Al's Top 100 Most Favorite Asian Films Part 5

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

20: High and Low (Heaven and Hell) (Tengoku to Jigoku)

Japan

Pretty simple set-up here: it’s the story of a rich man’s son getting kidnapped, and he’s trying so hard to pay up the ransom, even at the expense of his business. Meanwhile, the actual kidnappers are poor men struggling so hard to rise above the muck of their sleazy surroundings. Thus emerges the point of this affair: it’s a film that thoroughly explores the heights and depths of civilization. With a cool cinematic style and superb acting, the film is as thrilling as it is interesting.

Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Perfect | Resonance: High

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19: Ghost in the Shell (Kokaku Kidotai)

Japan

This movie is essential cyberpunk. In fact, The Matrix was made by the Watchowskis with the idea in mind to make a live-action Ghost in the Shell; it’s that influential. GITS is a pretty weird, slow, brooding, and confusing thing to watch, but it gets better with more viewings and more introspection. If nothing else, it is darn cool to watch Motoko and the other guys beating the snot out of bad guys with high-tech gear and cybernetic bodies. The climax includes an epic scene in which the protagonist practically destroys her body to try and take down a tank. However, it’s the story that counts: it plays out a little like Blade Runner, but there’s always a spiritual overtone that hints at deeper philosophies and themes. It’s visually awesome and invokes a lot of thought, even if the story takes some getting used to. The GITS TV series is a funner and easier thing to watch, but the movie is a deeper and more invoking experience.

Entertainment: Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High

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18: Memories of Murder (Salinui Chueok)

South Korea

Watching this film is a bit like watching Zodiac; both involve the systematic hunting of serial killers, who are ultimately never caught. Memories of Murder is a pretty dark and moody film, with its share of suspense and thrills. It even has some funny parts at times (although such comedy doesn’t really work). Above all, it’s a stylish film with interesting characters and interesting mysteries, and it’ll keep you guessing, even after the movie ends.

Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Very High

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17: Evangelion 1.11: You Are (Not) Alone (Evangerion Shin Gekijôban: Jo)

Japan

The 90s anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of the best and most popular shows of all time, without exaggeration. In recent years, however, the series has been rebooted, as a series of films. The first Eva film pretty much covers the exact same content as the first five episodes of the original show, with just a few subtle changes. It’s still an awesome thing to behold, especially with updated animation graphics. With gargantuan angels tromping all over Tokyo3, crushing buildings and laying waste to entire armies, the mass destruction is really incredible. Above all, the emotional tension runs high, thanks to diligent attention to strong characterizations. Whether you’re a fan or not, Eva 1.11 is a strong start to a strong series.

Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance:  Highest 

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16: Evangelion 2.22: You Can (Not) Advance (Evangerion Shin Gekijôban: Ha)

Japan

Following Eva 1.11, this sequel suddenly veers off into strange and exciting new directions, and it is really thrilling and intense stuff. With old and new characters thrown into the mix, the tension continues to run high, and the mass destruction continues to be a chilling sight. There’s still strong attention to developing the characters, the concepts, and the environment they thrive in. By the film’s end, the stakes are driven up so high, it really looks like the world could come to an end at any moment, and it’s a very intense experience.

Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High

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15: Neon Genesis Evangelion: End of Evangelion (Shin seiki Evangelion Gekijô-ban: Air/Magokoro wo, kimi ni)

Japan

This one has nothing to do with the last two entries; this is strictly a follow-up from the original 90s TV series. And it was necessary: the original show’s ending sucked! The last two episodes ended in such an odd place; it was basically nothing but dialogue and weird imagery, nothing but random narrative and psychobabble. Even the show’s makers were disappointed, so they released this movie.

Make no mistake, this is the perfect ending to Neon Genesis Evangelion. Not only does it round off the characters and concepts that were left hanging in the series, but it actually presents the apocalypse just as it was always meant to happen. Other sci-fi films may have a meteor hitting the Earth or an alien invasion or something, but with Eva and all its spiritual overtones, this is as close to a realistic portrayal of the rapture as we’ll probably ever see on film. Angels descend on the Earth, devouring the Evangelion units, and ultimately melt every single human being on the planet and consolidate their souls into one giant mass. It’s a sight that’s simultaneously scary and enlightening, just as it should be. It gets really strange and surreal at times, but it’s an experience unlike any other.

Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good | Film: Good | Resonance: Highest 

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14: Harakiri

Japan

Harakiri, also known as Seppuku, is that ritual suicide that samurai may engage in if they fail their masters. This film starts off with the simple premise of a ronin walking into a feudal court to commit suicide, but as the characters exchange stories, it becomes a nested narrative that reveals the background of all the parties involved, and it turns out that things aren’t what they seem. It’s an ingenious narrative device at work here, with a compelling plot that emerges. The actual Harakiri scenes are pretty agonizing to watch, and the ultimate climax is awesomely bloody. As a story and a film, Harakiri is awesome, even if it is old.

Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Very High

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13: A Bittersweet Life (Dalkomhan Insaeng)

South Korea

There are not many words spoken in this film, but it’s something that really holds you and makes its plot clear with a strong basis in the characters and their interactions. The film focuses on a single man, lonely, immaculate, and he’s good at what he does. Faced with betrayal and peril, he is forced to fight for his life, and ultimately vengeance, and what follows is a bloody and hard-edged rampage. As the title suggests, it’s a bittersweet experience to watch such a character rise and fall. It’s made all the more bittersweet with its poetic composition and perfect performances.

Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Very High

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12: I Saw the Devil (Akmareul Boatda)

South Korea

This wicked film pits a killer against a killer in a constant and vicious game of cat-and-mouse. There aren’t heroes to root for in this film, as there are two villains, one driven by evil and the other by vengeance. What makes it watchable is the suspense in seeing how far each character will go, and how wicked they become.

Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Very High

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11: Ip Man (Yip Man)

China

Ip Man was the grandmaster who trained the legendary Bruce Lee. In the first semi-autobiographical film, the Ip Man’s origins are traced back to the WWII era. The film follows the man’s dignified position prior to the war, before showing the compelling struggle he staged to contend with the Japanese oppressors who invaded his town and took away his wealth. It’s very compelling to watch the Ip Man stand up to oppression and lead a resistance. But of course, it’s the fighting that takes the spotlight, and it is really awesome stuff. In one stunning scene, the Ip Man beats down ten men in a single fight. With a top-notch production value, and an iconic performance from Donnie Yen, Ip Man has become one of my favorite martial arts movies of all time.

Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: High

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10: Spirited Away (Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi)

Japan

Once again, Hayao Miyazaki delivers something so imaginative and cute that it’s hard to turn away. In this case, he pits a little girl against ghosts, witches, and funny little critters. As charming as these encounters are, some of the film’s funniest and most endearing moments are in watching the main character learning her way around the bathhouse and earning the trust of everyone around her. Such pure-hearted morality not only liberates the characters in the end, but also provides a strong moral message that kids and adults could learn from.

Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High

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09: Hero (Ying Xiong)

China

While many wuxia films shoot for a certain elegance in their shooting and their fight scene choreography, Hero still contains some of the most beautiful fight scenes I’ve ever seen. Characters float freely in the air, gliding smoothly across crystal-clear lakes, or across fields of leaves. Even in the desolate deserts, the characters float around with long red robes and knock away entire waves of arrows from the sky. As cool as these scenes are, the film still maintains a steady focus on its story, which offers an intriguing nested narrative somewhat inspired by Rashomon. The film strikes a strong emotional tone at times, giving the fantastic visuals even more weight. With distinctive color schemes and earnest acting, Hero ranks as my favorite wuxia film.

Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Good | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High

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08: Laputa: Castle in the Sky (Tenku no Shiro Rapyuta)

Japan

This other Miyazaki film still has plenty of cuteness and charm to it, but also heaps on a ton more action, thrills, and adventure. It’s a load of fun to watch these fleets of airships blasting each other away in the skies. The chases are staged with a suspenseful and comedic edge. Above all, the film explores a fantastic world with a fully fleshed-out mythology, dealing with awesome lost cities, extinct civilizations, and powerful ancient robots. How cool is that?

Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Very High

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07: The Ninja Scroll (Jûbê Ninpûchô)

Japan

In Japanese mythology, Yagyū Jūbei Mitsuyoshi was an unparalleled ninja warrior (with only one eye, nonetheless). So little is known about the man, it leaves the doors wide open for a wealth of rich legends surrounding this figure. In this anime film, Jubei Kibagami, inspired by Jubei Yagyu, appears as a total badass, slicing and dicing bad guys and demons at every corner (eight demons, to be exact: the Eight Devils of Kimon, who are all really weird and distinctive baddies). This film holds nothing back, and actually has a pretty wicked reputation for its relentless bloodshed and scary sexuality. The first twenty minutes are particularly gnarly. At its core though, the film gives us lovable main characters, bad guys we love to hate, all kinds of pulpy action, and a decent mystery story to give the constant fighting some structure. This film is a major gateway drug for anime fans wanting to get into the more hardcore adult-rated features, and it remains one of the most mature features I’ve seen.

Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High

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06: City of Life and Death (Nanjing! Nanjing!)

China

Most of us may be familiar with the atrocities of Germany during WWII, but how many of us are aware of the atrocities of Japan? In December of 1937, the Japanese captured the city of Nanking; thousands were murdered relentlessly, and thousands more were raped by the invading soldiers. From eyewitness accounts and historical documents, the film City of Life and Death was composed to dramatize these tragic events, in a manner just as powerful and skillful as Schindler’s List. The film doesn’t hold back on showcasing the misery dispensed to the citizens and soldiers defending Nanking, but at the same time, the film is never distasteful about it. The film features real-looking characters, portrayed with a perfect cast, set in a very real-looking location, and shot with top-notch photography. If you haven’t seen this film, you should.

Experience: Very Good | Story: Perfect | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Highest

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05: Love Exposure (Ai no Mukidashi)

Japan

Of all the wildest and craziest movies coming out of Japan, none can be any more epic than this. Love Exposure runs for four hours. And yet, it never once feels long, or bloated, or anything; it uses every single minute of its long runtime to tell a story so strange and complex, it’s ingenious. It’s a story that somehow weaves cultism, family values, upskirt photography, kung-fu, lesbianism, perversity, and high-school romance into a tight and seamless package. The film spends a good amount of time making us care for the characters, which is probably the key component that gives method to this madness. With several different narrative strings running, you’d think this film would be hard to follow. However, the film entwines each strand so effectively, it creates a finely-produced braid of cinematic storytelling.

Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Perfect | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Highest 

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04: Akira

Japan

Widely considered one of the major progenitors of anime as we know it, Akira is a big dystopian sci-fi adventure with loads of action and loads of pulp. The film starts with a huge explosion, looking like a nuclear bomb. From then on, motorcycle gangs wreak havoc across NeoTokyo, bloody shootouts break out, characters develop psychic powers and destroy entire city blocks, and gargantuan mutations threaten to engulf all of humanity. The film is cool and exciting. The plot is really dense and full, pulsating with politics and ideas, in addition to building adequate characters. For the longest time, I considered this my favorite anime film; if nothing else, it’s near-perfect science fiction, and for many anime fans, it’s been a major gateway drug.

Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Perfect | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Highest

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03: Red Cliff (Chi Bi)

China

John Woo brings the historic battle of Red Cliff to life on the big screen. For its full-length International Cut, spread across two parts, this feature runs for five hours. And yet, it rarely drags. The film has style, a fine cast of characters, and an intriguing story that’ll keep you glued. When the action hits, it’s pretty darn cool. Some of the biggest highlights include a fantastic battle scene where all the soldiers use their shields to form a labyrinth, trapping their enemies inside. In another scene, characters use boats laden with hay to bait the enemy into firing their arrows at them; once pelted with hundreds of arrows, they sail away with more ammunition. The endgame ultimately involves calculating the wind and weather for the careful application of fire. As you can surmise, tactics play a lot into these battles; they’re thoughtful and composed really well on film. For its sublime combination of action, strategy, style, and storytelling, Red Cliff ranks as a personal favorite among historical epics.

Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Perfect | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Highest

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02: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (Kaze no Tani no Naushika)

Japan

Hayao Miyazaki’s epic sci-fi/fantasy film from 1984 comes pretty close to being my favorite anime film; between this and Akira, I can’t tell which one I like better. For all intents and purposes, I pushed Nausicaä ahead, because it has a lot of heart that Akira doesn’t have (if anything, Akira can be rather hateful, as characters scream each others' names incessantly and try to rip each other apart). With Nausicaä, Miyazaki keeps a firm focus on key themes of warfare and the environment, providing a dire warning about the human race if we keep acting senselessly about things. The character Nausicaä represents a certain sensibility, and one can’t help but to relate to her as she reacts to everybody’s senseless actions and uses all her skills to try and quell the hatred all around her. This incredible story occurs in a fantastic world overrun with toxic jungles, mutant bugs, and steampunk kingdoms in a distant future. It’s a sobering and bleak portrayal at times, but with enough emotion and heart to make it universally appealing.

Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Perfect | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Highest

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01: Seven Samurai (Shichinin no Samurai)

Japan

The story is so simple; chances are that you’ve seen it done before. And yet, Akira Kurosawa makes the most of this timeless plot, going so far as to stretching the film out for over three hours to tell it. It’s the simple tale of a village being exploited by bandits, and the villagers go on to hire samurai to protect themselves. The film takes its time to assemble the seven samurai, each one a unique character with their own strengths and weaknesses. When the action hits, it’s pretty straightforward, but still well-executed and well-shot, with a strong basis in tactics and realism. With loads of swordfights and battles, there is definitely action to be had.

Even though this story is pretty simple and straightforward, it’s a fundamental set-up that could apply to any other era in history, such as the French Revolution, the American Revolution, resistance fighters during WWII; any instance where a population rose up against tyranny. What makes Seven Samurai so unique is that the samurai themselves are a social class all of their own, with their own set of rules and codes. The film dishes out some fascinating drama as the samurai clash with the peasants they’re sworn to protect; Toshiro Mifune’s speech in the middle of the film is a compelling testimony to the social issues at play beneath the story’s deceptively-simple surface.

Kurosawa framed and composed this film perfectly, with excellent and artistic photography. All of the actors are great with their roles, the writing is decent, and the production uses the best out of its given settings, costumes, and props.

This film has been so renowned and influential, you’ve probably seen it before without realizing it. This movie was effectively remade into The Magnificent Seven, swapping out feudal Japan with the wild west. Later, the story was re-adapted into Samurai 7, a type of fantasy/sci-fi anime version with robots and airships and all kinds of cool stuff. One episode of Firefly bore much in common with this film. Pixar adapted the story into A Bug’s Life. Heck, you could even argue that Marvel's Avengers used this same plot.  Ultimately, the original remains a perfectly-made classic. For its perfect marriage of entertainment, storytelling, and cinematography, it comes out on top as my personal favorite Asian film.

Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Perfect | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Highest