Rent Dead or Alive (1999)
3.3 of 5 from 70 ratings
1h 45min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
Welcome to Shinjuku - city of darkness and corruption. Here rapid-fire shoot-outs and twisted acts of perverse violence provide the backdrop for a vicious war between the Japanese Yakuza and the Chinese Triads, and make for one of the most dizzying and spectular openings ever committed to film. Ryuichi (Riki Takeuchi) is a gangster who is driven by a desire for power and the memory of his deprived childhood. His younger brother, Toji (Michisuke Kashiwaya), has just returned from studying in the U.S. Between them, they are about to learn some harsh lessons about life on the wrong side of the law. Meanwhile, Detective Jojima (Shô Aikawa) finds himself drawn deeper into the world of the Yakuza as he continues to make dirty deals he hopes will help raise the money to pay for his daughter's life-saving operation. - Actors:
- Shô Aikawa, Riki Takeuchi, Renji Ishibashi, Hitoshi Ozawa, Shingo Tsurumi, Kaoru Sugita, Duncan, Shû Ehara, Sei Hiraizumi, Hirotarô Honda, Michisuke Kashiwaya, Kazuki Kitamura, Mizuho Koga, Ryûshi Mizukami, Ren Ôsugi, Manzô Shinra, Tokitoshi Shiota, Tomorowo Taguchi, Susumu Terajima, Hua Rong Weng
- Directors:
- Takashi Miike
- Producers:
- Makoto Okada, Katsumi Ono
- Writers:
- Ichiro Ryu
- Aka:
- Dead or Alive: Hanzaisha
- Studio:
- Tartan
- Genres:
- Action & Adventure, Drama, Thrillers
- Collections:
- Top 10 Films By Year, Top 10 Films of 1999
- Countries:
- Japan
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Reviews (2) of Dead or Alive
Noodles, Blood, and Mayhem: Miike Unleashed - Dead or Alive review by griggs
Takashi Miike’s Dead or Alive kicks off with an absolutely bonkers opening—guns, strippers, noodles, and blood flying about in a whirlwind of pure madness. It’s like being thrown headfirst into a fever dream, and it’s honestly brilliant. Those first ten minutes set a tone of hypnotic chaos that the rest of the film tries to match, though it doesn’t always succeed.
The story follows a cop and a yakuza on a violent collision course. There are gripping moments and flashes of real style, but the middle stretches can feel meandering. Still, that strange Miike energy keeps things just about engaging, even when the plot goes off track.
Like the opening, the ending is completely berserk. It’s not for everyone, but it's worth a go if you like your films wild and unpredictable.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.
A mediocre Yakuza movie - Dead or Alive review by CP Customer
After an amazing five minute opening sequence, 'Dead Or Alive' quickly descends into an incredibly dull, mediocre Yakuza movie. There are a couple of Takashi Miike's trademark 'taboo shock' scenes, but even their inclusion feels forced and fairly pointless. Unless you are a hardcore fan of this type of Japanese action film then you're probably better off giving this a miss. If you're interested in checking out some of Takashi Miike's better work, give 'Ichi The Killer' or 'Audition' a try.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.