The premise of the story is pretty much Yojimbo/Fistful of Dollars (and a nod to Django in the form of a coffin filled with weapons) – a lone gunman (Ito Hideaki – the photographer brother from the J-drama First Kiss) arriving in a town (called err… Nevada) occupied by two rival gangs, the Genji and the Heike (alluding to the rival clans of the Genpei kassen in 12th century Japan). The town was the focus of prospectors searching for gold which later caused chaos until the arrival of the Heike gang driving the prospectors out. The (now largely depleted) townspeople thought the Heike were there to help until they finally realised the gang was there for the gold as well. Add the arrival of the Genji (led by Yoshitsune – played by the better English-speaking Iseya Yuusuki), more trouble brewed leaving the town pretty desolate. With the corrupt sheriff (yup, there’s one – played by Kagawa Teruyuki who was the adult Yoshitsune in the 20th Century Boys trilogy) not doing much, the remaining townsfolk, led by Ruriko (an inn landlady with a deadly history), they could only offer edamame as payment to the unnamed gunman to sort out the problem plaguing the town. Do watch out for the Tarantino cameo and his “anime otaku” quote.

As for the story, SWD is nothing new (Yojimbo has been remade in many guises including Walter Hill’s Last Man Standing). The film’s otherwise a madcap blending of the violence of Japanese yakuza films and the spaghetti western (it has to be spaghetti to be cool, not John Wayne). I couldn’t figure out if Miike was taking the piss or was being earnest – as much as one wondering if this was a serious film or a comedy (although it has some really funny, but violent, bits in it). Enjoyable, nonetheless. Worth the five quid spent on it!

Next wayang koboi: Tears Of The Black Tiger from Thailand!

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