Impossible not to compare Zatoichi to the style of films made by master Akira Kurosawa. While it doesn't reach the levels of depth and emotion that emanate from masterpieces such as "Seven Samurai" or "Rashomon", Zatoichi does bear the mood and style of Kurosawa, and shows that we can be in the year 2004 and still see good movies along the lines of Kurosawa's finest of the 1950s. The three musical scenes (in which visuals and rhythm enter a perfect coordination) offer a great way to break with the sword-fighting scenes, just as do the comic-relief sequences (the "art of sword fighting training" notably is hilarious) Some might criticize the special effects, but while in some scenes computer-generated squirting blood is more or less obvious, it does not deprive the movie of its pace. Personally, I thought the ending sequences could have been developed more (almost seems that in that particular instance Zatoichi promises, but doesn't deliver), but that did not spoil my overall movie experience. Zatoichi is a great samurai sword-fighting movie. Recommended.
There is a problem with your e-mail address and we are unable to communicate with you. Please go to My Account to update your email.
Please choose a username to sign your comments. Only letters, digits, dash - or period. Minimum 4 characters.
Your age and sex:
We publish all comments, except abusive, at our discretion.