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Daredevil
vs. Spider-Man
2003 - Marvel (Buena Vista)
Spider-Man is forever destined
to be a cartoon series, and he had his best incarnation in the 90s
with the Fox series merging traditional and computer animation.
There were big, operatic stories based on comic continuity with good
acting and serviceable animation. Buena Vista's been issuing
compilation discs of some of these adventures and now with
Daredevil coming out today, we
get the two adventures starring horn head and two with Kingpin going
solo. The best thing about this set is the interviews and
introductions with co-creator Stan Lee and the Marvel Power Hour
bonus episode starring the Fantastic Four and DD. This is a
worthwhile disc for fans, but it's too bad Marvel doesn't release
these series in total. I'm sure once the comps are out we'll get
everything, but it would be nice to have some order to it.
Doogan Says: Spider-Man on DVD
is always a good thing. B-
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Zatoichi
1: The Tale of Zatoichi
1962 (2002) - Daiei Pictures (Home Vision)
Ichi is one of the best samurai out there. He utterly rocks. Blind,
ragged, a poor yakuza gambler travelling from village to village
handing out massages, taking money from poor dupes and kicking much
ass with unique but deadly sword drawing ability. Shintaro Katsu is
a great actor and creates a brilliant screen hero in Ichi.
This first adventure finds Ichi in the middle of a historically
true turf war, played against each side and wanting nothing to do
with it. But when an honorable ronin comes into the war, he finds
himself drawn in more out of honor than anything else. Will Ichi
live to rub another shoulder, or has he met his match? Considering
there are 26 films in this series and a long running television
series, I'm guessing he lives. Hopefully that won't ruin the
experience for you.
Home Vision, sister of Criterion, is doing these films proud. This
film looks great; there are some print issues here and there, but so
what. The sound is also good. Extras are light with nothing but a
stills gallery and a sheet of collector's cards, but just having
this great film on DVD is a gift.
Doogan Says: Zatoichi rocks.
Rock with him. B+
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Zatoichi
2: The Tale of Zatoichi Continues
1962 (2002) - Daiei Pictures (Home Vision)
A direct sequel to the first film, The
Tale Continues picks up a short time later and Ichi is
still at odds with the families from the first film. Not only that
but a mysterious one-armed man from his past shows up and the only
way out is an all-out duel to end all duels. Samurai fans should
take note, the one-armed samurai is played by Tomisaburo Wakayama,
brother of Katsu and star of his own series Lone
Wolf and Cub -- long overdue on DVD if you ask me.
Extras are light, but the DVD is beautiful. Extras are exactly the
same format as the first disc: stills and cards.
Doogan Says: Can't watch the
first without following up with the second. B+
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Zatoichi
3: New Tale of Zatoichi
1963 (2002) - Daiei Pictures (Home Vision)
Ichi finds love in his first color adventure. Coming home, Ichi
finds things have changed a little bit. His old teacher is not the
nicest guy in the world and his teacher's sister is betrothed to a
man she doesn't want to marry - so she asks Ichi to do her the
honor. Of course, being a blind man makes Ichi a pariah and this
can't be allowed. This is another kick ass Ichi film on DVD. It's a
kick seeing Ichi in color, and director Tokuza Tanaka's use of the
widescreen format is genius. I know I'm not getting too into these
films, but it's on purpose, the less you know about these wonderful
films going in the more fun you have exploring their worlds. Just
know every one of the Zatoichi
films are worth your time and you can't go wrong.
Doogan Says: Seriously, you
can't go wrong. B+
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Zatoichi
4: The Fugitive
1963 (2002) - Daiei Pictures (Home Vision)
This is one of the weaker Ichi
films - but still a good one. Entering the township of Shimonita,
Ichi learns that he's a wanted man. He also learns that the woman he
loved and lost as a youth has taken up with a ruthless ronin who has
sworn to take Ichi's head for a reward. When things spiral out of
even Ichi's control, he lets his sword do the talking and it seems
no one from the village will walk away without being cut by his
blade.
It's a bit slower than the first three films, but definitely worth
the time checking it out.
Doogan Says: Not as strong
going as the first three, but worth the time. B-
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Zatoichi
5: On the Road
1963 (2002) - Daiei Pictures (Home Vision)
Ichi, sworn to protect the life of a young girl, once again finds
himself in the middle of a turf war. But this time he plays ball and
turns in one of the greatest climax battles since
Seven Samurai. My favorite of
the first five films, On the Road
starts off red hot and just keep getting hotter. You can't miss this
one.
I think this is the last in the series that will feature collector
cards, and I also believe this will be the last one that won't
feature a trailer as an extra. Starting with the next set of discs,
Home Vision will include mini-posters and trailers as extras. Which
is quite cool and I can't wait to get them.
Doogan Says: Run, don't walk,
to catch this Ichi adventure.
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