In the first few Sleepy Eyes of Death films, the enigmatic character, Nemuri Kyoshiro. seemed a lot like Zatôichi. Both were nice guys who roamed Japan hoping to help others and right wrongs. However, after a few films, Nemuri seemed much more amoral and unpredictable--helping people sometimes and being amazingly callous and indifferent the next. He also began using sex as a frequent weapon. In this fourth installment, Nemuri is as amoral as ever--and by the end of the film, it seems that no one is particularly good or decent.
The film seems to be set at about the year 1600. During this era, Christians in Japan were being persecuted and crucified by the thousands. Nemuri refuses to help a Christian who appeals to him early in the film. Yet, oddly, later he helps him--making me a tad confused. At the same time, there is a princess who is an opium addicted sadist--taking delight in killing people--particularly pretty ones. Later, there is even a devil cult and a return of the smuggler in episode one. All in all, there are TONS and TONS of story elements, sex (though you see very little) and bad guys with many different masters and agendas. And, since sometimes Nemuri is kind and others a complete jerk, the film was far less satisfying for me. It just seemed like they tossed in everything but the kitchen sink into the film. The only particularly interesting part concerns the devil cult and how it all links to Nemuri.
Overall, the film was just too disjoint and had too much plot to interest me. I really think they had enough plots for two or three films here. To me, the series takes a serious nosedive.
The film seems to be set at about the year 1600. During this era, Christians in Japan were being persecuted and crucified by the thousands. Nemuri refuses to help a Christian who appeals to him early in the film. Yet, oddly, later he helps him--making me a tad confused. At the same time, there is a princess who is an opium addicted sadist--taking delight in killing people--particularly pretty ones. Later, there is even a devil cult and a return of the smuggler in episode one. All in all, there are TONS and TONS of story elements, sex (though you see very little) and bad guys with many different masters and agendas. And, since sometimes Nemuri is kind and others a complete jerk, the film was far less satisfying for me. It just seemed like they tossed in everything but the kitchen sink into the film. The only particularly interesting part concerns the devil cult and how it all links to Nemuri.
Overall, the film was just too disjoint and had too much plot to interest me. I really think they had enough plots for two or three films here. To me, the series takes a serious nosedive.