Gendai yakuza: Hito-kiri yota Blu-ray Review

Arrow Video's Blu-ray presentation of "Gendai yakuza: Hito-kiri yota" features an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Transferred in High Definition by Toei Company, this release represents the best visual rendition yet of the film, despite some inherent limitations. The presentation maintains an organic appearance with a grain structure that can appear coarse, especially in darker or dimly lit scenes. This coarse grain can often mask fine details, particularly during close-ups. Outdoor scenes tend to showcase better visual quality, although there is noticeable fading and a brownish skew impacting the vibrancy of the image.

The film's unique visual style, characterized by hallucinogenic elements, may give the impression of softness. While this transfer does not achieve contemporary sharpness levels, detail improvement over previous DVD editions is still evident, particularly in well-lit scenes. The upgrades in this High Definition transfer, though subtle, enhance the viewing experience for fans, despite retaining some of the original's visual quirks. For a detailed understanding of the transfer quality, accompanied screenshots are recommended for potential viewers.

Overall, while this Blu-ray release might not meet the highest standards of modern transfers, it faithfully preserves the film's original aesthetic qualities. The improvements in detail and clarity from DVD versions are tangible, making this edition a worthwhile upgrade for enthusiasts of the film.

The Blu-ray of "Gendai yakuza: Hito-kiri yota" features an LPCM 2.0 mono track in the original Japanese language. The audio presentation is robust, delivering a full-bodied musical score that enriches the viewing experience. Dialogue clarity is predominantly crisp, though there are moments where it sounds slightly boxy, a characteristic not uncommon with mono tracks from this era. Fortunately, the track is free from any dropouts or distortion, and there are no age-related anomalies, which is a commendable preservation effort.

In terms of balance, the LPCM 2.0 mono track effectively segregates musical elements from dialogue, maintaining an engaging auditory environment throughout the film. The noiseless background ensures that the audio remains clean and clear, preserving the original intent and ambiance of the film without modern interference. What stands out is the fidelity of the music, which remains consistently engaging and well-rendered without compromising other elements of the soundscape.

Overall, the audio presentation of "Gendai yakuza: Hito-kiri yota" on this Blu-ray is solid and faithful to its source. Despite the occasional boxiness in dialogue delivery, the audio remains a strong point of the release, devoid of technical flaws such as dropouts or distortions. This meticulous restoration ensures that viewers can enjoy the film with an authentic acoustic experience reminiscent of its original era.

The extras on the Blu Ray of "Gendai yakuza: Hito-kiri yota" provide a comprehensive and engaging addition to the main feature. The audio commentary by Tom Mes is particularly insightful, offering deep dives into the film's context and production nuances. Coupled with a meticulously restored theatrical trailer and a still gallery, the package enhances the viewer's appreciation of the film's historical and cinematic significance. Moreover, the inclusion of an elegantly designed insert booklet further enriches the overall experience, providing valuable background information and visual accompaniments that film enthusiasts and collectors will find invaluable.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by Tom Mes: Detailed exploration of film context and production.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional content.
• Still Gallery: A collection of still images from the film.
• Insert Booklet: Comprehensive background information and visual accompaniments.

"Street Mobster," known in Japan as "Gendai yakuza: Hitokiri yota," is a landmark 1972 film directed by Kinji Fukasaku, featuring a compelling performance by Bunta Sugawara as the brutal anti-hero Isamu Okita. From the visceral opening montage, which highlights Okita's tragic birth on the day Japan surrendered in WWII, the film establishes a raw and frenetic tone. The narrative follows Okita's turbulent life from his violent childhood to his ascent in the yakuza, delivering a vivid portrayal of post-war socioeconomic upheaval. Sugawara's portrayal of Okita brilliantly captures the essence of a man grappling with loyalty and rage amidst internecine yakuza battles, making him both detestable and strangely sympathetic.

The film's action sequences, often shot with unhinged and skewed camera angles, create a sense of chaotic intensity, reflective of Okita’s turbulent journey through Japan's criminal underworld. Fukasaku's stylized direction enhances this storytelling, rendering an almost Greek Tragedy-like atmosphere as Okita’s violent determination leads to inevitable carnage. While comparisons to "Battles Without Honor and Humanity" are inevitable due to similar thematic content and shared talent, "Street Mobster" distinguishes itself with its fervent pace and relentless energy. Sugawara’s confident machismo and dynamic on-screen presence ensure that viewers remain engrossed in his character’s fate, despite Okita’s many flaws.

Sugawara’s commanding performance as Isamu Okita drives the film, rooting for a character whose reckless bravado frequently borders on the absurd. The provocative backstory involving his mother and encounters with former associate Kizaki (Asao Koike) adds depth to his motives. Undoubtedly, some moments can feel unintentionally comic due to their exaggerated violence. Nonetheless, Fukasaku’s work remains an impactful depiction of a criminal’s life in flux. Street Mobster not only stands as an electrifying prelude to the "Battles" franchise but also as a distinct narrative underscored by its own brutal charm and stylistic bravado.

Arrow Video's Blu-ray release of "Gendai yakuza: Hito-kiri yota" offers a compelling experience for fans of the genre and the iconic collaboration between Sugawara and Fukasaku. This film provides a vivid portrayal of the shifting landscapes of gangster life, marked by sweeping changes that mirror broader sociopolitical upheavals. Fukasaku's direction is dynamic, featuring a distinctive cartwheeling style that injects energy into the fight scenes, reminiscent of the sixties’ Batman TV series' visual flair. Sugawara's performance is menacing and forceful, embodying the gritty essence of his character.

Technically, the Blu-ray transfer presents a mixed bag. Sourced from a high-definition scan by Toei Company and maintaining its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, the presentation suffers from inconsistent quality. While daytime scenes are more visually appealing, with better lighting and clarity, the overall color palette leans heavily on browns, and nighttime scenes are often too dark, making details hard to discern. The heavy presence of film grain and an overall softness further detract from what could have been a more pristine viewing experience. On the audio front, the Japanese 2.0 mono LPCM track performs adequately, delivering clear dialogue without distortions or dropouts.

Supplementary content enhances the release, featuring an insightful audio commentary by Japanese cinema expert Tom Mes, a theatrical trailer, a still gallery, and an informative insert booklet with an essay by Jasper Sharp. While Arrow Video has not packed this release with extensive extras compared to some of their other offerings, the included materials provide valuable context and commentary that enrich the viewing experience.

In conclusion, fans of Sugawara and Fukasaku will find "Gendai yakuza: Hito-kiri yota" a viscerally engaging addition to their collection, despite its technical drawbacks. The film’s raw energy and thematic depth make it a recommended pick for yakuza genre enthusiasts.