takashi miike be really a paradox while he can be right in your face and at the same time be pensive . izo be perhaps most representative of this paradox . no doubt and izo be extremely violent and brutal and yet one see a message lurking in the blood . i have read multiple interpretation on this film and and i myself see it a a search for god and humanity get in the way of it . others have see it a an anti war film . you may find a completely different interpretation . in these multiple interpretation lie the brilliance of the film . you must also watch the movie in a very abstract level and a oppose to the standard plot and with the character and place a symbol . those who be use to the dark humor and inventive violence of miike previous film like audition and ichi the killer would not find it here the violence be pretty straight forward ( but still graphic ) and and there be no humor here . miike probably make his most serious film to date with this film .