Review – Sukiyaki Western Django
- Ethan Cole
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Sebberarru handredo yeerz aftah zha batteru obbu Dannoura, jurringu zha taiem obbu zha gorrdu raahsh; tuu raibarru crans; zha Redsu ando zha Waitozu obbu zha wahrueeng Genji ando Heike crans. Entah zha Gunman; typicarree disregahrding eizzah sai-do he stahrs shit up.
Not a trahdishaneru remayke, een so fahr as itsu more ah haiborrido eentertwined wizzu zha threds obbu Django ando nodzu to Sergio Leone uesutanzu. Itsu ahmaysingu how natchurrarru it feers; a pahfect brend that is arrumost sehcondo neicharru.
Unraiku zha originarru Django, zhis firrumu opensu up wizzu braito ando corroffu armost raik ah supah sachurayted stayju vahreeant obbu reearru screen prohjekshun – itsu grayt wae to start zha fiirmu moveeng naisuree into zha taitaru cardo. Zha taitarru cardo feechars ah cooru effecto, but itsu samwat disahpointing zhat zhere waasnt ah grand ohpuratic openeeng ecksupectedo obbu zhis stairru obbu uestan. Wizzu zhis firrmu zha Django theme prays obber zha endo credits – zhis Django theem songu remicksu izo ah naisu touch, sangufure itsu not dun een Engrish ando jahst as catochee as zha originarru.
If the above Engrish wasn’t grating (arguably it’s not quite on the same level as my broken Engrish) and intelligible – of course on DVD there’s always subtitles, which does detract from the picture’s intent, which in itself is a classic “you love it or you hate it” – complete with a division of “f*** you I’m better” attitude. Either you dig it and roll with it, or hate it and wonder why others are laughing and figure you’re not going to be a poser and laugh too. Good on you (and I mean that genuinely… which in itself is a rarity). Now fuck off and lets raffu owtu rowd wizzu zha tunzo obbu fahn.
Roughly 25 minutes in, it does begin to sound natural but no less hilarious, as it makes for some hysterical lines delivered in light of the ‘language’ of the Old West – such gems as “you old biddy”, the others are best heard. Although the Engrish does make for an interesting sexual come on in a few instances.[spoiler] Further, to have Shakespeare read out in Engrish is pure award worthy genius [/spoiler].
The acting and performances are great and for the most part solid, regardless of the purely phonetic Engrish delivery. The Sheriff’s performance is a comedic highlight, as is Henry with his overly too deep and gravely voice for spoken English. Tarantino has a small but amusing (and somewhat important) role, giving a good performance that doesn’t reference his persona – it’s not acting to the extent of his Richie Gecko role. Funnily enough his Engrish at some instances is harder to understand than the Engrish natives.
The film features a good balance of drama and the serious touches of a Western without sacrificing any of the comedy. Additionally the battles are fun and well staged with some excellent stunt work – although the bar-brawl was a little sloppy, but not as rigid or awkward as the old west. The gunplay is a mix of classic western six-shooter gun slinging with an anime styled delivery – as well as an excellent use of physics. The film could have used some more action, but what’s available is fun, although the final battle, though grand, could’ve featured a bit more in the way of drama – given the film’s title and the finale of the original Django – but what’s here is interesting enough, albeit too short for my tastes – especially in light of some anime titles that have a similar confrontation but with a the battle lasting longer.
From a production standpoint this film is remarkable in scope with impressive art direction that blends the two worlds seamlessly to the point it looks perfectly natural; evident throughout the color palette set design, clothing – with a nice touch in regards to the plaid lumberjack-esque attire. The hybrid setting, the quirkiness works well; in which the cartoon-like slapstick gags deliver true comedy and intentional laughs with some truly hysterical moments. There’s a particularly nice ‘cinema’ gag where one would almost expect a ‘matrix’ effect. Also, what would seeming be over the top sound effects fit naturally, more so than in some of the old spaghetti-westerns.
A particularly interesting segment is a well shot/edited expressive dance sequence with a nice score to match – it was a nice way to communicate and intercut back story, refreshing to see. In light of the blend; there’s a nice consistency in editing and cinematography – with expansive scenic shots and the juxtaposition of extreme close up; both expected and required of a western (ironically this is far more a ‘western’ than 3:10 To Yuma). Simultaneously the pacing is fairly good and the single-take comedic shots actually work well here.
The audio mix is fantastic from the amped up revitalized classic sound of the six-shooters to the howling wind and the subtleties of the spurs. Augmenting and complimenting this hybrid is the score; featuring a perfect mélange of Western and Japanese flourishes – a highlight is no doubt; the Sukiyaki Western Django theme that plays over the end credits.
After the shower the sun will be shining, and as such, it’s good to see Miike hasn’t succumbed to the self-indulgent madness bug.
Rating: 8.4/10
Cumjackulation Rating: 7.3/10
(ratings explained)
