Hana-Bi: a film of two halves really. First part sets up the backdrop for the second, but because all of the action and drama had happened at the start I was pretty restless after the hour mark. Long shots, minimal style, bare dialogue contrasting with the graphic violence and slapstick comedy moments make it a bit of a mixed bag. Very little happens, but the bodycount’s impressive! Overall, not as good as other similar film’s he’s done (Violent Cop / Sonatine) or starred in (Gonin), but worth watching if you like ‘Beat’  Takeshi Kitano.

Score: 6/10