R E
As a Yakuza fan who just finished Kiwami, I LOVED IT. I think they captured majima perfectly, had some funny moments, and I loved seeing Easter eggs of the game. and yeah it's cheesy and you can see where they did multiple takes, but I think it does a good job of capturing the yakuza vibe!
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
04/11/24
Full Review
Winne S
i am a big fan of the game series and loved the movie i think it is a must for every fan of the games
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/07/24
Full Review
gage m
Just play Yakuza Kiwami…
Rated 1.5/5 Stars •
Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
Audience Member
At first, I was concerned about how faithful of an adaptation this film would be, and to be honest, the first hour and a half did not do much to quell those fears. The movie introduces a couple who make their way through Kamurocho, robbing stores left and right, some Korean assassin, and a pair of bank-robbers who form a two-person comedy act. As the plot progresses, we find that the couple is after money for a very complex reason, which I couldn't relay as I started skipping any scenes without actual Yakuza characters around the halfway point. Furthermore, the Korean might have had some complex motive, as he first targets the couple, then their pursuers, then Jingu himself, but I wouldn't know since I couldn't be bothered. Oh, I realize I haven't introduced Jingu, but neither does the movie.
Back to the main cast, Kiryu's actor is honestly not the best fit, but Majima is spot-on--well, as much as he could be given that the budget went straight to Jingu's helicopter. After a series of clashes between the two, Kiryu makes his way to fight Nishiki, who, again, the film doesn't really try to introduce or even set up as a villain. It was here in this final fight, as Kiryu is beat to the ground by Nishiki's men, that all hope seemed lost (for him and this movie's rating). However, all my misgivings were quickly forgotten, as Kiryu chugs a Staminan Spark, replenishing both his health and heat gauges before going on a rampage through Nishiki's men, and finally taking out the man himself.
At last, Yumi steps forward, arming the bomb to kill Jingu and--wait, did the Korean just shoot him? Wasn't he on his side? Shouldn't the main cast be the one to deal with the main villain? What?? And now Yumi's blowing it up anyway, but he's already dead? And it's a remote bomb, so couldn't she have just run away from the explosion herself??
Well, nitpicks aside, the Staminan scene single-handedly saves this movie. Ten out of ten.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/11/23
Full Review
Audience Member
I've only played Yakuza 4, but this movie certainly stayed true to the story telling and comedy of the game. It has its very serious moments, very intimate moments and very funny moments. As well as the wide variety of characters of which each has such defining characteristics. This movie is not in any sense of the word bland. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys movies that are, well... Good. If you don't mind reading subtitles that is. Which you shouldn't, it cuts you off from a wide variety of fantastic movies.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/03/23
Full Review
Audience Member
I think Miike is in his prime. He's still keeping a pace of at least 2 pictures a year but within the last 5 years or so his films have taken a considerably more sophisticated air, even if they remain as over-the-top as ever. Yakuza is a perfect adaptation of the game. While it does not follow the game's story, it flows like great fanfiction - all the game's characters are portrayed faithfully with remarkable attention to mannerisms and costuming, and the atmosphere, setting, and score are meticulously matched to the game. The changes they do make are extremely positive and make for a wonderful film - after all, if you're watching the film you've played the game, so what's the point of rehashing its story? Most inspired is the attention given to Majima - a character practically tailor-made for a Miike film anyway - whose continuous violent exchanges with Kazuma are delightful. And, as is only proper, Kazuma's fate ultimately rests with a bottle of Staminan.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/24/23
Full Review
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