whilst continuing to build upon the themes of the first Battle. Fukasaku's direction continues to impress, unveiling an eye for breathing space in the middle of the blood-flowing whirlpool; the action sequences are brutal and unforgiving with the camera work by Sadaji Yoshida, at times, mesmerising, especially in the film's final twenty minutes, where Yamanaka is hunted in the rainy laneways of Hiroshima, those are exceptionally beautiful. Despite Sonny Chiba's impressive performance as the ultra-psychotic Katsutoshi, whose manic, psychotic body language jerking movements are used by Chiba to hold Katsutoshi as a ticking time bomb keeping everyone on edge; Bunta Sugawara's weighty presence, despite taking a back seat in this episode, the film truly belongs to Kinya Kitaoji and, the lone voice of feminine voice within the first two films, Meiko Kaji. Their chemistry is fantastic; you get a real feel for these two forbidden lovers' plight, a testament to Fukasaku's handling of the romance, which is deft and touching without becoming cloying. Backed by another spidery score from Toshiaki Tsushima (who even includes a playful nod to Seijun Suzuki's Tokyo Drifter), Deadly Fight in Hiroshima might be a more commercial film than it's predecessor, but just as worthwhile, one that's magnificently vicious and brutally exhilarating.Was this review helpful to you?
