Zatoichi. Just the name of the movie itself promises so much. And, of course, Takeshi Kitano doesn’t fail to deliver. If you like gory swordfights that look really painful, this is the movie for you. If you like side-splitting slapstick comedy, this is the movie for you. If you like tap-dancing (I’m not kidding), this is the movie for you.

The story revolves around a sighted, acting like he’s blind, behaving like he’s sighted swordsman who spends his days wandering around Japan. [Ed: Upon further reflection prompted by a pointer from a friend, I realised he was really blind after all.] Eventually he ends up in a town torn apart by gangwars and finds himself at the center of it all.

The only weak point, perhaps, is the predictability of the plot. Zatoichi is invincible. Opponents are slashed to ribbons almost routinely and after a certain point, it becomes a question of how and not if, the bad guys will get shredded.

However, that does nothing to lessen the enjoyability of this movie. And all that blah blah. I’m too sleepy to come up with a proper conclusion for this pseudo-review. Time for a nap. Don’t miss this one. You’ll regret it.