Shield of Straw

2013 [JAPANESE]

Action / Crime / Drama / Thriller

8
IMDb Rating 6.2/10 10 2818 2.8K

killer psycho killer murder suspect security police bounty sp

Plot summary

Ninagawa is a powerful man in Japanese politics and with top economic connections.His granddaughter is then murdered. The suspect is Kunihide Kiyomaru. Kunihide Kiyomaru has a prior conviction for assaulting and killing a girl 8 years ago. The police could never apprehend the suspect in the prior killing.

Director

Takashi Miike Photo
Takashi Miike

Top cast

Masahiro Sudô Photo
Masahiro Sudô as (as Masahiro Sudo)
Kenji Kawahara Photo
Kenji Kawahara
Kento Nagayama Photo
Kento Nagayama as Masaki Kamihashi
Kazuya Takahashi Photo
Kazuya Takahashi
720p.BluRay 1080p.BluRay
1.13 GB
1280*534
Japanese 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
2 hr 5 min
Seeds ...
2.31 GB
1920*802
Japanese 5.1
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
2 hr 5 min
Seeds 1

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by TheFilmGuy1 7 / 10

More Mainstream Miike, But None The Less Enjoyable

Comparing this film to some of Miike's other films (such as Ichi The Killer or Fudoh), you can tell he's going for a more mainstream style here. The film revolves around a team of police officers (or Security Police as they're referenced as) who are tasked with the job of protecting a murder with a one billion Yen bounty on his head. I loved this concept (which is reminiscent of S.W.A.T's storyline) and it got me invested in the story. The idea of all of Japan having their eyes on one man was extremely interesting and gave major tension to the film. You never knew who was going to try to claim that bounty and at what time. I did have some gripes with the film, such as Nanako Matsushima's character constantly threatening Kiyomaru and then suddenly saying she was testing them, but overall I had a fun time with this. Don't go into the film expecting Miikes' usual bloody and twisted style, but instead a more mainstream and entertaining film with a little bit of thought to it.
Reviewed by alshwenbear1 5 / 10

A Japanese movie that you have to see

Even though the premise is kind of the same as "S.W.A.T. (2003)" and after watching the final scene of "Drug War" (2012) from China, where I felt that I wasted my time and was cheated; "Shield of Straw" was different. First, it will get the best of your curiosity, then it will become absorbent of your own feelings and moral values. And If you become so involved with the movie (as I do sometimes), you may be wanting to kill "Kiyomaru" even if you don't get the billion, let's make three billion (if the subtitles where accurate). And here is where I see one of the flaws, because we know that one way or another "Kiyomaru" won't live to enjoy his psychotic killer instinct toward innocent lives.A movie critic argued that the billionaire "Ninagawa", "should have been arrested straight away", but that would have been more unsatisfactory than the convoluted ending; besides let's not forget that the money was spinning heads left and right! Cops from all levels were involved, mobs, bystanders, and anyone willing to help in murdering the bad guy.The movie certainly has plot holes but it doesn't intend in any way to be remembered for being smart, and if you disregard logic a little bit, it will get your attention for its acting and pace and because it has the elements that "S.W.A.T" never had even with the frenetic shootings, explosions, and car chases.I understand that opinions will be divided, and I don't believe that anyone will come with the perfect way to end this film, because irony is just a big part of it.Overall,this Japanese film delivers and entertains and I would certainly recommend it, after that is up to you to hate or like my opinion or the film.
Read more IMDb reviews

1 Comments

Be the first to leave a comment