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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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This divisive film drips style!
Even in my house, this film gets mixed reviews. My husband found it mediocre. He walked away with a puzzled sense of incompletion, while I'm left wanting to chew over metaphor, color, design. I loved it.
Maybe it has to do with what you're looking for. Great acting? Not really. Tak Sakaguchi is gorgeous, but seems fairly stiff. He doesn't stray far here from his role in _Versus_ (which I also loved.) Great plot? Not if what you're looking for is a traditional, linear story. Familiarity with Japanese mysticism could help; the writers presume a certain knowledge base that many western viewers will lack. But more than that, they allow viewers to interpret elements on their own...or not. My husband saw meaningless distraction in the emphasis on hunger; I saw metaphor, pointing to an insatiable appetite of a different kind. The cyclical plot made sense to me in the context of reincarnation/rebirth.
I think the plot as given is a template; you can use the little details dropped through the story to build something grander for yourself...but you don't have to, because arguably the story isn't the point. This film is much about style over substance. It's all sensation--sounds, visuals, movement. Sometimes it's heavy-handed and clumsy, yes, but on balance it does an excellent job. It's like an early Mark Romanek video, "Closer" with martial arts. Set design, color and costume are at least as important as dialogue. Composition is striking, but organic. Why are these women dressed like that? Who cares? In the universe of _Death Trance_, they belong!
A lot of different influences seem to have gone into this production. The director and star share a deep love of traditional Japanese set pieces, the "jidaigeki" epitomized to Western audiences in the work of Akira Kurosawa. (Trivia: George Lucas cobbled the word "jedi" out of the name of this genre). In the "making of" documentary on the disc, both discuss their desire to update the form with the inclusion of modern (but highly stylized) weaponry. George Miller's _Mad Max_ seems to have played some part in informing the aesthetic of the film, as far as some of the costuming at least. Even the "spaghetti western" makes an appearance, with Grave a post-apocalyptic Django hauling his coffin of death behind him.
I found the movie tremendous fun. For the most part bloodlessly violent (ENDLESSLY violent), it was an adrenaline release with just enough suggestion of more to set fire to my imagination. I recognize it won't suit all tastes (didn't suit the husband's), but I will certainly be recommending it to my friends. And watching it with them, when I can.
Rating: 
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Average Samurai Fantasy: Will Appeal To Some!
The film "Death Trance," is not the best film out there, in regards to samurai/fantasy, however, it will probably appeal to those viewers who liked "Versus" (maybe). The films main protagonist, Grave (Tak Sakaguchi) stars as a lone quasi-samurai who roams around looking for opponents to fight. Moreover, he carries around with him a coffin, which he stold from a Temple, and supposedly contains the body of a mythical Goddess. Furthermore, according to legend, if the coffin is taken to the Forbidden Forest, then that individual who takes it there will be granted a wish. Hence, Graves' quest is to take it there. The film basically follows Grave on his quest to take the coffin there.
Moreover, this Goddess, who is the Goddess of Destruction, if unleashed will cause complete and total destruction if released on Earth. Also making his way to this Forbidden Forest is one lone surviving monk, who has a magical sword that is somehow related to the coffin itself. He does not know how, or in what way it is related. All this monk knows is that it is important, and that he must ensure that it remains near the coffin. Grave meets up with another quasi-samurai named Sid who is also looking for the coffin. Meanwhile, a large gang is out looking for Grave, including a mysterious swordsman who knows all about the coffin and its magical sword. You will notice in the film the fight scenes are very strange, with guns, and rocket launchers. Definitely not your usual samurai film, however, it is a fantasy.
Basically, the film is about Graves' desire to fight the Goddess of Destruction. Contrary to the myth, the one who releases her will not be granted a wish: Instead she will destroy the world. If and when she is released she will destroy all of Earth, and then everything will be renewed again. That is unless someone happens to kill her. Thus, the reason and rationale behind Graves' desire to fight her: The ultimate fighter to Graves. This is not a great or above average film. In fact, it is more of a below average film. However, the film might appeal to those who like the fantasy/samurai genre. I found too many silly problems with the film, therefore, I recommend the film with extreme caution. It will appeal to some, but not all viewers. Also, I don't think that the action scenes or the fight scenes were as great as many of the viewers stated. Neither go into this film with high expectations, nor take this film too seriously. It's meant to be a fun film, and that's all.
Rating: -
Only if you like Tak and Dir en grey...
This movie is funny, sometimes intentionally, most of the time not, just like Versus, which well... is one of my favourite bad movies of all time. Versus 2 should be good, since Ryuhei Kitamura has improved considerably over the years... but I digress, you're here for Death Trance, or Tak Sakaguchi...
Tak Sakaguchi is the best bad actor in Japan, and you will probably only like him if A.) You watch anime or read manga. or B.) You like hot guys. I am an A-type Sakaguchi lover. He has a very animated look to him and is surprisingly a good action director, with his "Zero Team."
The other reviewers I'm sure have summed up the weird sub-par story, so I'll skip directly to the soundtrack and DVD features. The soundtrack is performed by the amazing Japanese Rock/Metal band "Dir en grey." If the well-choreographed action scenes don't rock your socks off, then the soundtrack will. As for the DVD, the menu music is great, and there is a great interview with Tak Sakaguchi who talks about his experiences. It is very entertaining and some of the best documentary material I've seen recently.
Only watch this film, if you like Tak, Dir en grey, and taking a chance on a movie. Whether this movie is Great or Horrible (yet hilarious) is up to you. There are only two bad actors in the film, and one of them has a very small part. The other one has a co-starring role, and is armed with a bad haircut and some sort of missle launcher.
No matter who you are, this movie definately leaves you thirsting for a sequel, just like Versus did.
Rating: -
Tak's the man!
For those who have seen Ryuhei Kitamura's Versus and have been waiting quite patiently for the sequel, Death Trance will definitely fit the bill. Tak Sakaguchi from Versus fame plays the main character and action director in this action-packed film.
In a indeterminate time or place, Grave (Tak Sakaguchi) is a man with no past or future who's only goal is to find the ultimate fight. He steals a coffin from a holy temple said to contain the goddess of destruction. If she's released she will, that's right, destroy the whole world. Grave steals the coffin and is pursued by a monk (Takamasa Suga) carrying the only weapon that could destroy the goddess. This sword can only be unsheathed by "the chosen one."
Grave is pursued by various people who want the coffin because they all believe that it will grant your wishes. A lot of fighting ensues and really interesting characters appear. It's fast-paced so you'll totally enjoy every minute of the film without feeling it is dragging.
Tak Sakaguchi (Grave) plays this type of character only too well. He's not evil, he just likes to fight. Nothing wrong with that. The little girl that follows the coffin no matter who steals it is so cute with an interesting purpose of her own.
This movie is fun with a lot of cool fight scenes and none of the characters take themselves seriously making it funny too. I highly recommend it to all.
Rating: -
I love it so much ;_;
It's kind of like Versus, except with more plot, less gore, and Tak looks a lot prettier (if that were possible). It is genuinely funny and very fast paced, so that you don't even notice 90 minutes pass by. The action is awesome, as it should be since Tak was the action director. I can't stop watching it over and over, and already infected my friends with it. The only possible problem is the ending, which is very frustrating and offers no resolution, so be prepared.
Twits Du Jour
