(2002)
REVIEWED BY-STEVE GENIER DIRECTED BY-TAKASHI MIIKE CAST-TATSUYA FUJIWARA, SATOSHI TSUMABUKI, TOMOKO TABATA, KAZUE FUKIISHI, KENJI SAWADA, NAOMASA ROKUDAIRA and REN OSUGI. SOURCE-ARTSMAGIC DVD (NTSC REG 0) (2004) RUNTIME-122 MINS
Truly a gripping coming of age story, spinning the route of two friends from early childhood, Eiji who is strong willed and stubborn and Sabu, who is weaker and the more sensitive of the two. Growing up and homing their skills as craftsmen, their success is drastically interrupted when Eiji is framed for a crime he didn’t commit. He is then sent to the work island of Ishikawa, where he must first endure brutal reality. Meanwhile, Sabu is determined to find the truth and free Eiji from his harsh environment. When it seems that one life is moving forward and the other is going backwards, the reality is that both lives begin to change and mature. As time finally comes for Eiji to finally be freed after so many years in the work house, the truth of his framer becomes the focus of the deciding ending, one that will forever change both Eiji and Sabu.
Absolutely one of Miike’s finest pieces of cinematic triumphs, and grant you there are many. SABU is a showcase of just how far Miike’s abilities as a director seem limitless. In many eyes, this is a departure from the usual Miike direction, in his words it’s quite the contrary, it is Miike’s usually strange and unknown world. I must agree, with witnessing many of his films such as the usual, ICHI THE KILLER, AUDITION, DEAD OR ALIVE and even VISITOR Q. SABU displays many of the usual Miike trademark in very uniquely fashioned ways. This is also Miike’s first attempt at directing a Jidaigekii, or dramatic period piece, coupled with this being a television movie would normally restrict one’s full potential. That would not be the case with SABU, all areas of this film are grand in style, story and acting. This plays out like a normal theatrically released film. All stops are pulled here, recruiting some of Japan’s youngest and hottest talents and getting them to serve up some of their best performances to date. This is a true sign of what a craftman Miike is and also a presences in the eyes of these young actors.
Though, one could easily be fooled with the subject matter at hand, and linking it to Miike’s work, there are many reminders that would bring that to a quick halt. Though for the most part SABU is a very serious tale woven from the novel written by Shugoro Yamamoto, Miike manages to incorporate his trademark quirkiness. His elusive style in bringing his strange style of humor is often present in many scenes. His ability to change with an unknown environment is like which the colours of chameleon change in front of your eyes. It’s as there is no area in film that Miike can’t do any right to. For all the bad you have heard about this film, I strongly suggest you as being a Miike fan seek out this disc and enjoy every moment it will bring you.
The new ARTSMAGIC DVD is just what every Miike fan has been waiting for. Loaded to the brim with special features that are rare on most other offerings. First let’s quickly take a look at the disc’s specifications. Presented in 16:9 Anamorphic widescreen with a superior clarity transfer that only shows the time, effort and care that has been brought into the process of bringing this title to life. Though falling a little with the 2.0 Dolby Digital audio, which is presented in it’s original Japanese with optional English subtitles. Still, the sound is very crystal clear. Now on to all the goodies ARTSMAGIC has added for extras. First off, we are presented with a lengthy behind the scenes making of documentary of SABU. Taken day by day, the viewer is presented with a very indepth look at the daily behind the scenes look at not just the production of the film, but the personal sides of the people involved with it. The effect it has on fans in Japan to have two young superstars in Tatsuya Fujiwara and Satoshi Tsumabuki together in a Miike film. That my friends is all of noticeable while shooting most of the exteriors, with all the young fans cheering and making it hard to shoot in some cases.
The documentary is followed up a massive onslaught of interviews beginning with 2 very different interviews with Miike himself. Though they are both very different in style and texture, you can’t help but wonder if you’ll ever see an interview with Miike while he isn’t wearing any shades. The there are interview with both Tatsuya Fujiwara and Satoshi Tsumabuki together and followed up by one with SABU’S very beautiful female leads, Omoko Tabata and Kazue Fukiishi. This is all rounded out with the usual bios, filmographies, trailers and much, much more. This is the second ARTSMAGIC dvd I have had the pleasure of watching and so far they are batting a massive 1000 percent!
STORY-4 BITCH SLAPS PICTURE-4 BITCH SLAPS AUDIO-3 BITCH SLAPS EXTRAS-4 BITCH SLAPS OVERALL DVD-4 BITCH SLAPS Visit Artsmagic for more titles including SABU!
