Toshiro
is a former special forces operative, now retired, living a quiet life
as a shopkeeper. He is still haunted by the impulses that made him a
legendary unstoppable killer. When his former commanding officer - seeking
revenge - re-emerges from the bloody past seeking revenge, Toshiro is
forced to go on a brutal killing spree against a squad of ruthless assassins.
The
story, written by Sion Sono (click
here for a list of Sion Sono's most notorious films),
is loosely based on Taku Sakaguchi's character in the groundbreaking
Ryuhei Kitamura film VERSUS.
However, the emphasis here is on action. The lion's share of the 100
minute running time emphasizes an unorthodox form of close-quarters
martial arts known as 'Zero Range Combat.' The movie is an overwhelming
barrage of (incredibly realistic) knife stabs and slices with blades
flashing across the screen in a balletic yet gruesome display.
Back
in 2000, actor Taku Sakaguchi was working as a street fighter
when discovered by Ryuhei Kiamura and chosen to star in VERSUS.
He would continue in numerous subsequent Kiamura films (including ALIVE,
ARAAMI,
AZUMI,
et al) before branching off on his own for BATTLEFIELD
BASEBALL and the ninja actioner SHINOBI.
In 2006, the film DEATH
TRANCE changed his life. It was the first time, Sakaguchi got
behind the camera for a production. In addition to starring, he was
also the action director. This gave him the credentials to begin helming
various projects. He was the director for such legendary genre films
as SAMURAI
SCHOOL: BE A MAN and MUTANT
GIRLS SQUAD. Today, Taku Sakaguchi has announced this film,
REBORN, will be his last starring role and that he will now concentrate
on filmmaking.
A Japanese
film with English subtitles; widescreen format, uncut (100 minutes),
DVD encoded for ALL REGION NTSC WORLD FORMAT; extras include theatrical
trailer.
