Sukiyaki Western Django

No matter how you try to describe it, Takashi Miike's Sukiyaki Western Django (2007) will always sounds silly - because the film is utterly silly as well. It is a Japanese western which - at the same time - both pokes fun at the entire genre and works as a respectful tribute for the genre. Combine that with Miike who chooses the extremely absurd and tongue-in-cheek way to approach the story. Initially, the film's story is very similar to Kurosawa's Yojimbo (the story of which was altered for Sergio Leone's A Fistful of Dollars as well): a skilled gunman gets mixed up with two warring clans who are looking for a treasure. The peculiarness can be spotted from the get-go, but at some point the story spirals out of control and - in a way - turns into something that is really hard to describe for someone who has not seen the film.

Sukiyaki Western Django is too funny to be taken seriously at any point - even though it seems to take itself seriously at a few points. It doesnt really have a lot to say about anything, it's simply BONKERS. The whole cast speaks their line in English (with only one line spoken in Japanese) only because it sounds funny. However, the joke doesnt remain funny throughout the film and becomes a little dry and weary by the end of the film. Luckily Miike's playful form makes the film somewhat funny: bright colors, silly Dutch angles and wild editing. The explosive and ridiculously complicated finale was a pleasant surprise after the unevenness that the rest of film suffers from. Quentin Tarantino's small role is a nice addition to the film, but it is forgettable in the end.

Sadly, Miike does not succeed in controlling his absurdity, unlike in Visitor Q and Ichi the Killer. He loses himself into poking fun at everything and the messy narrative. He isnt even able to craft unforgettable characters in this film. There are a few moments of true brilliance and the form is fine most of the time, but ultimately the film is more or less a mess. It is too self-aware for its own good.

Score: 5 out of 10