Review - Takashi Miike's Fudoh: The Next Generation By Nicholas O'Malley The Yasha Gang threatens the Fudoh family when one of its own is killed while delivering narcotics. Riki Fudoh's older brother, Ryu, responds with an "eye for an eye". Suddenly, the Yasha Gang and the Fudohfs are on the brink of an all out war in Kyushu. The Niho council makes Iwao Fudoh, the father of Riki and Ryu, take responsibility for what happens. He agrees, and than on one-night Riki sneaks into Ryufs room and witnesses his father murder him, and decapitating his head. Iwao had indeed gone insane. Ten years later, on the anniversary of Ryufs death, Riki secretly plans his revenge... At first glance of the Fudoh: TNG cover, you would probably dismiss it and walk away. That is, if you did not know who Takashi Miike was. As Fudoh is one of the first of his films to be released State side; it is difficult to believe that Miike has spent his last 3 years in celebration for his violent, out of control, exploitive, and even touching films. But it wasnft always like that (and actually still isnft). Miike churns out 3 to 4 films a year, some good, some you might as well gloss over. But its exciting to see Fudoh, not because his name is simply attached to the movie, but the sheer shocking nature of the work. Riki's gang consists of 10 year old kids who blow Yakuza away with handguns and shock them with tasers, highschool girls who shoot darts from their.... um, privates, and a huge Sumo wrestler looking guy who looks like he can squash watermelons for heads and in fact does! Though Riki wants revenge against his father, he does realize the true enemy is Nohma, head of the Yasha Gang played by the silent bad ass Riki Takeuchi of Dead or Alive fame. Although this all might sound well and good, most of this film is purely superfluous. Some scenes drag while others parts of the story lead to dead ends and are just there to show a little bit of sex. SPOILER ALERT! The only thing that really irks me is the open ending in this film. Nohma and Riki are on the verge of a duel but what happens next? Personally, ten more minutes wouldnft have hurt to end the duel and finish the film properly. I am recommending Fudoh but in a way itfs very unremarkable. Itfs simply one of over a hundred of straight to video Yakuza series flooding the market every year. Fudoh also has 2 unremarkable sequel that weren't made by Miike either. But in a way this is still a very fun flick to watch but I suggest renting it before buying it. It isnf t easy to find and is definitely not at a Blockbuster store, so look hard. Also, this film was based on a manga so now you know it correlates to the rest of the anime/manga media. And soon it will be on DVD. Check it out. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005R5GR/qid=1011683777/sr=8- 1/ref=sr_8_3_1/103-3099371-1295043