it hard to be familiar with the movie of takashi miike . despite see the majority of his film release in america ( and even a few that have yet to be release here . ) and it hard not to feel like i have lose something in translation . i can appreciate the humor and the violence and the plot and etc . but there be usually part that seem to lose me and and his movie typically require repeat viewing . it not that i be particularly new to the film he create or the film of japanese director in general the point i be try to illustrate be that you have to want to appreciate his film . you have to work hard sometimes to get into what he do and because he often throw conventional plot point and hook that grab you and and structure and out the window . even his most fairly straightforward film take many detour into the bizarre ( see the tank randomly show up in family or the rocket launcher that come out on nowhere in at least two of his film . ) . so and it not surprise that this be one of miike work that hasn not get quite the attention of the immediately gratify ichi the killer or audition . use the hook of a sword fight epic initially get people interested in this film and but see no conventional plot line or point to what be happen turn most people off and it seem . this confuse me though i definitely do not grasp everything upon the first viewing of this and i be still instantly amaze at what miike have set up here represent a journey through one man torture soul . even if you do not feel like you understand everything that happen and you still realize this film be genius maybe you just haven not figure out why yet . upon repeat viewing and however and i figure out why . you have to kind of look in between the line on this one . this film be powerful and epic and emotional and and even darkly comedic . yes and on the surface this film be basically just a journey through someone afterlife . however and beyond that and the film pours on the flashy imagery and ultraviolence and and powerful emotion to an almost suffocating degree . in a lot of way and this film remind me of el topo a movie that be disguise a a genre effort ( el topo be a western and this be a samurai swordfighting film ) that use the basic genre outline but explore topic deep than have ever be cover in the genre before . i think those who overlook this film simply be expect a straightforward swordfighting movie and which this film clearly isn not . it way well than that and and it honestly probably the best film to come out in the last decade . it one of the few film that have ever move me . it be somewhat challenging cinema and and you might need a decent background in japanese culture or mysticism or force to totally understand everything in this movie . unfortunately and most people would not bother . but for those who like to think a little bit and remember that this film require repeat viewing . a masterpiece and easily prof miike talent more so than any of his other film so far .