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Sonatine Movie Review

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Actors: takeshi kitano, susumu terajima
Review Summary and Plot Commentary about Sonatine
Sonatine is another of Takeshi Kitano's celluloid masterieces. The central theme is that of a Tokyo yakuza going to Okiniwa to try to resolve conflict between two gangs. Once in Okinawa they hang around the beach, messing about and waiting.....The film brings forth startling performances from Kitano himself as Murakawa and his loyal leitunant Ken (gracefully delivered by Susumu Terajima). The film touches upon the philosophies of life and death, honour, doing what is best for others. The moment when Ken is killed by a hitman is very powerful - in him one identifies the true spirit of bushido. There appear to be no flaws in the movie however every time one watches it, many new things come to the surface, the unnoticed comes to life. Although the film is very good, it is a tragedy that is elevated somewhat by the comic mode that is touched upon when the characters have some time to waste. A beautiful film, a splendid deliverence of true Japanese spirit.   
--anastasia g, Resident Scholar


Analysis of Sonatine
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Movie
Actual chase scenes or violence - 30%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 50%



Time/Era of Movie: - 1980's-1999
Crime & Police Story? Yes
Criminal enemy is... - Asian crime gangs
Romance Yes

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - criminal
Age: - 40's-50's
Eccentric: Yes
Hair color? - brunette (Black)
Hair style - short/standard straight (man)
Body type - muscular (man)
Events of movie makes character more... - tougher
Ethnicity/Nationality - Japanese
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Secondary Main Character
Identity: - Male
Hair color - brunette (Black)
Hair style - (man) short/standard straight
Body type - muscular (man)
How much in movie? - 80%
Ethnicity/Nationality - Japanese

Main Adversary
Identity: - a criminal organization
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status: - criminal
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - 40%
Ethnicity/Nationality - Japanese

Setting
Asia/Pacific Yes
Asian country: - Japan
Water? Yes
Island? Yes
Island: - Pacific Island
Misc setting - resort/hotel - building

Style
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately messy visuals of dead
Movie makes you feel... - in awe
How many deaths in film? - 8 or more
Kind of violence: - hand to hand - guns - knives
Non-American film? Yes
What language? - Japanese
Subtitles? - Yes
Any profanity? - Occasional swearing
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