Japanese cult director Takashi Miike takes a break
from the blood and guts Yakuza films, and carves out some new territory
with SABU (2002). Miike again recruits his stock cache of players along
with some new faces such as headliner Tatsuya Fujiwara, better known as
the star of BATTLE ROYAL (2000). In SABU Fujiwara plays the sullen
revenge-driven prisoner, Eiji. Satoshi Tsumabuki gets the title role in
SABU, even though his character is not the lead. Tsumabuki appeared in
DIMENSION TRAVELERS, TOMIE 3, and DRAGON HEAD. SABU also has plenty of
attractive Japanese starlets including newcomer Tomoko Tabata as Onobu,
and Kazuo Fukiishi (SAMURAI RESSURECTION, YOU’VE GOT CALL, TOKIMEKI
MEMORIAL) as Osue. Yoshiki Arizone is featured in cult favorites ICHI
THE KILLER, SCARECROW, and HAPPINESS OF THE KATAKURIS. Tatsuo Yamada
appeared in SHINJUKU OUTLAW, WHITEOUT, and EVIL DEAD TRAP 3. Japanese
veteran actor Kenji Sawada is featured in MAN WHO STOLE THE SUN, SAMARAI
REINCARNATION, and HIRUKO THE GOBLIN. SABU also features the popular
young actor Naomasa Rokudaira, who can be seen in SUPERMARKET WOMAN, THE
GEISHA HOUSE, and GODZILLA, MOTHRA, MECHAGODZILLA: TOKYO S.O.S.
Artsmagic recently launched a Region 1 label dedicated to Japanese cult
films, and SABU is their sophomore release after Miike’s outrageous
FULL METAL YAKUZA.
Sabu and Eiji originally meet as children and
become fast friends on the dangerous streets of their village. They grow
to adolescence together and form a relationship that can best be
described as brotherly. They study together, they work together, they
suffer through bad times together (and good times too). Through his hard
work and studies, Eiji forges a promising and rewarding career. Because
of this, Eiji is well known and respected in the village despite his
young age. Eiji’s world comes to an end when a police garrison breaks
into his home and accuses him of stealing from a prominent resident. The
officers drag him before the judge, and produces evidence implicating
Eiji as the thief. The judge declares him guilty and sentences him to do
time at a detention facility. Eiji swears he is not guilty, and is less
worried about his well being in jail, and more worried about losing his
honor and once-promising future. It seems that someone planted the
stolen object in Eiji’s belongings, thereby setting him up as a
criminal. But Eiji has no enemies and it does not make sense to anyone,
especially Sabu. Eiji becomes convinced that a some high ranking family
rivals have framed him, and he swears that when he is released, he will
kill the people behind his ‘dishonor’. He alienates himself from
friends and family, which especially affects his close friend Sabu, whom
he no longer even acknowledges. But life has a way of working things
out, and Eiji must learn to grow as a human being if he is to regain his
life and honor…
All I can say is wow. What a departure from the
usual Takashi Miike production. This one has quickly become my favorite
of the director’s films. Miike earned his stripes as a cult filmmaker
with his in-your-face style that translates well to the super- violent
Yakuza thrillers, with which Miike not only grosses out the audience,
but offends them with sleazy exploitation, sadism, blatant homo-erotiscm,
necrophila and other unpleasant subjects. For SABU, Miike has left all
this nastiness behind him, and while it might come off as boring to the
GUINEA PIG fans, Miike has become an accomplished artist with this film.
SABU is not only a beautifully photographed film, but there is depth
here, character definition, and all the other things that usually get
left out of the bloodbath films. SABU doesn’t contain much action or
violence, it’s all story, good performances, and period flavor. Though
set in medieval Japan (bonus points for that revelation), it does not
qualify a Samurai film—it’s more like a character study and mystery.
We witness the main character Eiji as he is thrown into a medieval jail,
wrecking his once promising life. Eiji is framed for a crime he did not
commit, and vows to avenge himself upon his release. The viewer knows
who set him up, but Eiji does not. All his friends and family try to
talk him out of it, but the short-sighted Eiji won’t even listen to
them. Before the movie becomes a cliched revenge ride, circumstances
arise which put things in perspective, and it’s very gratifying (and
original) to see the main character not have resort to violence to grow
as a human being..
Takashi Miike filmed SABU on cost-effective
digital video. Artsmagic presents the film in the original aspect ratio
of 1.78.1, including 16x9 enhancement. SABU is one of the director’s
more recent films, and thus the camera work and image quality are
superior to his output from the 1990’s like FULL METAL YAKUZA. Unlike
his brutal action thrillers, SABU is a beautiful film with wonderful
period detail. The set designs, clothing, and locations are right out of
a classic ZATOICHI flick, and the artful cinematography is done justice
by Artsmagic’s 16x9 enhanced presentation. Several scenes take place
on a boat in the middle of the lake and the ambiance and detail of the
imagery is striking. The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0, and
while it is not the most powerful mix we’ve ever heard, it boasted
crystal clear precision, tight bass effects, and crisp Japanese vocals.
The score is also period-influenced and is wonderfully integrated into
the sound mix. The score blends well with the other sound elements to
provide an overall effective presentation. However; Artmagic should have
produced a Dolby Digital 5.1 sound field for this fairly recent feature.
From the Special Features menu, you can select
from not one but TWO Takashi Miike interviews. There are also interviews
with SABU performers Satoshi Tsumabuki, Tatsuya Fujiwara, Kazue Fukiishi,
and Tomoko Tabata. You can view the comprehensive featurette, The
Making of Sabu which details everything you want to know about the
production. Rounding out the Special Features is a comprehensive
collection of promotional material for SABU, including trailers,
posters, artwork, and any other promo items you can imagine. There are
also Biographies and Filmographies for the filmmakers and cast members,
including Takashi Miike, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Tatsuya Fujiwara, Ren Osugi,
Kazue Fukiishi, and Tomoko Tabata. All the Japanese language extras here
are English subtitled.
Even though SABU has quickly become one of my
favorite Takashi Miike films, it is not for everybody. Typical Miike
enthusiasts expecting the director’s proficiency for violence and
adult nature will surely not "get" the film. And Chambara fans
will be disappointed there are no battles or swordfights here. But
regardless of your preference, this movie will silence the critics who
label him a ‘hack", and cement his reputation as a quality
filmmaker, because the bottom line is that SABU is well crafted and
thought-fully composed film. Artmagic does another superb job here,
especially with the transfer and the sheer amount of supplements is
almost overwhelming.
SABU
is available directly from the ArtsMagic Website
SABU
U.K. disc is available directly from the ArtsMagic U.K. Website
