Plot: What’s it about?
Always on the move, Zatoichi (Shintaro Katsu) decides to pay a visit to a former master, one of the men who shaped his life. The man, Master Hikonoichi taught Zatoichi the ways of being a masterful masseur, but also gave him immense insight on all aspects of life. Zatoichi loved and respected Master Hikonoichi, so being able to return to the man’s village and pay tribute would be a great honor. But when Zatoichi reaches the village, he discovers he will be unable to pay that tribute, as Master Hikonoichi is dead. His death was not due to natural causes however, as he was murdered by some local gangsters. That would be enough to cause Zatoichi immense pain, but that is just the start of the evil deeds within the town. After his death, Hikonoichi’s daughter Sayo was taken and forced into a life of prostitution. This happened because of an outstanding debt of Hikonoichi’s, as Sayo is made to work to pay off the debt. The pattern of those in debt being murdered is common in the village, as is the taking of the daughters to be turned into prostitutes. Zatoichi makes a couple friends and together, they uncover the truth about the local gangsters and their plot to exploit the residents of the village. Will Zatoichi be able to put an end to their crooked ways, as well as free the enslaved women?
Not very many movie franchises make it to ten installments, but then again, not many franchises involve a cultural icon like Zatoichi. After all, this series has twenty-five sequels and well over a hundred television episodes. So even though this was the tenth Zatoichi motion picture, the series hadn’t run out of gas. But the movies follow a pattern and as such, the pattern starts to wear thin in places. So don’t expect a Zatoichi volume that veers from the normal path, as Zatoichi’s Revenge runs through all the usual motions. But unlike some sequels, it does so in a skilled manner and provides a solid level of entertainment. This might not be one of the best installments in the Zatoichi series, but it is well made and is quite good. Any series that runs as long as this one is bound to get formulaic at times and that happens in these movies, but in truth, if you like the series, you’ll have fun with Zatoichi’s Revenge. The storyline is much like previous movies in the series, but the new characters and twists on the situations ensure things don’t become mundane. And star Shintaro Katsu provides another great performance, not to mention the darker edge this movie has, which should interest fans of the series. I more than recommend Zatoichi’s Revenge, as it is another solid installment in the Zatoichi franchise.
Video: How does it look?
Zatoichi’s Revenge is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. This is an excellent visual presentation from Home Vision, perhaps one of the best looking installments in their Zatoichi line to this point. The print looks pristine in most scenes, with no grain and minimal debris to be seen. This allows for such a clean, sharp visual presence, you won’t be able to believe your eyes in some instances. I found the colors to be bright and bold, but within a natural scope, while flesh tones are normal throughout. The black levels are superb here also, as even the darkest of scenes looks smooth and refined. So unless a full scale restoration is undertaken, this is as good as Zatoichi’s Revenge is going to look.
Audio: How does it sound?
A solid, though unremarkable soundtrack is used here and on the whole, it handles the material in fine fashion. You’ll hear some hiss, pops, and other signs of wear are evident, but not as many as you might assume. In addition, these errors never become a distraction and as such, I doubt anyone will complain too much. The original Japanese language is preserved, with clean and sharp vocals that never become harsh or muddled. The limits of the material prevent any kind of real dynamic presence, but the music and sound effects come through well enough, all things considered. This disc also includes optional English subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes the film’s theatrical trailer.
