Is The Wild Ones: The Unorthodox Yakuza Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2017)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

The Wild Ones: The Unorthodox Yakuza, a standout production of 2017, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Action, Crime landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Asamura Kitaro (Ozawa Kazuyoshi), a young assistant head of the Toyukai, is known in Kabukicho as the one-eyed Kitaro, and is feared as a mad dog that will not stop once he loses his temper. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Action, Crime 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: "Asamura Kitaro (Ozawa Kazuyoshi), a young assistant head of the Toyukai, is known in Kabukicho as the one-eyed Kitaro, and is feared as a mad dog that will not stop once he loses his temper. Asamura is strong in fighting but not in making money, and together with his brother Matsuo, he forcibly takes on the business of the rival Nishinaga clan. The Nishinaga clan tries to take Asamura's sister, Yuna, a singer, hostage, but Asamura retaliates against them and kills many members of the clan. When Asamura is arrested for murder, his timing is so good that he begins to suspect a connection between the police and Nishinaga-gumi."

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. Kazuyoshi Ozawa does an admirable job with the material provided, but one can't help but feel that a more daring directorial approach would have yielded a more impactful result. It is a competent but ultimately standard genre performance.

The direction by Shin Hamamizu 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 79 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 Wild Ones: The Unorthodox Yakuza 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 Action, Crime, 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 Wild Ones: The Unorthodox Yakuza explores the dichotomy of strength and vulnerability. The 2017 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Shin Hamamizu 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 Wild Ones: The Unorthodox Yakuza 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 Kazuyoshi Ozawa or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, The Wild Ones: The Unorthodox Yakuza is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.