Sadistic Yakuza enforcer Kakihara searches for his boss who has gone missing but during this crosses paths with Ichi, a literal psycho killer (to quote Talking Heads) who appears to be even more extreme.

Ichi The Killer caused serious waves in its release here in the UK with the BBFC wanting substantial cuts before it could be released, mainly due to the violence inflicted on women during the course of the film.

So, what is this bad boy of a movie like? Unfortunately, it failed to impress just like Miike’s film Visitor Q did. It’s shock for the sake of it, more cinematic transgression from a director with the film sensibilities of a teenage boy who just wants to gross out the audience and shock.

All of this gory bluster can’t hide the fact that it moves at a snail’s pace, not much happens and it feels utterly hollow.

Hype, shock and very little else. This is ‘try hard’ filmmaking.

1 out of 5 stars