Sukiyaki Western Django (2007)

This is a very interesting and entertaining movie from famed director Takashi Miike.  The movie is basically a fusion of a Spaghetti Western and a Samurai movie.  For fans of either genre that makes perfect sense because many of the Spaghetti Westerns were lose remakes of Samurai movies.  But what really sets this movie apart is the on screen blending of the two genres.  The town is a mix of Japanese architecture as well as the traditional western town.  For example the town’s saloon sits across from the temple.  Not only that but the costumes are also a fusion of both with six shooters on the same belt with a katana (Japanese sword).  I’m never a big fan when a filmmaker goes out of his way to be cool, because most of the time it feels forced and doesn’t work.  Sukiyaki Western Django isn’t one of those movies and in addition to being entertaining is also very cool. 

Well since I’ve gone on about how cool the movie is I should do a plot synopsis.  The story should be very familiar to anyone that has checked out either Samurai movies or westerns.  A mysterious strange rides into a town that is divided between a couple of violent gangs, the reds and the whites, and is recruited by both sides.  Instead of joining either gang the stranger joins forces with one of the locals and starts manipulating the gangs into destroying each other.  The movie ends, as all good genre (western or Samurai) in a final fight that determines the fate of the characters and the town. 

While very simple and familiar the plot is still quite entertaining.  It has enough twists and surprises to keep the audience interested, while still being familiar.  The movie is also filled with iconic characters like the stranger, as well as quirky characters that are definitely very much a Miike “thing”.  My favorite is the town’s sheriff that seems to have a split personality.  So much so that he speaks to himself in different voices and yanks himself around as he argues with himself.  For me this was a nice touch and brings some fun to the movie, without being distracting. 

Now I’ve talked a bit about the unique look of the movie, but there is more to mention.  Adding to the sets and the costumes Miike uses the camera and lighting to create a surreal feel to the movie.  This is especially noticeable in the opening sequence where the lighting and what I think was a digitally created sky work together to create an otherworldly environment for the characters and story to exist in.  This is important because it sets the tone for the rest of the movie that basically anything goes.  This story isn’t going to take place in any recognizable environment and won’t follow any “rules” that the audience recognizes.  This also works well for Miike’s stylized action sequences, which figure heavily in this movie.  Forget the laws of physics because here swords can block bullets, portable Gatlin guns can be fired from the hip, and everyone can hit a moving target while flying sideways thru the air!  God I love these movies. 

I love this movie.  It is everything that I expected and more, which considering the hype and buzz it is damn impressive.  I highly recommend that everyone go out right now and purchase a copy of Sukiyaki Western Django.  You won’t be disappointed. 

4 out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer

© Copyright 2008 John Shatzer