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The Execution Game (Japan, 1979) directed by Tôru Murakawa Cool but quirky Hitman Narumi (Yûsaku Matsuda) is back in the final part of the trilogy, much more weary and tired of it all, but drawn back in anyway. He's kidnapped and given an assignment, untrusting and unsure of what it's all about, having a history of double crosses. He still has a knack for pissing off anyone who tries to get close to him, especially women, but this time he's fallen in love with a nightclub singer. That doesn't usually end well in a hard boiled movie, and he finds out she was ALSO kidnapped by these guys, forcing him to do this job. Director Tôru Murakawa's trilogy of these films may follow a specific formula in their presentation, but this is a character who has grown throughout that trilogy, no longer falling asleep at a strippers stage or carelessly surrounding himself with party girls that he can't pay the bill for... life has worn him down... the booze, the women, the killing...

It has been suggested that this one might be the best of the trilogy, so I thought that if they are not that good maybe I should watch this one first. I certainly liked this one. I had never even seen Yusaku Matsuda but he has a great look and he really moves brilliantly. Also I thought that there was cool jazzy music and a splendid photographic look about it. The whole thing of the guy having to be tortured and almost killed so that he will be okay to kill for someone has to be a rather Japanese idea. It was rather simple but really well done. Sadly, although he was in Black Rain (1989) for Ridley Scott he was already ill with cancer and died the same year.

Shokei yuugi, internationally known as The Execution Game, is the third and last part in a movie series about pitiless contract killer Narumi Shouhei. This is also the greatest effort in the entertaining trilogy. The story is more personal than ever before this time around as Narumi Shouhei gets trapped by a group of vicious gangsters who torture him and force him to orchestrate a hit on one of his colleagues.

This movie convinces on numerous levels. First and foremost, the movie's character development is absolutely outstanding. Lead character Narumi Shouhei has become somewhat disillusioned by his profession. He seeks a stable romantic relationship, is haunted by bouts of isolation and behaves in a more conscious, philosophical and responsible way. His target is Okajima Yoshikatsu, a veteran among hitmen who wants to retire from the dangerous job, leave his past behind and start a new life abroad. The protagonist's mysterious lover is Kano Noako who works for a group of ruthless criminals to seduce men and put them into dangerous or even deadly situations. She starts regretting her actions, desires to organize changes in her life and wants to break free. The relations between these three key characters are fascinating throughout the film.

An honourable mention goes out to the nameless side character who runs a watch repair shop. She is fascinated by Narumi Shouhei's sophisticated watch and his cool manners but when she finally has the courage to ask him out on a date, the lonesome hitman who would have initiated such an invitation himself in the past now decides to turn her down because he realizes that his identity, lifestyle and past might put her at risk. These gradual interactions between the young lady and the seasoned hitman throughout the movie show the protagonist's development best.

Another element that has changed in comparison to the two predecessors are the locations. While the previous films take place in busy downtown areas with hostess bars, this movie shows Narumi Shouhei living in a quiet suburb of Tokyo, walking relaxedly to the watch repair shop and taking his lover on a beautiful drive to the coast. These settings show the protagonist's calm, isolated and yearning character traits.

The film's opening is another noteworthy element that stands out right from the start. While the two predecessors always show Narumi Shouhei in complete control of even the most complicated and dangerous situations, things take a different turn here. The contract killer is seduced and set up by a mysterious woman he barely knows, he is then brutally tortured by a group of ruthless criminals and when he finally manages to free himself, the criminals capture him again and explain that his temporary escape was actually a test planned by the organization. It's fascinating to watch the protagonist deal with this unexpected loss of control and its consequences.

The movie's ending is equally memorable as the protagonist's character development in this moody conclusion of the trilogy comes full circle. Without giving you too many details, the protagonist offers one of the antagonists a choice rather than imposing his views by force. This more mature, responsible and thoughtful procedure underlines that the character who has been going through changes throughout the film has now found his new identity. It's only fitting that the trilogy concludes this way as the protagonist decidedly moves on with his life.

Needless to say that despite all these intriguing new elements, The Execution Game still remains an outstanding action-thriller. The protagonist gets seduced, tortured and exploited. Up next, he investigates, infiltrates and executes his orders with deadly precision. Narumi Shouhei finally turns against his oppressors in a manner that combines violence with intellect. This swiftly-paced gangster movie has stood the test of time and should still keep viewers on the edges of their seats after all these years.

To conclude, the third and final film of the Game Trilogy reminds me a little bit of the third and final film of The Godfather trilogy. In both cases, the atmosphere is moody, the lead character is going through changes and philosophical elements become as important as the business side of organized crime. Many critics find the third and final film of The Godfather trilogy the worst but it has always been my personal favourite. For very similar reasons, The Execution Game is also my favourite entry in this trilogy as it deserves to be revisited time and again. If you are only looking for a brutal gangster film, then the two predecessors might please you much more but if you like action-thrillers with emotional, intellectual and philosophical depth, then this wonderful conclusion to the trilogy delivers in spades and still deserves recognition and respect in this day and age.