VERSUS (2000) - Good Samarai Zombie flick from Japan ! The DVD that I viewed was the directors-cut at 2 hours long. It's a little to long in my opinion, but for the gore fans it's a must see. It's kinda like EVIL DEAD with guns and swords.
(http://www.acdrifter.com/Images/MoviePosters/Versus.jpg)
The DVD also has four Japanese movie trailers that are much like VERSUS. The titles are:
Samarai Fiction
Pistol Opera
Kunoichi
Pyrokinesis.
Post Edited (02-15-05 00:18)
Scott,
You've really delved into the whole Jap/Zombie thing lately, haven't you? Welcome to my world!
I've said it before and I'll say it again - Versus is one of the best damned zombie/action films to come out of Japan, ever. It's hyperactive, gory, and fun as hell. Prisoner KSC2-303 is one of the coolest (if not a bit misogynistic) characters in any zombie movie. I also love the twist at the end of the film.
Here's the review from my site:
Summary
Prisoner KSC2-303 is stuck in the forest of ressurection. Anyone who dies there returns to life as a bloodthirsty zombie. Prisoner KSC2-303 is not having a good day.
Review
Nobody knows how to make a good action/comedy/horror flick than the Japanese. In the past few years numerous genre bending flicks have come out of Japan. Battle Royale, Ichi The Killer, etc. But, none do it better than Ryuhei Kitamura's "Versus".
The film starts with two prisoners running through a huge forest while chained together. They are to meet with a group of Yakuza; Japan's own version of our American gangsters. The Yakuza turn out to be a sadistic bunch and show up with a beautiful Japanese girl with them. She doesn't know why she is there and neither do the Yakuza. They were just told to bring her along by the boss.
After a bit of a gun battle, one of the Yakuza dies only to become ressurected as part of the undead. This eventually leads to the death of one of the prisoner's in true dark comedic fashion, and he too returns as a zombie.
This leaves our now hero "Prisoner KSC2-303" all on his own against the Yakuza and the countless undead that the Yakuza had buried in the forest.
This film is a must see for any horror fan or any fan of Japanese cinema. It's damn near perfection. It has a fantastic mix of comedy, swordplay, kung fu and gore. Mix Sam Raimi's style of horror/comedy with Woo-Ping Yuen style action and you've got a great flick.
The only drawback is that the film eventually goes a strange route towards the end. We finally find out who is behind everything, why the girl is there and the importance of Prisoner KSC2-303. But then it turns into a supernatural time bending type of storyline that might lose the average viewer.
Overall though the film is a success. It's darkly hilarious, energetic and gory as hell.
Skaboi I rented VERSUS and WILD ZERO from Netflix this week and I didn't even know VERSUS was suppose to be a Zombie film till last night.
When I viewed STORY OF RICKY (also from Netflix) the film made me want to see the much talked about Japanese films VERSUS and WILD ZERO. Unfortunately Netflix dosn't have BATTLE ROYAL. I'll have to wait for that one. Also those other asian movie trailers on both STORY OF RICKY and VERSUS dvd's look like awesome films.
Asia is producing some great films over the past 5 years. Check them out everyone. You'll like them.
Post Edited (02-15-05 10:13)
I wasn't that impressed with it. Yeah, there's a lot of fighting and blood but the story didn't engage me at all. I found myself wondering when it would end. No sense of suspense or drama. I guess I don't understand the Japanese style because a lot of Japanese horror films leave me cold. I did, however, like "Audition" and "Ringu" but thought "Versus," "Ju-On," and "Battle Royale" were pretty lame.
Welcome to Asian cinema Scott, Skaboi and myself always talk about how great Asian movies are and if you liked Versus thier ton of Asian movies out their you will enjoy also.
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You can’t give it, you can't buy it, and you just don't get it!-Aeon Flux
Don't get me wrong. I liked VERSUS, but enjoyed STORY OF RICKY a lot more than VERSUS. Like Hugomarink said the story isn't that enthralling, but the action and gore are plentiful in VERSUS. Found WILD ZERO more fun than VERSUS. Found the action better in VERSUS than WILD ZERO. Each are different of course.
Been wanting to see AUDITION. Heard it is very good.
Post Edited (02-15-05 13:07)
"Audition" is great! It's the opposite of "Versus" in that it's not an endless bloodbath with paper-thin characters and a throw-away story. "Audition" has a distinct dramatic story and the horror is more psychological and slow to unfold. But the last scene is one of the most disturbing I've ever seen. The movie really packs a punch. Highly recommended.
I have "Audition" on DVD and Hugomarink is right. Its a great film. Its slow but has a great story and the build up to the end is fanastic. The ending itself is great, if you didn't like the slowness of the rest of the film (which I doubt), should save the entire movie. Just a great well done film.
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You can’t give it, you can't buy it, and you just don't get it!-Aeon Flux
I found Versus a little too long too. I was dissapointed by the last match though, thought it was going to be an all out war..which it wasn't., I was expecting too much cause the bulk of the real action was throughout the movie and I always have this notion where the best is always saved for last...not in this case. It's definatley worth checking out though for anyone into gore or stylized action.
Versus is probably the only film that I can watch over and over again and have a great time with each new viewing. Just so many one-liners, action scenes, and leather...
I really enjoyed Versus and Audition both. The one I'm mainly interested in checking out right now is Infection. A lot of people said it was fairly enjoyable and bloody. If you're interested in other Japanese zombie flicks, I also recommend Junk. I wouldn't call it completely top of the line, but it's a fun watch.
Count me in also as a big fan of Asian cinema. I have a copy of Versus that I still haven't watched yet [like many in my collection] but I may just bump it up the list.
Battle Royale is a classic. Gore, good concept, if not a bit wacky, and a nice way to find out what a bunch of school kids would do if trapped on an island with bombs strapped to their necks and being told to kill each other.
A 'good' film I did see recently however was Election. Very well made gangster/triad film. Well worth a look. It deals with the election of the new leader of a powerful gang in Hong Kong, and the rivalries and politics of such a traditional process.
I may have to give Versus another watch as I kind of had it on in the background the first time I watched it. I did enjoy Story Of Ricky and Battle Royal though, as well as other films such as Oldboy, Save The Green Planet and Cashern, has anybody seen those?
Quote from: felgekarp on February 05, 2007, 06:09:16 AM
I may have to give Versus another watch as I kind of had it on in the background the first time I watched it. I did enjoy Story Of Ricky and Battle Royal though, as well as other films such as Oldboy, Save The Green Planet and Cashern, has anybody seen those?
Oldboy - Classic film. A must see in my opinion. Oh Daesu is a character that no one will be able to forget after seeing the film.
Save The Green Planet - Really like this film's mixture of humor and torture. The only drawback to the film is it's ending.
Cashern - I've never been able to bring myself fully into the world of Cashern. I have a copy that I've watched a few times but I've never enjoyed it like everyone else has. I might need to give it another, more serious viewing.
Versus is so awesome because that's just what it's made of.
Story of Ricky is great too. It's got a very eighties Japanese comic book feel to it. I just wish Ricky took down more batches of people, instead of a bunch of one or twoies.
Story of Ricky is one of the greatest films of all time, without a doubt. So many scenes that go so far over the top it becomes utterly laughable.
"Versus" is another great film- funny, fast-paced, great twist, good cast for the budget, well worth it. The prequel, whose name escapes me for the moment, is also worth checking out.
Famous Mortimer,
I believe the prequel was "Nervous". I watched it once on the DVD of Versus that I own but sadly it's in Japanese w/ no subtitles. That's what I get for importing DVDs. :bluesad: