Is The Two Headed Dragon 2 Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2017)
Takeda (Mikio Osawa) and Tsurumi (Junichi Kawamoto)—who killed their own boss and Wakagashira and rampaged through rival turf—are taken into the Doryukai of the Kurohime family by Ryutaro Dojima (Yasukaze Motomiya). Meanwhile, Chifumi Iwaguma (Hidekazu Akai) of the Udagawa-gumi arrives from Osaka to meet Hozumi (Seiki Nagahara), and an oath of brotherhood is approved at an executive meeting—without Dojima’s consent. To stop Hozumi’s power play, Takeda and Tsurumi are ordered to assassinate him. Acting on his own impulses, Takeda ignores the plan and storms the ceremony alone, igniting a brutal internal war within the Kurohime family. All stake their lives and ambitions on rising through the underworld—who will have the last laugh: Hozumi, Dojima, Iwaguma… or Takeda?
✨ The Quick Verdict
If you are a fan of Crime, Action cinema, then The Two Headed Dragon 2 offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 2017 landscape.
👥 Target Audience
📔 Detailed Analysis
The Narrative Arc & Core Premise
The Two Headed Dragon 2, a standout production of 2017, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Crime, Action landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Takeda (Mikio Osawa) and Tsurumi (Junichi Kawamoto)—who killed their own boss and Wakagashira and rampaged through rival turf—are taken into the Doryukai of the Kurohime family by Ryutaro Dojima (Yasukaze Motomiya). As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Crime, Action are tested.
The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Takeda (Mikio Osawa) and Tsurumi (Junichi Kawamoto)—who killed their own boss and Wakagashira and rampaged through rival turf—are taken into the Doryukai of the Kurohime family by Ryutaro Dojima (Yasukaze Motomiya). Meanwhile, Chifumi Iwaguma (Hidekazu Akai) of the Udagawa-gumi arrives from Osaka to meet Hozumi (Seiki Nagahara), and an oath of brotherhood is approved at an executive meeting—without Dojima’s consent. To stop Hozumi’s power play, Takeda and Tsurumi are ordered to assassinate him. Acting on his own impulses, Takeda ignores the plan and storms the ceremony alone, igniting a brutal internal war within the Kurohime family. All stake their lives and ambitions on rising through the underworld—who will have the last laugh: Hozumi, Dojima, Iwaguma… or Takeda?"
Artistic Execution & Performance Study
A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. The presence of Yasukaze Motomiya provides a necessary level of professionalism to the production, even when the underlying script struggles to maintain a consistent tone. It is a testament to their skill that they remain the most engaging element of the film.
The direction by Yokoyama Kazuhiro is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 70 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.
Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch
Is The Two Headed Dragon 2 truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Crime, Action, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.
The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.
Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision
At a deeper level, The Two Headed Dragon 2 explores the dichotomy of strength and vulnerability. The 2017 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Yokoyama Kazuhiro respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.
The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.
Final Editorial Recommendation
Ultimately, The Two Headed Dragon 2 is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Yasukaze Motomiya or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, The Two Headed Dragon 2 is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.
⏳ Time Investment
At approximately 1.2 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.