Full Metal Yakuza
(aka; Full Metal gokudô)
(Artsmagic Region 1 DVD)
(1997)
review by Head Cheeze

Takashi Miike and Yakuza films seemed to be an inseparable pair for the early part of his career. His "Dead or Alive" series and the acclaimed "Fudoh" were classic examples of the filmmaker's unique visual style and sensibilities, as well as proof that great films could be made on very meager budgets. Full Metal Yakuza, an extremely low-budget flick made for the very lucrative Japanese direct-to-video market, isn't exactly the most polished film, but it's still a helluva lot of fun!

A bumbling Yakuza-in-training, Hagane has doubts about whether or not he's truly cut out for the mob lifestyle. His only motivation for remaining in the Yakuza is his admiration for his honourable boss, who playfully entrusts Hagane with a billfold before embarking on a long trip. When the boss is ambushed, he is arrested after a bloody swordfight, and tossed in prison. As the boss serves out his sentence, Hagane proves to be an even worse Yakuza than even he'd expected, and finds himself under the scrutiny of his brethren. When Hagane's boss is released from jail, Hagane is elated, and is especially happy to find that he is assigned to escort him back to his home. However, it soon becomes apparent that the boss is being set up by rival gangs who've made deals with those in Hagane's gang, and both Hagane and his boss are gunned down outside the compound. When Hagane next regains consciousness, he finds that he has been the subject of a twisted experiment. A mad scientist has mixed and matched useable body parts from both Hagane and his boss, and enhanced them with robotic elements, as well as a healthy dose of armour. Now, Hagane finds himself stronger, faster, and nearly invulnerable. He is the Full Metal Yakuza!

Miike obviously took a page from Paul Verhoeven's Robo-Cop with Full Metal Yakuza, taking a "good guy", having him violently dispatched, only to be resurrected as a lethal robotic killing machine, but you have to admit, it's still a pretty cool premise, especially when you factor in the whole Yakuza angle. The bulk of the film is played for laughs, with deliriously over-the-top fight scenes, grindhouse style bloodbaths, and Miike's visual acrobatics. The film is very cheaply made, and it's most apparent when Miike tries to show the film's sci-fi side, but this "cheap" look adds to the overall charm. One can tell that everyone involved here was having a blast, and the enthusiasm is infectious.

The DVD from new "Japanese Specialists" Artsmagic is a nice set that features in-depth interviews with Miike and editor Yasushi Shimamura, a commentary track by author Tom Mes, bios and filmographies, and a very nice, digitally enhanced 16x9 anamorphic transfer.

Full Metal Yakuza is a hugely entertaining film that is a must-buy for Miike enthusiasts and action fans alike. If this disc is any indication as to how Artsmagic will be treating future releases, then Japanese cinema fans have a lot to look forward to.

Click here to visit the company's sites for more info:

UK site: http://www.artsmagic.co.uk/fullmetalyakuza

US site: http://www.artsmagicdvd.com/fullmetalyakuza