Agitator aka Outlaw Souls: Agitator (2001)

Production: Daiei
Color / Length: Color, 200 minutes
Director: Takashi Miike
Actors: Mickey Curtis, Yoshyuki Daichi, Naoto Takenaka

Review:
This is another Takashi Miike Yakuza Eiga (YE) I eagerly waited to see. I was fortunate enough to purchase the uncut version of this movie (~3 hours). Three hours of crazy YE action from Japan’s latest directing stud seemed like a dream. My hopes were super high with anticipation (they always are when it comes to top-notch directors and the YE genre). Although, the last Miike YE I watched was “Deadly Outlaw: Rekka” and I wasn’t impressed. I have faith that Miike is capable of producing intense, dynamic, F**k You Up, quality YE’s as he’s done in the past. Unfortunately, my most recent opinions of his movies have been a coin toss, good or bad. Agitator came in two parts (Part I: War Ensemble & Part II: Bloody War). What do you expect when the film is 3+ hours long? So, at least that’s something to look forward too if you’re a fan of the genre and the film is good. The movies star some fresh and old faces to Miike yakuza eiga. Again, the director himself makes a cameo appearance (the other I know of was “Graveyard of Honor”). The YE great Hiroki Matsukata plays the role of Kaido of the Tensei group. I love seeing this guy since his great YE 70’s flicks. He is easily becoming my second favorite YE actor (after Bunta of course).

So, the story goes… Part One: War EnsembleThe Yokomizo & Shirane gangs are the powers of the underworld in this Japanese city (Tokyo?). They are sworn enemies who live in relative peace. One day, a hired Shirane drug-addict (Miike) is sent into Yokomizo territory to stir up trouble and loses his life in the process by members of the Higuchi gang (who are under the Yokomizo umbrella). While both groups prepare for war or mediation, a hired assassin is sent to kill Yokomizo himself. Higuchi, sworn brother to Yokomizo, and his extreme Higuchi group are devastated. Kensaki, an erratic yakuza in the Higuchi group, is sent to kill Boss Shirane in revenge. Behind the scenes, the leader of the Tensei Association (a large yakuza group) has died and their executive members are vying for leadership. Kaido (Matsukata), a Tensei executive member wants to merge the Yokomizo & Shirane gangs and have them unite under his Tensei group, making him strongest of the other executive groups. He sets a plan of deceit and backstabbing and ignites a war with the Yokomizo outcasts, Higuchi Gang.

Part Two: Bloody WarWith both bosses of the Shirane & Yokomizo groups dead, next generation leaders are appointed. With Kaido’s mediation, both new bosses exchange the cup of bonding. Higuchi becomes suspicious of his peers and severs ties with Yokomizo. Which leads to Kenzaki rampaging against any who stand in the way of his boss, Higuchi. In the meantime, Kensaki and crew kidnap the second in command Shirane and extract information about what is really going on behind the scenes. Yokomizo and Shirane gang are set to merge under Kaido and his Tensei Association. In the exchange for the kidnapped, Higuchi is assassinated. Higuchi group has a newly appointed second generation boss, who goes back under the Yokomizo Group. Kenzaki dismantles his crew and sends them packing. Finally, the Kaido jig is up, but Kenzaki is bent on revenge, he sets a path of death and destruction against, Yokomizo, Shirane and Kaido.

I liked it. That’s all I can say. It wasn’t an orgasmic experience, nor was I wanting to stick my thumbs in my eyes. It was what it was, a straight up yakuza film. Maybe for the “shocked” Miike fan, there will be disappointment. Nothing shocking in this film. Lots of non-chalant shootouts though. The acting was decent and the story flowed well. The only thing I didn’t like/understand was the whole kaleidoscope thing and Kenzaki’s chick flashbacks. Made no sense at all and I got the feeling Miike wanted it to have a Bladerunner like feel to those out of place scenes. But, this was definitely a step up from “Deadly Outlaw: Rekka”. I recommend it for those Miike Yakuza fans, but the perverse sex starved gore fanatics will be disappointed. This film didn’t “WOW” me, but it was a good way to waste 3 hours of my life. A must for Miike dorks.

Guest Reviewer: Steven McVey

3 1/2 Katanas