Plot: What’s it about?
Zatoichi (Shintaro Katsu) finds himself troubled by his role in the death of an old woman, even though he wasn’t to blame. An old rope bridge was the cause, but Zatoichi feels as if he could have done more to save the woman’s life. As such, he seeks out the woman’s daughter and plans to make some kind of restitution. The task is a noble one, but he soon stumbles into not so noble conditions, when he finds the young woman. He is shocked to discover that she works as a prostitute and not just that, but is the brothel’s main attraction. Zatoichi is determined to turn her life around, even if it means raising the funds to purchase her freedom. Her life of sin must ended, so she can start a better life and Zatoichi is prepared to make it happen. He doesn’t have the kind of funds needed to do so however, so he looks to new sources of income. When he hustles some local yakuza, he finds himself in a lot of trouble. At the same time, he is pursued by a master swordsman and the man who claims the young woman as his lover. So he is surrounded by people who want to end his mission of good will, but he pushes on. But then he gets the biggest shock yet, as the young woman has no desire to leave her sinful lifestyle. This is the most danger Zatoichi has ever battled, so he can he manage to survive once again?
The blind swordsman Zatoichi is a cultural icon in Japan, with hundreds of television episodes and over twenty-five feature films devoted to the beloved character. Zatoichi in Desperation is the twenty-fourth motion picture in the series, with star Shintaro Katsu back in the lead and behind the camera as director. Even the best premise can be mined bare after a few sequels, so can Zatoichi still hold up after twenty-three previous installments? The tank isn’t full as it once was, but the blind swordsman still wields a sharp blade. As expected, after over twenty films, the well is on the dry side, but for fans of the series, there is a lot to like with Zatoichi in Desperation. So don’t expect a lot of new turns and fresh material, but this is a solid, though sometimes rehashed adventure. Even so, the retread isn’t that bad in this movie, as the Zatoichi character is so much fun to watch and some new ground is broken. Zatoichi in Desperation is not old news in other words, it just takes some old situations and spruces them up a little. Shintaro Katsu is still up to the task here, as his performance both in front of and behind the camera is quite solid. Perhaps his presence isn’t as strong this time around, but he still packs a mean punch. If you’re a fan of Zatoichi, this is a no brainer, but even casual fans of samurai cinema should take notice. AnimEigo’s treatment is solid too, so don’t miss another fun Zatoichi adventure.
Video: How does it look?
Zatoichi in Desperation is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. As with the other Zatoichi films released by AnimEigo, this presentation has been refined and fine tuned, in order to ensure excellent visual presence. 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. This is simply a top notch visual treatment in all respects, so kudos to AnimEigo.
Audio: How does it sound?
The original Japanese language track is preserved here, in a solid, but basic presentation. I have no real complaints to lodge here, especially given the age of the material, but the audio just isn’t that memorable. But the basic elements come across well, which is what counts, so I guess we shouldn’t complain much. The dialogue is clean and crisp, while music and sound effects also sound good. I didn’t detect much in the way of age related flaws, but a few minor defects pop up here and there. This disc also includes English subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes some character biographies, as well as the film’s theatrical trailer.
