Directed by Takashi Miike

 

 

It's no surprise to anyone who's read my reviews, as I've made note of it on several occasions, that I idolize Takashi Miike's style and techniques. When Showtime first talked of airing their phenomenal series, The Masters of Horror, and that each episode would be directed by some of our times most notable directors such as Tobe Hooper, Wes Craven and Mick Garris I was pretty excited. But when I learned that Miike was asked as well I flipped…I watched and I waited impatiently for the Miike installment, IMPRINT. Then when I heard Showtime pulled it and banned it from cable television, deeming it too violent and graphic I was pissed. Pissed or not I knew they would soon release it on DVD like they were the others. So one day after work I stopped off and picked it up. Me and some of my buds popped it in that night and set in horror and shock of what we'd seen. One of the nights participants even passed out.

 Granted IMPRINT isn't as "hardcore" or bloody as some of his early predecessors such as ICHI THE KILLER, AUDITION or THE BLACK SOCIETY TRILOGY, yet it still has that Miike feel to it that draws you into the story itself and really makes you feel the pain and suffering his characters do. It's still creepy as shit. Just knowing this was something he did for television is amazing.

 

Christopher (Billy Drago) has traveled back to that little town on the river in Japan where he was hoping to find his one true love, Kimomo.(Michie Ito) and take her back to the United Sates for a new life. Upon arrival to the island he searches for her but to no avail. It seems no one there has heard of her, like she doesn't exist. As daylight suddenly escapes him he decides, or is told by locals, that it would be better for him to stay at the village for the night and travel by day. There's nothing but miscreants and demons residing on this island.

 

Taking a disfigured blue haired woman for his staying pleasure he soon learns of a very fuckin weird tale, one that will destroy him. He learns of Kimomo's painful last days, the odd euthanasia –esque tales of her own personal life experiences, that lead up to the finale, Christopher's tale!

If you have a weak stomach and aren't used to watching these kinds of films I'd suggest steering away from this one kiddoes. I've seen tons of movies and seen several just as bad, if not worse then Imprint but there's no denying that this movie has some balls!! Miike has never been one for his movies making sense. He does what he does best and shows us his vision with the cinematography and lighting.

 

 Seriously! There isn't one thing I could find wrong with this movie. It just flat our fuckin owns!! The tree, for instance, the one where they just toss their dead (yeah!! they just toss their dead in this pile of bodies under the tree)…the lighting hues in those scenes are phenomenal. One of the more noticeable aspects that make this an excellent fuckin movie is the fact that it was shot entirely Asian yet all the cast are speaking English. Granted a few, poorly, but they're still speaking English! The acting was just brilliant.

 

I could just ramble on and on about how great this movie is but you really need to go watch it for yourself. The torture scenes are brutal and flat out disturbing. Anyone who says otherwise..come on… she pisses herself she's so scared. How much more vivid can you get? We've all gotten something stuck under or broke one off, but we've all felt the freakin pain of having something jabbed up under our nails. Try long needles under each one!! Miike has yet again impressed the hell out of me with his unique vision. I recommend anyone who deems themselves a horror fan to watch this. This is quite possibly the best movie made in over 10 years!!

 

^v^ NECRoSTEIN ^v^