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The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi
User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20

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  1. VinceH.
    Jun 16, 2004
    10
    One of the best movies of the year! (So far). Not to sound like Jeffrey Lyons or anything, but it is. Kitano is one of my favorite directors and once again he does not dissapoint while delivering his best feature since "Hana-Bi".
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. NinjaMafia
    Jul 8, 2004
    8
    Zatoichi is a movie based off a famous samurai movie character. While I have to admit I haven't seen any other Zatoichi movies, this one was so good that it can make me start. Okay here is how it breaks down, Zatoichi is a blind massuer, gambler, and occasionally master swordsman. He enters a town which is under the grip of two warring gangs. While he is in the town, he meets two geishas. The geishas tell him about how their family got murdered and how they are after vengeance. There are a ton of branching plot lines like the bodyguard and branching storylines from other branching storylines. Overall, the story feels a bit to undeveloped, but supposedly it was suppose to be that way. While I can't really complain, seeing how at least it gets you through the movie. The action in the movie is where it gets its strips. The action is about as realistic as a samurai movie can get. Although the action scenes don't last for more than a minute most of the times. That's the beauty in Kitano's directing, he gives us short bursts of violence to shock and keep us on our toes, and it is a very good way of directing. The acting is naturally good, so I won't go into that. Overall, Zatoichi is a fun exciting way to spend two hours, it's kind of like watching a play or opera or something like that. Also, be prepared for the best dance sequence in the history of movies, or at least the best tap dancing sequence.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. JamesM
    Dec 11, 2005
    10
    Takeshi Kitano's masterpiece. You must see this film.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. Riren
    Jan 30, 2007
    10
    An unflinching revival of the Zatoichi series, this movie requires no knowledge of prior films, or even Japanese film history - though every drop of knowledge helps. All you really need to know is that this is an expert's product in the new kind of film, that which will do whatever it wants whenever it wants. What Zatoichi does that others fail at is earn at or amuse with everything it decides to do, from dance scenes to fight scenes, from innuendo to philosophy. It's not as pretty as Hero or Curse of the Golden Flower, nor are its actors as internationally recognizable - but it is considerably better at doing almost everything that those two movies do, short the wire teams. Give it a try, and bring your friends.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. GerronK
    Oct 24, 2004
    6
    In what can only be called a failed attempt at a Samurai film, this film fails in nearly everything. The action is, however, exceptionally superb, but the storyline and the way how the storyline is executed is horribly done.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. SteveG.
    Jun 4, 2004
    9
    This movie is probably not to everyone's taste but in its way encapsulates a lot of what a good film should be: a timeless, satisfying storyline offering a balance of contemplation and action mixed with a sense of fun and energetic self-belief. Takeshi Kitano does a masterful job as director and hero, has solid support throughout and provides an unforgettable and uplifting spectacle - right through to the lively dance sequence by the cast at the end. It isn't entirely flawless and some would condemn the idea of a blind master swordsman dispensing justice as preposterous, but this is cinema at its best and deserves a far bigger audience than it is likely to get.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. RJSamson
    Jul 12, 2004
    8
    Wildly theatrical!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. DreadzO.
    Jul 23, 2004
    8
    Zatoichi is simply brilliant and a worthy addition to the genre. Kitano has done well to translate this hero so breathtakingly to the big screen.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  9. LoreleiQ.
    Jul 30, 2004
    9
    My family is really into the Zatoichi series, and we all loved this version. Especially the incorporation of the Stomp-style "musicians." I loved the musical finale, Kitano's wink to the audience: remember, it's just a movie.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  10. DamianP.
    Aug 27, 2004
    7
    The musical farm-hands were a bit ridiculous, but I was still entertained. Not a masterpiece, but watch it anyway.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  11. BrianD.
    Jan 16, 2005
    9
    Kitano makes This movie Interesting.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  12. ChristianR.
    Aug 16, 2004
    8
    A highly enjoyable, inventive film. very funny oments and a final dance that's better than anything out of Chicago (the movie version).
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  13. Sam
    Aug 21, 2004
    10
    The best thing since Kill Bill. a true samurai movie. the plots awesome, the actions awesome, this movie is just, all in all, awesome. just enough humor and a cool thing with beats and rythm. very reminiscent of Kurosawa.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Manohla Dargis
    80
    Kitano uses exaggerated acting, choreo-graphed violence and, most radically, the rhythms of everyday life -- farmers pounding the earth, the syncopated plop of falling rain -- to turn this genre story into a crypto-Kabuki play and one blissfully idiosyncratic diversion.
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  2. New York Post
    Reviewed by: V.A. Musetto
    75
    The tap-dance finale is a gem.
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  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Jami Bernard
    50
    The best part of Zatoichi is its fine sense of rhythm, culminating in a galvanizing clog-dance finish.
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