source: First Love

If you're a Miike fan you're gonna enjoy this one. If you're not a Miike fan, I'm sorry. The most enjoyable part of this movie is how unbelievably bad the bad guys are at being bad guys. Mix in a few severed limbs, a dirty cop, and a moment of "I don't know how to film this scene so let's just animate it" and you got yourself a popcorn munching good time.

This movie is so much fun. It's a romantic comedy action mob movie and it mixes these genres so well. It might be tame compared too Miike's typical fare but blood is spilled in buckets at the end of this movie in a crazy samarai sword fight. Highly recommended.

Quite a bit of activity, but a lot of hand wringing and wailing to go along with it. OK for dvd.

I think in this film, not a single shot missed its intended target. It was hilarious. The film is quite funny in general. It is a wild ride, better than many from Tarantino. The actor who plays Kase steals the show. Other than Monica, the acting is fine overall. Downside: 1. Action-flick type of general "DOH!", as in when a van goes flying over because its tire got shot. 2. there is no chemistry in the "romance", other than the drugs Monica is on. "Hey, let's have a romance between 2 emotionless PTSD-type people, and have the girl hallucinate because she needs another hit." Great idea. "DOH!"

I just came to say this after reading reviews claiming this was very violent in the style of takashi miike. But no, not at all. Compared against his standards this was a kindergarden picture. So for anyone being hyped for a big dose of takashi violence, this ain't it. I still enjoyed it though. Give it a try, but i rewatched blade of the immortal and it was more violent than this.

Stylish, fast-moving, packed with action, this newest film from Takashi Miike is eye candy. It involves call girl and boxer getting involved in a drug deal gone wrong and following escapades over on night. Miike has an obsession with the Yazuka and this is no exception. His film moves like a samurai movie. The discussions and negotiations occur in the first part of the movie; the action dominates the second part. Miike excels in non-linear narrative. For a filmmaker who is typically "out there," this story is surprisingly conventional. This movie is therefore the best introduction for those who are unfamiliar with Miike's film making. There is enough for those who know and are familiar with his movies to be entertained.

Apparently Takashi Miike has a fanbase. I don't know if I watched other movies from him, I doubt it, but after watching this one I don't really feel like it to be honest. It's the typical Asian fighting movie, in this case Japanese, with the usual overacting you get with Asian movies, which is annoying by the way. I wonder why Asian movies are almost always like that? Is it a criteria for them to make a good movie? The Japanese language isn't great to listen to but if you add the constant yelling on top of that it just doesn't do it any good. As for the story I saw worse, but at one point you just have no clue on who is killing who anymore and that isn't a good thing. Hatsukoi or First Love isn't the best Japanese movie but also not the worst. I think I'll just stick with South-Korean movies when I want to see some quality Asian productions.

Amazing film and best Miike film since 13 assassins (I like every Miike film mostly). Two or three different stories/themes going on at the same time all linked in this one. It's violent but not disturbing violence. Best romantic comedy ever made lol

Sauce