Customer Reviews

Imprint - Takashi Miike

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Having viewed the entire "Masters of Horror" series, I was curious to see this episode that was "Banned From Cable Broadcast." It seems pretty silly in this day and age that something is "banned" from pay TV, and it's not as if Takeshi Miike doesn't have his films shown over here! But, OK, whatever. Miike is a colorful director who specialize in squeamish, sometimes graphic, torture horror. Probably his biggest film stateside is "Audition" which is certainly noteworthy, but my personal favorite is the bizarre musical "Happiness of the Katakuris" (currently out of print, but worth locating if you like absurd comedy).

So on to "Imprint." I'm pleased to say that "Imprint" is actually one of the stronger entries in the series. And seeing how dismal the first couple of episodes in season 2 are (it is currently broadcasting), I'm disappointed this wasn't made available. As the story begins, we're traveling down a river of death to an island of demons and prostitutes--and I was scared this episode would rapidly devolve into supernatural mumbo jumbo. It settles, however, into a two character drama with one of the disfigured prostitutes relating the story of the visitor's lost love. It's a fascinating tale that continues to evolve the more the guest presses for the truth. And the revelations are satisfying, if bizarre. I enjoyed this lurid tale very much.

Along the way, we get torture and plenty of abortions--and I suppose that is the controversial nature of this film (the abortions, I mean--violence is never controversial). No one, however, watching "Masters of Horror" would be the least bit put out by these scenes. If you are expecting something you've never seen before--there's nothing in "Imprint" that going to particularly shock you. But that said, it is definitely an accomplished and disturbing tale worth taking a look at. KGHarris, 11/06.