Like the title suggests most of this movie is based around the nostalgic and tropical atmosphere of Okinawa. One would almost forget that this is a Yakuza movie but there's always something dark brewing under all that nostalgia and carefreenesses. This is supposedly the last movie in a minimalistic Yakuza-themed trilogy by Takeshi Kitano, I've already seen the second one "Violent Cop". I understand why they're regarded as a trilogy, while they do not have a cohesive story they're all somehow ruminations on the hopelessness of being a part of the crime world, if Violent Cop is more about the violence and corruption Sonatine is more about the lost innocence and the struggle to find a meaning within all that crime.
We follow Takeshi Kitano's character a Yakuza that aims to end a gang war between Yakuza so he and his group of Yakuza travel to Okinawa where the other group is posted- soon after one of his Yakuza friends (didn't understand this part) gets attacked he decides to hide with his group in a hit by the Okinawan beach. You sense a sort of doubt within him and that doubt becomes even more apparent when all of his yakuza friends start to act as children, recouping a lost innocence- it is at times very sweet and fun, but you just feel that this happiness isn't forever. All this is reflected on Takeshi Kitano's character who always in some ways makes the games a little bit dangerous, as if he's dancing with death even when they're supposed to be safe! That is at least my interpretation.
For all of its symbolism and minimalistic storytelling and humour I found it actually hard to be engaged in any of the characters of this movie- they all do a stellar job acting but I think the problem doesn't lie in their acting capabilities but more on the scripting and storytelling- we all know that Takeshi Kitano loves a minimalistic and art house vibe in his movies but somehow those elements are even more prevalent in this movie which gives way to a mixed effect, for me I didn't feel very engaged or invested in what happened except for in the time they were all having fun in the hut by the beach- all of the Yakuza and crime storyline was somehow a bit boring to me, even the ending felt a bit anticlimactic and also kind of expected if you've seen "Violent Cop" before (it's not supposed to be a happy ending) which is not very good.
The music however is excellent! Joe Hisaishi conveys the mood so expertly with gorgeous and lush soundtracks combining synth and orchestral arrangements that feel so nostalgic and fitting for the movie.
Another thing that is gorgeous is the cinematography, even if it was filmed in the 90s the footage and scenography is just so crisp and beautiful- really paradisiac and fitting to how the movie is!
All in all I'd say it is an interesting movie, not a movie I'd like to revisit but interesting nonetheless! It has a wonderful and atmospheric feel that is beautiful but the story isn't much to hang onto! I appreciate some of the humour it has but otherwise it is not a film that I want to go back to! Check it out either way cause there's something to gain by it!
We follow Takeshi Kitano's character a Yakuza that aims to end a gang war between Yakuza so he and his group of Yakuza travel to Okinawa where the other group is posted- soon after one of his Yakuza friends (didn't understand this part) gets attacked he decides to hide with his group in a hit by the Okinawan beach. You sense a sort of doubt within him and that doubt becomes even more apparent when all of his yakuza friends start to act as children, recouping a lost innocence- it is at times very sweet and fun, but you just feel that this happiness isn't forever. All this is reflected on Takeshi Kitano's character who always in some ways makes the games a little bit dangerous, as if he's dancing with death even when they're supposed to be safe! That is at least my interpretation.
For all of its symbolism and minimalistic storytelling and humour I found it actually hard to be engaged in any of the characters of this movie- they all do a stellar job acting but I think the problem doesn't lie in their acting capabilities but more on the scripting and storytelling- we all know that Takeshi Kitano loves a minimalistic and art house vibe in his movies but somehow those elements are even more prevalent in this movie which gives way to a mixed effect, for me I didn't feel very engaged or invested in what happened except for in the time they were all having fun in the hut by the beach- all of the Yakuza and crime storyline was somehow a bit boring to me, even the ending felt a bit anticlimactic and also kind of expected if you've seen "Violent Cop" before (it's not supposed to be a happy ending) which is not very good.
The music however is excellent! Joe Hisaishi conveys the mood so expertly with gorgeous and lush soundtracks combining synth and orchestral arrangements that feel so nostalgic and fitting for the movie.
Another thing that is gorgeous is the cinematography, even if it was filmed in the 90s the footage and scenography is just so crisp and beautiful- really paradisiac and fitting to how the movie is!
All in all I'd say it is an interesting movie, not a movie I'd like to revisit but interesting nonetheless! It has a wonderful and atmospheric feel that is beautiful but the story isn't much to hang onto! I appreciate some of the humour it has but otherwise it is not a film that I want to go back to! Check it out either way cause there's something to gain by it!