TheFilmGuy1 This is certainly a Kitano film, through and through. Art, long takes, close ups, silent characters, sudden violence, and wacky humour. It's all here. I have seen many say that Hana-bi is Kitanos best film, but I would probably disagree and say Sonatine is. I feel that the films are quite similar, but Sonatine just does it better. That's not to say that Hana-bi isn't a great movie. Kitano plays a very similar character to his other films. A silent and violent cop who retires from the force due to a certain incident and the fact that his wife is sick. He plays the character well and you certainly feel the pain he is experiencing. What I found slightly strange about the film was the side plot of the partner who was injured and starts to paint to keep himself busy. We keep cutting back to this story, and I couldn't quite place the significance. Looking at it from a very basic point of view, it does nothing to help the plot. Obviously it has a deeper meaning to it, but I can't quite understand it myself. I think I would need to analyse the film more. I almost feel like it may be some kind of personal statement by Kitano. He was involved in a car crash in real life and began to paint after it. Perhaps parts of this film, if not all, is about Kitanos accident and the feelings he had after having a near death experience. That would explain a lot. I feel overall, Sonatine does a better job of doing what Hana-bi tries to do. Sonatine has similar themes, but displays those theme more clearly and concisely, while Hana-bi is much more up to your own interpretation at times. Also, the humour in Sonatine works perfectly, while it feels out of place many times in Hana-bi. That's not to say the humour isn't funny. I actually found it extremely funny (especially a scene involving a camera on a timer), but it just felt quite out of place at times. In the end, Hana-bi feels like a lesser version of Sonatine. Even though Hana-bi came after, I just found myself thinking "Sonatine did it better". I got goosebumps from Sonatine, but not Hana-bi. But I think it might be a matter of opinion, and I think this is a great film that should be seen.

J R Takeshi Kintano's visual masterpiece is nothing less than brilliant, blending a mixture of great editing, fantastic cinematography, a stunning visuals. Backed with the always great music of Joe Hisaishi who created my favourite soundtrack of all time for the film "Sonatine" (1993). Beat Takeshi take the lead play an ex-cop who wants to support his dying wife and give her a happy last memory. Takeshi plays the part more sensitively than his previous roles; throw in some great story telling and scenes full of the directors own paintings which themselves create a better understanding of the scenes, and you've got a genuine masterpiece. Some people may find the violence (which there's not too much of) a little too much for them but the ballet of colour and visuals should quell that.

sky dog Detective Nishi is a deeply troubled man; his partner Horibe has been left paralyzed from the waist down after a botched stake-out, while his own wife Miyuki is diagnosed as having terminal cancer. Nishi resigns from the force and resolves to take Miyuki on a second honeymoon before her death. But the gangster loan sharks are soon on his tail.I can understand good things of this film. However,Hana-bi is received excessive estimation, this is not interesting for me at all. the theme is love of pair and friendship. it is not described deeply. I don't like the screen because it is always dim. There are funny scene for a change.But I love the music! the music is made by Jyou Hisaishi who is my favorite songwriter.

bruno-ferreira382 Hana-bi is visual poetry, it says so much without using words.it is brilliantly directed because the movie delivers such an intense mood,the music by joe hisaishi also plays an important role in this moody film.But what it really makes the movie so profound and moving it's minimalist style, all the characters in the movie show very little emotion and yet takeshi kitano makes the film so touching by only showing the sea, the sky,the flowers, the paintings,along with joe hisaishi music.the true power of the film is that it doesn't say very much in terms of speaking,but it says a lot with its stunning images and music.I recommend this to all who want see an introspective,profound and thought provoking film.