Andy Steel To say this film is bizarre is to put it extremely mildly; in places, it's down-right bonkers! However, I did find it strangely compelling, if a little difficult to follow here and there. I'm usually pretty good at following foreign language films; even those with subtitles, but this one just lost me a couple of times. At times it was very violent and it could be also very comic; touching drama and even horrific; it seems to touch many genres. There were some excellent special effects; all practical effects as far as I could see; and some of these were truly stunning (particularly one near the end). Over all though, I did find it a tad over long and a little frustrating to follow (too many metaphors, maybe?). Even so, I will deem it 'recommended' for its' innovative effects and some compelling (if confusing) story telling.SteelMonster's verdict: RECOMMENDEDMy score: 5.8/10.You can find an expanded version of this review on my blog: Thoughts of a SteelMonster.

justrome0 There are a number of weird blog writers I'm following, that are a lot more funny, can be even weirder, and many stories there (written in less than a day) have a better plot. A movie could, of course, add a lot of visual candy to go along with all that, but this movie sadly, does not. Most of the visuals were so poor that I could just amuse myself at the failed attempt. I understand not all movies have the budget, but in my opinion this genre needs it. I'm starting to believe that people reviewing movies are so bored of mainstream that they would just rate anything else. I've seen a lot of Asian movies and there are some masterpieces but that will never make me say that Asian movies are good, every movie needs to hold it's own.This is my first review, but I was so disappointed after finally realizing this is not at all a good movie but only slightly enjoyable at times. It might still be worth to watch to fans of the genre but if you're not into weird and dreamy atmosphere you should avoid this one.

Ellen I can't believe how many people gave this film a rating of 7+. I've been referring to IMDb for films to watch for several years now, and this is the first time that I've been so disappointed because of the number of good reviews for this film. Do not just rely on the good reviews, they're so misleading (I should have learned this a lesson a long time ago).Maybe I should have watched an earlier film from the same director, but this one is so awful plain plain awful! Note that I do enjoy watching weird films but this film is just awful (I'll use this word again and again mind you). I agree with the comment of the other reviewer who said that this film could have been squeezed into 30 mins, but no, I had to endure longer than that. The movie dragged on and there were too many unnecessary scenes and lines that are just so annoying!There should be another category in IMDb for weird films, and this should be on top. If you decide to watch this, then let me tell you that you'll just waste your time. I won't recommend this film to anyone!

Jacques98 The reason black comedy really isn't funny anymore is because all modern black comedies just repeat the same jokes. Though Gozu isn't going to have you laughing on your first viewing, it definitely will have you laughing in shock when you look back post-viewing, after everything comes together. Gozu isn't really hard to understand, it isn't complex, but it certainly isn't forgettable. If anything, it's set up a lot like a sick version of The Wizard of Oz: a straight path, with the lead character meeting eccentric secondary characters that help him along until he reaches the final solution to his problem. While this seems simplistic, it's impossible to not notice Takashi Miike's stunning originality throughout. While most Asian horror is riddled with cliché ghosts and evil mothers, Takashi Miike proves here that he is not only the most original Asian director out there, but one of the most original directors working in the industry today. And I think Gozu may be his masterwork.I'm personally sick of movies that claim to be a mind trip, filled with "weird" ideas that turn out to be nothing but cliché mentions of time travel and every other genetic idea. I could list names of these films—Donnie Darko, 12 Monkeys, etc.—but the point is, weird isn't weird anymore in modern cinema. If you were been born and raised on The Twilight Zone like I was, all these movies are as generic as average spy thrillers. Gozu, however, may be one few films to come out post-2000 that I can honestly call weird. And, believe me, that is a good thing. Instead of rehashing tired clichés, Gozu brings the viewer to placed they've never even thought of before. The opening instructs the viewer not to "take anything seriously—it's all a joke", and the punch line has to be one of the most bazaar endings in cinema history. It's terrifying and genuinely grotesque, as well as hilarious. Everything in this movie is stuff writers/directors would sit around and joke about, but never, EVER, have the balls to actually film. That's what makes the story behind Gozu so refreshing and truly original. I can't believe I'm actually writing that final line in a review.Miike's directing is stylish, as always. He knows how to set up a scene and inflict a terrifying mood. The entire film takes itself so deadpan seriously, and though that would usually be a fatal blow to most movies, Miike makes it work here. Somehow. Whenever a major plot point happens, it's done so flawlessly it's impossible not to be immersed in the moment.So why didn't I give Gozu a perfect score? Because as much as I loved it, the movie needed to be shortened. Do not get me wrong: I love Miike's slow dialogue as much as I love his balls-to-the-wall action, but here it gets a little overbearing. Characters sit and stare at things without any purpose, and while it works, it's just not entertaining at all. The movie could have been shortened by at least 20 minutes, and if it had been, it would have been near perfection. Also, a few scenes became very repetitious and even mildly annoying. What I mean to say is, although the story is amazing, Gozu lacks a lot of entertainment value.Overall, though, despite its flaws, Gozu is not forgettable. It's hard for me to remember a time when I would pop in a DVD and actually remember what I watched by the next morning. In a world of cheap carbon copies plots and cheesy horror elements, Gozu seems almost like perfection, even though it really isn't. But I have no room to complain. I'd take this over another black-haired-ghost-girl-evil-mother-terrorist-time-travel movie ANY DAY.7/10