Let me know if this sounds acquainted: A muscle-car-loving gang hitman able to tearing a military of bodyguards to shreds, and seemingly impervious to bullets, desires to depart the enterprise to have a quiet household life after finishing a significant hit to deliver down a rival gang. But when he loses his household and is attacked at residence, after which left for useless, he goes on a murderous rampage of revenge.
Yes, once I say Demon City is Japan’s reply to John Wick, I do not simply imply it is an motion film stuffed with slick hand-to-hand fight (though it’s that). I imply this factor actually spends the primary 20 minutes sketching a brand new story round John Wick‘s define.
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But in its very first scene, it additionally makes clear what units it aside on this comparability by including much more blood and dismemberment, and creating its personal dramatic aim by having a gaggle of men in demonic masks collectively assault our anti-hero Sakata – so as a substitute of a hunt for one villain, we all know we’ll see our hero accumulate a load of heads right here (most likely with masks nonetheless connected).
It additional units itself aside with a 12-year time soar, and a lightweight dusting of political conspiracy so as to add spice. Whereas John Wick was pulled again in by unfortunate circumstances, Sakata is on the middle of a storm of betrayal and intrigue – a number of of those components tie into it having a sure air of Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy about it too.
But it is much less attention-grabbing in being grounded than most related films, and is glad to throw the occasional feat of close to super-strength into its uniquely and unmissably choreographed battle scenes. If you are a man employed by the demon leaders, it is like Jason Voorhees is coming for you – an unspeaking, unmoved, undead drive of violence.
The stakes right here are usually not “will Sakata make it out of this one alive”, however “what the hell goes to occur subsequent… properly, I did not suppose it could be that“.
This is the proper mark for a film like this to hit – I’m clearly not apprehensive the primary character may die half means via, however I used to be locked into this film solidly for its tidy 107-minute run time as a result of I could not wait to see what the subsequent huge battle scene could be. They’re not all as profitable at one-upping one another each time as may make it really the most effective Netflix films, however it actually works for me.
At instances, the cause-and-effect, Rube-Goldberg-esque choreography nearly feels comedic – not as a result of it is poor or overly foolish, however since you’re used to seeing one thing like this in a Jackie Chan film. The tacky electrical guitar soundtrack type of helps to keep up this typically OTT tone – it would be unsuitable in most films, however it’s all blended in the best proportions right here.
I imply, there are clearly flaws right here – it is missing in character depth; clearly there’s an higher restrict to how a lot emotional funding you may make in a film the place the stakes are most “what wild factor will occur subsequent”; the final battle is possibly the weakest and barely outstays its welcome (although actually has its moments) – however I had a good time, and it is simple to have any issues washed away by a banger of a ultimate scene that subverts the sequel tease you anticipate from each film as of late.
But as a enjoyable, brutal, tight motion film for an extended weekend? I had a blast.
