Let me know if this sounds acquainted: A muscle-car-loving gang hitman able to tearing a military of bodyguards to shreds, and seemingly impervious to bullets, desires to depart the enterprise to have a quiet household life after finishing a serious hit to deliver down a rival gang. However when he loses his household and is attacked at house, after which left for useless, he goes on a murderous rampage of revenge.
Sure, once I say Demon Metropolis is Japan’s reply to John Wick, I do not simply imply it is an motion film filled with slick hand-to-hand fight (though it’s that). I imply this factor actually spends the primary 20 minutes sketching a brand new story round John Wick‘s define.
However in its very first scene, it additionally makes clear what units it aside on this comparability by including much more blood and dismemberment, and creating its personal dramatic aim by having a gaggle of fellows in demonic masks collectively assault our anti-hero Sakata – so as a substitute of a hunt for one villain, we all know we’ll see our hero acquire a load of heads right here (most likely with masks nonetheless hooked up).
It additional units itself aside with a 12-year time leap, and a light-weight dusting of political conspiracy so as to add spice. Whereas John Wick was pulled again in by unfortunate circumstances, Sakata is on the heart of a storm of betrayal and intrigue – just a few of those components tie into it having a sure air of Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy about it too.
But it surely’s far much less fascinating in being grounded than most comparable motion pictures, and is pleased to throw the occasional feat of close to super-strength into its uniquely and unmissably choreographed combat scenes. Should you’re a man employed by the demon leaders, it is like Jason Voorhees is coming for you – an unspeaking, unmoved, undead drive of violence.
The stakes right here are usually not “will Sakata make it out of this one alive”, however “what the hell goes to occur subsequent… nicely, I did not assume it could be that“.
That is the proper mark for a film like this to hit – I am clearly not frightened the primary character may die half manner by means of, however I used to be locked into this film solidly for its tidy 107-minute run time as a result of I could not wait to see what the following massive combat scene can be. They don’t seem to be all as profitable at one-upping one another each time as may make it actually one of many greatest Netflix motion pictures, nevertheless it actually works for me.
At occasions, the cause-and-effect, Rube-Goldberg-esque choreography nearly feels comedic – not as a result of it is poor or overly foolish, however since you’re used to seeing one thing like this in a Jackie Chan film. The tacky electrical guitar soundtrack form of helps to take care of this generally OTT tone – it would be mistaken in most motion pictures, nevertheless it’s all blended in the precise proportions right here.
I imply, there are clearly flaws right here – it is missing in character depth; clearly there’s an higher restrict to how a lot emotional funding you will make in a film the place the stakes are most “what wild factor will occur subsequent”; the final combat is perhaps the weakest and barely outstays its welcome (although actually has its moments) – however I had a good time, and it is easy to have any issues washed away by a banger of a remaining scene that subverts the sequel tease you anticipate from each film today.
However as a enjoyable, brutal, tight motion film for an extended weekend? I had a blast.