Synopsis:
In an unknown place and unknown time, a master Samurai known only by the name of Grave (Tak Sakaguchi) searches for the ultimate battle. Never showing fear for any fight, Grave is the one and only swordsman able to steal the mysterious and legendary coffin from the holy Tougan Temple. In this world without reason, a young girl from the temple grounds follows Grave and the coffin wherever they may go. And so begins the deadly race to re-capture the coffin and its hidden power from Grave for good or evil. DEATH TRANCE embodies a mix of the modern Samurai movie with highly stylized post-apocalyptic MAD MAX cinematography. Filmed amongst the ancient ruins of rural Japan, DEATH TRANCE depicts non-stop battles between sword and gun, mortal & immortal, myth and reality within a stark desert and forbidden forest. In the end, will destruction win or hope prevail?
This movie was released in 2005 and includes actor Kentaro Seagal, Steven Seagal's son, so that might give you an idea about this movie. Unfortunately for Kentaro he has inherited not only his fathers acting ability but his father's hairline as well. But we only have to endure him in the opening scenes of the movie. I want to say it's a bad movie, but although it was a little slow, and the acting was pretty bad, and the dialogue was silly, it was actually strangely interesting. There is not much of a plot, either that or I missed it. But there was a lot of kung fu type fight scenes with a mix of the Matrix-type flying martial arts moves, most of it taking place in an eerie forest haunted by strange creatures and zombie-like monsters. Grave drags the coffin around the forest only to have it stolen by others who proceed to drag it around, all the while the coffin is followed by a small child no matter who has the coffin. Not sure who the child is or why she follows it around all the time, just another one of the odd aspects of this movie. But probably the oddest was when one of the crazy dudes in the forest came after Grave on a motocross bike. Hmmm? However, I will say that if you are looking for a movie with not much plot but just want to see a wacky Japanese movie with a bunch of decent fight sequences and a handful of pretty bizarre but somewhat interesting scenes (especially the final fight scene), then this is not a bad movie. Especially with a few beers and a bowl of popcorn.
Segal progeny aside, "From the director who brought you brought you Versus" was pretty much all the warning you needed to avoid this film.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am aware of Versus and I think I will pass on that one. I am going to see Aragami which also stars Tak Sakaguchi. I've been told it's a bit better than Death Trance.
ReplyDeleteRead it again: "From the action director of Versus, Yuji Shimomura." The director of Versus, which rocks and everyone must see, is Ryuhei Kitamura.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review, Jon. I've yet to see Death Trance, but perhaps with the right blend of popcorn and beer ...
Yeah, I think I will check out Versus. I think you should see Death Trance. It has it's moments. If you can figure out why there is a motocross bike in the film, let me know.
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