Punk Samurai Blu-ray Review: Rich satire of cults & bureaucracy

Review: Punk Samurai is a completely over the top, precision satire of government bureaucracy introducing their own self-made religious cult… Then fighting it.

Third Window Films delivers an eccentric yet richly layered Blu-ray release that’s sure to entertain.

This Punk Samurai Blu-ray review contains spoilers for the film.

Underneath the whacky hijinks of this film containing everything from a Belly Shaking religious sect to a fully speaking elder samurai monkey, lies a multi-faceted parody.

Government hierarchies are fully explored in jest as political rivals are reduced to town monkey show coordinators.

Punk Samurai Blu-ray Review. Photo provided by UK based movie distributor Third Window Films.

Perhaps, most impressive is Punk Samurai’s dedication to making the ‘zany’ ultra serious. From the government leader’s (actor Masahiro Higashide) questioning the humor of a monkey not bowing to him… To diverting funds to combating a non-existent religious organization purely because of an advisor’s recommendations.

Punk Samurai Blu-ray Review. Pictured: Gô Ayano as Junoshin Kake. Photo provided by UK based movie distributor Third Window Films.

In fact, the advisor would later resurrect ‘The Belly Shakers’ religious cult to save face himself.

Which backfires greatly when the facade actually gains massive popularity.

Punk Samurai Blu-ray Review. Photo provided by UK based movie distributor Third Window Films.

On top of it all, you have actor Gô Ayano as protagonist Junoshin Kake. A comedic ronin who fools everyone into believing in his leadership through confidence… Despite having no real idea what he’s doing at all.

An initial mistaken murder on his part leads the movie’s primary revenge story led by Ron (actress Keiko Kitagawa).

Junoshin takes out the wrong guy in a village to start off Punk Samurai. Relying on the belief of a hidden tattoo that doesn’t appear. He then puts on airs, claiming the guy was related to the Belly Shakers.

Punk Samurai Blu-ray Review. Pictured: Gô Ayano as Junoshin Kake and Keiko Kitagawa as Ron. Photo provided by UK based movie distributor Third Window Films.

Without spoiling too much of the film, we’ll say that the action scenes are plentiful. Top tier comedic choreography.

Especially, an initial forest battle between Junoshin Kake and a childhood friend. There you’ll see parody moves reminiscent of MMA mixed with Mortal Kombat 2’s friendships. A more crude edge, old school humor.

The monkey army battle scene is surprisingly high grade CGI. Much more than you’d expect for this kind of parody movie.

We particularly took notice of one character who’s able to make people float and burst into fireworks. It’s quite a visual, like something you’d see in anime brought to life.

Conclusion: Niche centric audience but those who invest time into Punk Samurai will have a fun watch. A film you can relax after work with and just be entertained. Surprisingly high end production and visual aesthetics for a parody work.

– Third Window Films’ Punk Samurai Blu-ray contains a lengthy, hour long+ ‘behind the scenes’ look at the grand monkey army battle and much more.

– You can purchase Punk Samurai for the first time outside Japan on Third Window Films.

Punk Samurai Blu-ray Details: Third Window Films Release

Punk Samurai Film Blu-ray Review. Photo provided by UK based movie distributor Third Window Films.

“Bonus Features
• Making Of (66 mins)
• Go Ayano interview (6 mins)
• Premiere Stage Greetings (16 mins)
• Trailer
 
Limited Time Exclusive
• Slipcase with artwork by Gokaiju
• Reversible Sleeve with original Japanese artwork
• Slipcase edition limited to 1000 copies
• Region B”

Punk Samurai Plot Synopsis & Trailer:

“In search of employment and a permanent position and having committed murder the ronin Kake Junoshin tells the Kuroae clan that a religious cult is aiming for their destruction.
 
This gets him in, but he is soon disproved and arrested.
 
Given the death sentence and awaiting death he has to be quick on his feet and figure out a way to get himself out of the hole. Then the resurrection occurs.”

Punk Samurai Movie Cast

Punk Samurai Film Blu-ray Review. Pictured: Junoshin Kake (Go Ayano). Photo provided by UK based movie distributor Third Window Films.

Gô Ayano as Junoshin Kake
Keiko Kitagawa as Ron
Masahiro Higashide as Naohito Kuroae
Jun Murakami as Gosenro Manabe
Kiyohiko Shibukawa as Egere no Konji
Masatoshi Nagase as Nobuuzu Deusu
Shôta Sometani as Makobee Makubo
Tadanobu Asano as Hanro Chayama
Ryûya Wakaba as Osamu
Kôen Kondô as Shume Nagaoka
Jun Kunimura as Shuzen Oura
Etsushi Toyokawa as Tatewaki Naito
Lilika as Odoriko
Janryu Fujiwara as a party of Belly Shakers

Director: Gakuryû Ishii
Screenplay: Kankurô Kudô
Original Novel: Kô Machida

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