Hey guys and gals. This is sorta a follow up to my editorial about foreign directors and CBM's, well instead of just saying why they are I want to provide a good example of who I believe should make a trip over here to the states and make one if not a bunch. This man is my personal idol, he's someone who not only has made some great foreign films but has the most awesome story about as to how he became an auetuer film director, and that man is Takashi Miike. Who's Takashi Miike you might ask....well if you don't know who he is then you FAIL SIR OR MADAM!!!...just kidding.
Takashi Miike is a highly prolific Japanese director who has made over 70+ films since 1991, and had 15 film productions from 2001 to 2002...DAMN!!!...now thats AWESOME!!!He is best known for his range of films, he has done ultra violent and family friendly flicks, the likes of which I have not seen replicated here in the states with any well known Directors, except Robert Rodriguez.
Alright before I get too far into my ramblings of how much I look up to this man, I want to bring up a few of his films that I believe gives him a chance at doing legitimate comic book films. The first one I want to bring up is probably his most violent flick to date: Ichi the Killer or Koroshiya 1. This film is so wrong that it makes it a right kind of film to watch. It's full of WTF moments and the violence ranges from cartoony to realistic. I said to a friend that KICK-ASS is the American version of Ichi the Killer, while not the same plot or concept, its the similar themes and level of violence and depravity the characters have in them. His next feature which by far one of the best foreign horror films out there today is Audition.
Anyone who is a die hard foreign horror fan must see this. It made Bravos 100 scariest movie moments @ #11. This film is about about build up and suspense, its a very slow film but when something shocking happens, its hard to look at. I won't spoil it to anyone who hasn't seen it but its a must see. His last film that gives him credit is actually two films, those are Zebra-Man and Yatterman. Both of these films are essentially costumed hero films. I have seen Zebra-man and it is by far the most original and funniest thing I seen him do, it's basically putting a Power Rangers scenario and it merging with our reality, and its awesome. From what I seen and heard about Yatterman its a solid adaptation of the old anime.
So after giving you just a few good examples, he has many other films worth mentioning but I don't have the time nor energy to write them all...maybe I will do Miike reviews in the future. Anyway, Since there have been notable foreign directors who come here and make good film adaptation of our comics, Like Del Toro and The Russian guy who did WANTED, I think its time that Miike gets behind a few of these and give us his vision...his dark gruesome image.lol. So who should he bring to the big screen, I will do a top 5 CBM'S TAKASHI MIIKE SHOULD DIRECT!!!
#5. Iron Fist- while its most likely that he will be one of the Marvel shorts, Iron Fist is the ultimate martial arts expert in the Marvel Universe, He along with Luke Cage formed the Heroes for Hire, your basic level crime fighting team. From the films that I have seen, Miike has some expertise in using large crowd fight scenes or one on one really well, plus is they add in Luke Cage they can add some of Miike's humor when it comes to partners
#4. Wolverine 2- I know I know, but think about it, its set in Japan and its about a guy who cuts up people. It seems like the perfect opportunity for him to come in and do this film. He could actually bring some level of awesomeness and balls to the Wolverine character that deserves it.
#3. NEXTWAVE: AGENTS OF H.A.T.E.- This comic would be perfect for a film adaptation, none of the characters in it are licenses by other studio's, the story is silly, the characters are funny, its got crazy fight scenes, its got all these random WTF moments and is over all a fun ride no matter the reader, newbie or fanboy.
#2. 100 Bullets- Now while I only read the first volume, I thought the story and concept was cool, but I didn't find it all the fun of a read, I got bored half way but continued to read on. Other than that, I think such a story like it would might do much better told on the big screen.
and the #1 comic film Takashi Miike should direct is.....*drum roll*
#1. NEMESIS- THIS comic, while the art gets some flack, Millar's writing is spot on and always an enjoy to read. I mentioned this before, that I love Nemesis because everything about it is SO WRONG that its AWESOME. The main antagonist kills police chiefs, blows up a building, kidnaps the president on Air Force One, kills a bunch of people in the PENTAGON, and his origin is an extremely WTF back story that makes Bruce Wayne look like he had a normal life. Miike would make this character so much more menacing and more of dick than he is already that people would love to see what he would do next.
And so in closing, Miike is a director I highly admire and hope to one day learn from him, He was at last years NYCC but only on Friday, and I was there Saturday URRRGGGHHH!!!...well I hope to meet him one day and get an autograph. If anyone here who has read this and never seen any of his films, check out some, they are really good and well done for their time. I hope he eventually learns some English and decides to come state side once more and bring us something cool in a comic book movie. See you guys next time with my comic reviews. Til then Aki87 OUT!!!!