Deadly Outlaw: Rekka Review

• 24th Dec 2010

Audition and Ichi The Killer fans might want to check out this early, bizarre efforts from Takashi Miike. It concerns the rather over the top journey of a Yakuza named Kunisada. Following the death of his boss he sets out on a path of revenge, violence and self destruction as his temper lets fly in any given situation.

Don’t think for a second that this is in any way a serious character study instead, it is more of a cosmic character strip of ideas, black humour and chaos all let loose at the same time. What we get is some very un-offensive OTT action, violence and blood as well as some wild eyed characters going bat shit crazy on screen.

Fans of this type of cinema already know what to expect – anyone who prefers their cinema a little bit more on the sane side might want to check out something else. This is for the inner student in anyone whose mind is open to the likes of heads being decapitated by rocket launchers!

This new version from Arrow Video has been cleaned up a bit (but time hasn’t done the look of the film any favours. But then combined with their guitar soundtrack it is actually fitting that it still looks retro).

The extras though include a couple of talking head interviews which give you further insight into the background and film making that went on. It isn’t as padded as you would hope – but it is at least something.

Steven Hurst