Outlaw Gangster VIP: The Complete Collection (6-Film Limited
Edition Box Set feat. Gangster VIP 1 & 2, Heartless, Goro the Assassin,
Black Dagger, and Kill!) [Blu-ray + DVD]
Company: Arrow Video
American Distributor: MVD Visual
Starring: Tetsuya Watari, Chieko Matsubara, Koji Wada, Jirô
Okazaki, Meiko Kaji, Goro Mutsumi, Tamio Kawachi
My Review and Thoughts:
Possibly one of the best Complete Collections to come to
Blu-ray. Arrow Video has an amazing job adding all these together in one
complete product. I was super happy to be able to experience these films. Arrow
Video has done a major justice in bringing this set to Blu-ray, to be able to
experience this crime, action series.
The first was Outlaw Gangster VIP followed by 5 sequels. The
whole series is amazing and is one of those series that lingers and stays with
you. It’s a jam packed production. Your main character is Goro, played
flawlessly by Tetsuya Watari. Goro is a gangster who was sent to prison after
stabbing a hitman who just happened to be apart of another gang that are rival’s. This gang is known as Aokis. Out of prison he sees that his gang is falling apart, and the
hitman he tried to kill, just happens to still be alive.
The star is Tetsuya Watari. A fantastic actor that is able
to express a believable reality to his characters. He is one of those actors I
feel never got the house hold name of popularity that he deserved. Watching him
in Gangster VIP and the sequels, one can’t help but become a part of his style,
personality, and over all acting expertise. Started acting in 1965 and continued
to act all the way up to 2013. He also starred in another favorite of mine 1966’s
Tokyo Drifter.
In Gangster VIP 2 Goro is trying to move forward, away from
his darkened past. This one is thick with drama and more character development
then the first one. As before in Gangster VIP, Tetsuya Watari captures the
character in a flawless way through a wonderful dramatic and dark performance. In
the third film Heartless our Anti style hero is at it again in this action
thriller. Heartless I feel is the lessor of the films. Not entirely sure where
I would rank this one in the context of rating chart. Don’t get me wrong it’s
not a bad film and I did thoroughly enjoy all the characters who are fleshed
out in amazing detail. This time around Goro is after Sawada, a gambler who
happens to owe 3 million yen to Goro’s employer, and as you would guess, Goro is
coming to collect. In the 4th movie, Goro the Assassin is about to
be released from prison when his partner in crime Masahiko is dying. On his
death bed he gives Goro one last order to find his sister, and to take care of
her. Out of jail, he decides to follow the mission in finding the sister, but
soon like in all crime thriller reality, Goro finds himself yet again in an
ordeal that only crime, violence can solve. In the 5th instalment
Black Dagger there is a street war happening, two separate gangs are going at
it. And as you would guess it, Goro is smack in the middle. The 6th
and final film in the awesome Gangster VIP series is titled Kill! and came out
in 1969. This time as you would expect, Goro comes to town and yes like in
Gangster VIP reality, he finds himself in the troubles. Goro helps out a young
woman who is being tormented by a group of Yakuza thugs.
The first one was directed by one of the finest Japanese
film directors to ever grace cinema. Toshio Masuda. Masuda who is still alive
as of this writing, created so many wonderful box office winners. I think he is
one of those director's and visionaries that should be expressed and remembered. He
directed the Japanese parts of the classic war film 1970’s Tora! Tora! Tora! Also
the great 1958’s Rusty Knife, just a few I want to mention. Parts 2, 4, 5 and 6
was directed by another fantastic Japanese film director. Keiichi Ozawa. Ozawa
directed another favorite of mine 1971’s The Hunted Samurai. The 3rd
Outlaw VIP Heartless was directed by Mio Ezaki. Another Japanese director that
I feel is worthy to praise and remember. That is what is so great about this series
is the direction is solid, there are a few moments that I could pin point that
doesn’t work, but in the end the conclusion of the series I feel works. The 1st
one is always the better one, but each of other parts, I feel still work.
These are a wonderful collection of Crime thrillers. Each
one I feel has its merit to be remembered. Gangsters and crime has always been
a fascination with movie makers and movie watchers. I think the Outlaw Gangster
series is one those worthy collections to talk about, remember and express to
others. Arrow Video has honored this series with a must own Blu-ray collection.
Audio/Video:
As always flawless example of how to treat a film, or in this case multiple films. Audio is spot on and video is also spot on.
Limited Edition Box Set (3000 copies) containing all six
films in the Outlaw series, available with English subtitles for the first time
on any home video format
High Definition digital transfers of all six films, from
original film elements by Nikkatsu Corporation
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD
presentations
Original uncompressed mono audio
Newly translated English subtitles
Extras:
Arrow Video is a powerful company when it comes to flawless
extras. They always jam pack their productions with wonderful top quality and
Gangster VIP is no different. Not only transferred into a wonderful High
Definition, but also exclusive special features which if you know me, I
absolutely love extras. I am a self-proclaimed film historian, or film fiend
and enjoy anything related to the film I am watching.
Audio commentary on Outlaw: Gangster VIP by Jasper Sharp
Visual essay covering the entire series by Kevin Gilvear
Original trailers for all six films
Extensive promotional image galleries for all six films
Exclusive gatefold packaging featuring brand new artwork by
Tonci Zonjic
Booklet featuring an interview with director Toshio Masuda
by Mark Schilling, plus new writing by Schilling, Chris D and Kevin Gilvear
Overall:
There is such beauty if you will in the products of Arrow
Video. Any movie buff, film guru, movie historian or just plain fan of cinema
can always count on top quality Blu-ray’s packed with excellent imagery and
audio reality. Plus, filled with special features. The packaging is always
fantastic and is an art form in itself. Gangster VIP set is a must own, must
experience beauty of old cinema that is still relevant in today’s reality, and
thankfully because of Arrow Video these films are preserved and brought out for
a new generation.
INFO: