The Happiness of the Kakaturis Blu-ray Review
Review: The issue with reviewing a film as twistedly insane as The Happiness of the Kakaturis is trying to convey just how sick, perverse and down-right strange it really is. Under the expert control of Japanese cult legend Takashi Miike, this pitch-black comedy horror-musical is a must-see for Miike purists, but absolutely not for the uninitiated. Combining his customary bloodlust with technically astonishing musical numbers and bizarre animated deluges, Miike has created that rare thing: a truly unique experience. Whether or not this experience proves pleasurable will hinge largely on one's penchant for horror tropes and screwball comedy. And Japanese pop music. It doesn't happen often, but I am honestly lost for words here. I'm reasonably sure I liked this movie, but looking back now, I'm starting to doubt myself. Perhaps that is the film's greatest strength: putting an audience in an indescribable headspace from which even the most evangelical of film critics emerge uncertain. I can't honestly call it a great film, yet Miike's technical proficiency and the (very occasionally) heartfelt story of family and acceptance make this acid-level headtrip, at the very least, an unforgettable one. Side note: a Being John Malkovich-style trip into Miike's mind would be deeply fascinating, whilst also deeply disturbing. Just like his films, then...
Extras: Besides Arrow Video's ever-impressive restoration and collector's booklet, this edition features commentaries with Miike and critic Tom Mes, a new interview with Miike, a making-of documentary, archive interviews with the main cast, a featurette on the animations, a visual essay on Miike's career by Mes and trailers (everyone loves a trailer to the film they've just watched, right?)
Score: 4/5 (I think)
Extras: Nothing is real. Help me.
The Happiness of the Katakuris is out on Blur-ay on 22nd June
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