MovieChat Forums > Dead or Alive: Hanzaisha (1999) Discussion > Ohso very DISAPPOINTING!!!

Ohso very DISAPPOINTING!!!

posted 18 years ago by eraceheadd
19 replies | jump to latest

I waited a very long time to see this movie and it was not worth the wait. I saw audition in the theater a while back, and have only seen Miike’s Ichi the Killer (besides “box” from 3 extremes) I didn’t love audition by any means, but thought it had some interesting ideas going on. I’m a fan of this “new” new wave Asian stuff (old boy, battle royal, etc), but I just couldn’t get into DOA (and it was the uncut version).

Maybe it was the “hype” that I had read about it over the years – maybe I expected more action, more shocks, or just, more substance, I guess my expectations were high; OK - YES the first 6 mins were very COOL – but I think this just made my expectations even higher. I ended up feeling nothing for the characters, I found many of them cliché and boring, and the story line was nothing original, the innocent bother, the ignored family in need, jaded police, ruthless gangsters – blablabla.

I guess that’s what makes this movie so talked about: the bookends; the first 6 mins and the last 8 or so (over the top insane ending). I thought it was unexpected and fun, but man, I don’t think it made the rest watchable. Maybe it was because I saw “dumplings” the night before (it’s the first short in 3 Extremes, and the DVD includes the full version as well – I found them both very enjoyable, awesome characters, acting, and filmed beautifully. A great story – highly recommended). Anyway – its turned me off from seeing the rest of the Trilogy – I still want to see more of Miike’s stuff, as I know his films are very diverse. If anyone is like me and dissapointed by this film but enjoyed other Miike movies (or similar) vent here and feel free to make your recommendations. Also, if the other 2 movies are worth seeing, i would like to know why.

[–] runde 17 years ago

I'm a rabid Miike fan after seeing the wonderful Visitor Q, The Happiness of the Katakuris (do check out the director's commentary too!) and Ichi the Killer. Box did little for me, it's good, but I don't love horror. 1 missed call was good, but run of the mill. Audition was more fresh and sympathetic. Izo was fascinating, but not anything I'd recommend to anyone else but myself. The wonderful thing is, of course, that all these diverse films have been made by the same man.

I completely agree with you on Dead or Alive. It appears to be a straight yakuza film that Miike has finally gone bored with and beefed up in the beginning and in the end, thus creating the Miike-style he's become famous for. Just like Sergio Leone's Once upon a time in the west is far better than the much more famous Good, Bad, Ugly, Dead or Alive is probably hyped because it was the FIRST movie that blew the borders. Now, this is only a loose speculation, as I haven't seen any of his older films from before DOA, except Audition, which is in another genre (although, I must say, technically and story-wise superior).

Another thing is that it's straight, normal story makes it easier palatable to a wide audience, and the weird stuff gives it appeal to the weirdo guys who post their opinions on IMDB.

[–] mrdandylionface 17 years ago

DOA 1 & 2 are miike masterpieces....don't ever expect anything before viewing a miike movie,he breaks the rules of every genre..just let him take you on a ride

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] eraceheadd 17 years ago

I recently saw DOA 2 and have to say I enjoyed it much more. I really liked the characters here and thought the "2 movies in one" style that Miike often uses really worked well here. It has inspired me to keep going and see more of his stuff, including DOA 3 (I have only seen Audition and Ichi the Killer otherwise).

I found the story line much more interesting, better acting, better script - just thought it took itself more seriously then the first - and I dug the "bird" visuals! (I also agree about Box - it was nice to look at, but ultimatly I found it a bit boring)

[–] Black_Gestapo 17 years ago

Definitely not the FIRST to blow the borders as you put it. DoA is practically a remake of Shinjuku Triad Society - the plot is similar and many of the scenes are almost identical. In fact, the first 5 mins of DoA almost seem to be a parody of Miike's earlier film, but everything in DoA is so over-the-top that it is robbed of any visceral impact. STS is extreme, but not so wilfully cartoonish. It is also a far superior film.
Of all Miike's work (that I have seen), DoA would seem to be the most overrated. I think it has a lot of fans just because it is so extreme. Technically, though, it's a minor work. The production values are lame and it looks as though it were shot in a hurry.

[–] android247 16 years ago

Just like Sergio Leone's Once upon a time in the west is far better than the much more famous Good, Bad, Ugly

Once Upon a Time in the West is nowhere near as deep as the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

[–] subcultured 17 years ago

i wasn't as shocking as I thought I was going to be. This movie didn't really bother me. maybe because I watch too many films or read too many comic books like "preacher". I'm desenthisized to it.

This was a great place to start my miike collection though. I'm begining to see what a good director he is..if only more places would carry his videos so I can buy them. The movie wasn't as confusing as people have stated, i mean I can follow the story pretty much. I can follow the story...I can explain the ending when the shot themselves, their brains were hallucinating because they were loosing blood and not enough oxygen to their brain caused them to hallucinate.

we need more directors like him to breath some fresh air into a somewhat stale and scripted movie industry

[–] Amaru_wolfs-edge 17 years ago

well thanks for spoiling the end you *beep* *sighs* I really should stop going on the IMDB film boards of films i havnt seen. Some idiot always spoils it, always, ah well. Thanks for explaining it, at least i wont get confused when i see it now

Temaru ch.1 p.5
Within the Dragon's lair I am told: you will realise planets ages old.

[–] michaeljmalizia 16 years ago

Jeez, ANYONE who would possibly think this film is exciting is nucking futs!
Terrible and WHERE are these supposed incredible action sequences!? For my money, Woo's Hard Boiled is the benchmarch for HongKong action!

[–] Amaru_wolfs-edge 16 years ago

Well thank you for reintroducing myself with my old self...i used to be such an *beep* o.O Funny how much has changed since then, but I still have to ask, why say that to me?

Temaru ch3 p7
Blindness befall all who behold the dragon For its beauty is that of divine elegance

[–] Meven_Stoffat 17 years ago

I like Miike, but I didn't like DOA. It was indeed dissapointing.

"No, Twiggy. I look fat in it. You look ugly."

[–] yoho46 16 years ago

stuff it, i'll drown you in a kiddy pool full of poo

then i'll rocket launch you

[–] sambo5180 16 years ago

I own all three DOA films. Like most of the posters here I agree these films are different, with cons...and pros for both. So for anyone else wanting reasons to see or not to see, i posted a very brief review of both:

DOA 1) This is the most dull of the series. Viewer is presented with a hard-boiled crime drama. Good acting, fair action, and (of course) ridiculous beginning and ending. Some crazy moments but overall somber compared to the other two. I would still recommend it, though (obviously.)

DOA 2) My personal fave of the three. Equal parts action and drama, violence and emotion, I consider this the bread and butter of the trilogy. I'd be hard pressed to see Sho Aikawa or my fave Riki Takeuchi in a better role than they both played in this film. Great beginning, great ending, and the rest of the film is pretty good, too. :-)

DOA 3) This is one of those sequels that will make you say, "wtf?" It's pretty strange. Basically the viewer is treated to a film similar to Blade Runner, but honestly, it's Miike, so that's not much of a comparison. Moves at a quicker speed than No. 1, but doesn't have the solidity of No. 2. Simply put, if you watched the other two, you will want to see this one, and you would be missing something if you didn't.

Hope this helps. These are older films, but i still see more origninality in this trilogy than a large part of the crap put out today (and that's not just Hollywood, you American bashing D@#$%%bags! :-)

[–] lovedawn 16 years ago

I 1st watched Dead or Alive years ago, and I wasn't impressed. (apart from the opening and that crazee ending!)
Watched it again recenly, and I found that I enjoyed it more the 2nd time round! Dunno why this should be; my tastes can't have changed that much.

"watch Red vs. Blue - listen to Asian Dub Foundation - go see Mark Thomas"

[–] katalist420 15 years ago

Go watch Dead Or Alive 2 right now...
Its hands down the best one of the series.
I would give Part 2 9 or 9.5/10 and the others 7/10.

[–] Human_Remains 15 years ago

I've seen A LOT of Miike's movies but I actually like this one the best. It gets better everytime I watch it. I don't find it that boring.

"The Road of Excess Leads to the Palace of Wisdom." —William Blake

[–] enbilal 14 years ago

"I’m a fan of this “new” new wave Asian stuff (old boy, battle royal, etc)"

This is old, but I need to reply. These movies don't belong to any kind of a singular "new wave". They belong to vastly different cinematic movements.

E.

[–] suz-mal 13 years ago

Yeah, the OP got that all wrong. Oldboy is also one of the most overrated Asian films I've ever seen. It has elements of greatness (like the hallway scene) but on the whole is an average revenge flick which doesn't bring anything new to the table. Sympathy for Mr Vengeance was soooo much better on nearly every level.

As for DOA - the second is the one to go for, though Miike's certainly done better. I always loved Gozu, though thought it dragged on a bit towards the end. Bird People In China was also very good. I've heard good things about 13 Assassins, and I love Kôji Yakusho.
Despite my love for most of Miike's films, the truth is he's not really the auteur everyone makes him out to be. He jumps from genre to genre and frequently flips styles, as if he's chasing the trends (unless that in itself can make him an auteur.) He is very good at what he does, though, and can bring a level of excellence to almost any genre.

Oh so very DISAPPOINTING!!!

Ohso very DISAPPOINTING!!!