Posted by Solomon on 3/1/2019, 5:58 am
Japanese post-noir. Nice photography in a crime story that has a few obvious plot defects. These are outweighed by the crime elements, especially a memorable climactic sequence employing a truck with propane tanks that reminds me of "The Wages of Fear". The story has a noir ending for sure. All in all, not the best of such Japanese productions, but still worthy and entertaining. No police at all in the movie. It's strictly gang vs. gang machinations. I'm very pleased to have seen this one.
"I am not surprised by this pure Yakuza film programmer. Koji Tsuruta plays here an ex con who, of course, gets back to business with his former associates just after being discharged. No real surprise but that's good enough for me, especially when I saw this in a superb copy. And you also have a terrific jazzy score that follows you all long the movie. Tsuruta is as awesome as ever, as the disillusioned gangster involved in drug traffic. And, as usual in film noirs, even from Japan, you can enjoy some cabaret atmosphere sequences. That's the perfect example of what the US film noir influence may have on the other countries. This feature actually doesn't focus on Yakuzas but instead on some ordinary folks who use heroin. Don't miss the exciting terrific car chase at the end.
"A pure gem."
And another review:
"Gang tai Gang/Gyangu 3 is opening with a guy released from jail that visits his employer after taking 5 years in prison for doing a hit he was promised promotion for doing. But unfortunately his employer have forgotten all about that. With a mind for vengeance he finds some friends that have a plan. And then a lot of stuff happens...
"Characters/Acting: The acting is fine but but not extraordinaire. The characters are maybe not paper thin but you just know what you need to know to make the story move along.
"Story: The story is fine for what it is. It is meant to entertain you. It is not meant to be a deep thinking mans movie. It moves along quite well following their plan."
By comparison, "City of Tiny Lights" is a clunky, blurry movie, like a melting pot of ice cream.
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