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1967 - 89m.
Japan

It is an exciting feeling when you come across a movie that totally captivates you. As I get older, I find this feeling more difficult to find as I have seen countless flicks and have been exposed to numerous styles so finding something different doesn't happen as much as it used to. Thanks to Arrow Films, I have not only found a film that feels really fresh but I have also discovered an entirely new subgenre which is something I didn't think could happen. This flick has opened up the world of 60s crime flicks that came out of Japan and if Massacre Gun is any indication of what's in store, there is a lot to look forward to. I think the last time that I felt excited about a genre like this was when I discovered Hong Kong action movies in the 90s.

Jo Shishido stars as Kuroda, a gangster who decides he is done with the life after he is ordered to kill the woman he loves. When his boss Akazawa (Takashi Kanda) refuses to let him go, Kuroda enlists the help of his two brothers and together they start a war against Akazawa and slowly begin to take over his turf. The two groups spend some time gauging the situation but as they get deeper, Kuroda realizes that his brother Saburo (Jiro Okazaki) is not cut out for the kind of life he is headed for. Brother Eiji (Tatsuyo Fuji), on the other hand, is gung ho and enjoys the rush as well as the fringe benefits (women, money) that come with power. The tensions between the two sides escalate and the movie builds to an impressive climax that makes it easy to see that this movie had an influence on contemporary film buff directors like Quentin Tarantino and probably many people before him.

Director Yasuharu Hasebe brings a distinct style to the screen that combines excellent performances from his cast along with a visual flair that uses the camera as an active participant in many of the scenes. Utilizing a tasteful combination of unique camera movements as well as engaging static shots, there is never a dull moment and always something keeping the viewer interested. One of the most striking shots of the picture involves two characters filmed from quite far away having a conversation as they are walking across the screen. You'll know it when you see it and I was captivated. There are also some interesting uses of zoom and panning near the beginning that let you know right away that you are watching a different kind of movie. Don't let the black and white cinematography scare you away as this in itself brings a certain mood to the movie. Hasebe is also able to bring a lot of emotion to the screen by establishing his characters quickly and making Kuroda and his brothers very unique but having a clear family bond. Although this is nothing new, it is done so well that the viewer is able to quickly identify with traits in all of them. The same goes for the villains as we quickly understand the relationships between Kuroda and the antagonists. Even though this is storytelling 101, stylish filmmakers often forget about these elements. Hasebe does not.

Viscerally, this movie has a great final act and will please fans of both gangster and revenge films. Shishido has a cool guy swagger going on that brings to mind Chow Yun-Fat in his gun-toting heyday. If you are looking for bullets flying, you will not be disappointed and it is easy to see that guys like John Woo and Ringo Lam were influenced by Hasebe and his peers including Seijun Suzuki. I am quite excited to see more from this genre and happy that there is much to discover as this one made a real impression. Hasebe brought back Shishido, Okazaki, and Fuji the following year in another gangster flick called Retaliation and then went on to make a number of the Stray Cat Rock flicks as well as some pinku eiga films. (Josh Pasnak, 7/8/15)

Directed By: Yasuharu Hasebe.
Written By: Yasuharu Hasebe, Ryuzo Nakanishi.

Starring: Jo Shisido, Tatsuyo Fuji, Jiro Okazaki, Takashi Kanda.