| Some of the most violent, sex filled, bloody, and all around berserk Edo period movies you will ever find. The titular Hanzo--the Edo Period version of "Dirty Harry", who takes the dirty part literally--is up against all manner of corruption from the privileged classes and gets justice, often with the use of his sword but also with his... well when you see the movie you will understand.
I think it is that absolutely bizarre sexuality in this movie that makes it so much fun. This is fun you shouldn't have. It is wrong on many levels, but because it is so wrong, it transcended reality and goes to that 70s exploitation level that even today we can't come close to matching.
The second movie, "The Snare", is the best of the series. The writing is the most sharp and it doesn't have any of the uneven spots in the first movie. But the other two movies are still great, even with their mix of sex and violence. I stumbled upon this movie series after watching a few "Zatoichi" movies. I thought, "Shintaro Katsu: I like his 'Zatoichi' movies and this might be the same." After about ten minutes I realized how wrong I was, but these are just as enjoyable in their own messed up way. It is more in the vein of "Lone Wolf And Cub". The story came from the same writer, Kazuo Koike, who gives another stellar sword and samurai exploitation series. |
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