riki-oh: the story of ricky

[ToyMan]

i can't think of a film that works so well despite being so flawed in just about every single category.

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The story is set in the year of 2001 in a prison owned by a major company. A new prisoner sees his friends being harassed and killed by the guards and seeks his revenge.

Summary written by Martin Blom {Martin.Blom@hks.se}

In the year 2001 prisons are run like businesses. A new prisoner finds that the prison system is corrupt. When an old man is framed and murdered he strikes back. When prisoners are tortured for breaking rules he reaks unparalled havoc on the entire system.

Summary written by Doug Galecawitz

Hard man Ricky is incarcerated in a futuristic prison where ultra-violence is his only means of survival in the corrupt, sadistic system. He must battle his way quite literally 'through' the feared 'gang of four', and undergo multiple tortures before facing the governor in one of the goriest climaxes ever seen.

Summary written by Tom Walker

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every time i watch this film, i'm amazed that it was made in 1991. it really looks much older. the best way to describe this film is "what if takashi miike went back in time and made a kung-fu film with lucio fulci?"

every part of this film is of what we'll diplomatically call "varying quality". most noticeable are the poor make-up effects (most noticible is the transformation of the mayor) and the casio-keyboard soundtrack. the difference between ricky's free life and his prison life is a bit jarring. in one scene he might be flying rc planes with his girlfriend, and in the next, ripping someone's jaw off.

although, as far as live-action films based on a manga, this isn't so bad. wade through the american "fist of the north star" adaptation for a little perspective.

[daveblackeye15]

Yeah this is what a live action Fist of the North Star should be.

Actually I'll bet the comic book is quite similar as well. I mean the ceiling of a cell coming down like a press wouldn't be out of place in FotNS.

[ToyMan]

does anyone else know of some good, classic martial arts films that are just as insane as this one? think of something like this, "duel to the death", "ninja scroll", etc.

[Scott]

THE STORY OF RICKY is in a league all by itself. On the DVD that I saw with THE STORY OF RICKY they had a few other movie trailers of some strange martial arts films, but can't image them being like THE STORY OF RICKY. Can't recall the names of them now.

[ToyMan]

yeah, i'm guessing i have the same dvd as the one you saw. actually, the trailer selection on the fortune star "mr. vampire" disc is even weirder.

[Scott]

Yea, I'd like to find copies of the movie previewed on that DVD ToyMan. Not as great as Story Of Ricky, but looks like must viewing for our crowd.