logan2

First of all i would like to explain something about this review: All lines inside "" are excerpts from other reviews to this movie, and i think they will make my point more clear than my own ravings. This is not only one of the best movies i have ever seen but this is the first movie since about 13 years, that that made me cry.

I didnt only cry because it was so sad or something like that, but more because it was almost too intense for me( and im glad that this is not a forum or you would be tempted to call me wimp or something). I just didnt wanna see any more characters die, be it americans or japanese(although you have no real insight to their side, except for their faces during the battle, that say more than enough).

I am 23 years old and im not a "professional warrior" so maybe i couldnt judge this film correctly. I didnt see any "lack of entertainment" in this WARMOVIE, nore did i "wait for some good action" in this piece of "liberal arthouse crap". Im not saying that action is bad in a war movie, but i sure as hell dont see why it is necessary to go for the glorified ultra violence from SPR again, which in my opinion is distastefully used to create a moment of suspense where non would have been necessary to depict the horror of war. The message that the one place on earth, where people can come as close to paradise as they will ever be, is filled with death and useless violence trashed me more than any other movie i have ever seen. i am sure i am one of the "young people who dont know what war is like", but this movie more than any other makes me gratefull that i probably will never make that experience. sorry for the possible spelling mistakes..

Since Sonatine was the first movie by Kitano that i enjoyed, I had no real expectations (except for an action-thriller thanks to the cover)and was totally taken aback by what I saw.. Not an Action Film with high bodycount but a story about a man who leads a life without hope and then when all trouble would be removed from it is too scared to start anew (or unable to). The story is told in a totally minimalistic and realistic way that doesn't chase you from one scene to another only to show you the important parts but always takes the time (often more than once) to let you study the protagonist and his comrades only through their faces so you have to figure out what they think on your own. Films that explain nothing often make everything clear. Films that explain everything often have nothing to explain.

In my opinion either you love this film or you hate it, there is no in between, since its so different from the standard or even great gangster movies of our time . I for myself was mesmerized by its artistic beauty, its compelling acting and its wonderful soundtrack.

By now i have seen Hanabi and all the other Kitano movies, but this remains the best to me..