There is a moment in One-PercentWarrior that made this reviewer laugh out loud. It was a throwaway line about the main character action actor/director Takuma Toshiro (Tak Sakaguchi) and his film that was released a decade prior. The laughter came out of the knowingness of writer/director Yûdai Yamaguchi’s script. There’s a razor-sharp understanding of action films and the specific type of film One-Percent Warrior is. Coupled with the truly brilliant premise, One-Percent Warrior is to Action Films what Scream is to Horror.
Everything the film does from its opening doc-style YouTube featurette to the on-set shenanigans to the interactions between fans and star come from a verisimilitude that will make any action laugh and nod. However when the film turns into a take-no-prisoners action film with Toshiro finally getting his chance to prove not only his theories about action but his own mettle against real-life yakuza henchmen who are trying to kill him, the film soars.
Director Yamaguchi and Sakaguchi in collaboration with legendary action choreographer Kensuke Sonomura created an action film of sustained excellence, beauty, and speed … for the love of the action gods, the speed that is a throwback to the style of Bruce Lee, early era Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung. One-Percenter Warrior’s action is so quick, so agile, so furious that one would think it’s aided by CG or editing.
Quickly with sustained takes and framing/blocking of these fights, one sees this is just how quick and accurate of a performer Tak is. Artist or performer is an understatement for star Tak Sakaguchi. The YouTube superstar, recently seen in Bad City as the scene-stealing unstoppable assassin, is all full display here. Building off his deliriously bold work in Crazy Samurai: 400 vs 1, this is Sakaguchi’s thesis statement on the action genre and stars (including himself). There is a gravitas to Tak’s onscreen presence that recalls the best of the action stars of yesteryear. However, it isn’t just the gravitas but his theories, ethics, and approach to the action – doing everything himself that elevates him into the stratosphere of unique action actors working today.
This is not just a repetition of the fight formula for a one-trick performer. The action set pieces are each uniquely onto itself but always with an eye for character and story. The “flashlight” set piece is the highlight of the entire film – set to Claude Debussy’s Clair de Lune makes it all the more unique. In fact, the use of that bit of classic composition gives an unexpected moroseness that takes the film to an emotionally fulfilling ending. In the center of each is Tak nimbly moving through scenes with a commanding presence.
Beyond showing us Tak’s range as an action star, Yamaguchi’s script cleverly gives him space to show his acting chops. It is only at its end do we really see just how clever of a film One-PercentWarrior is.
The Transfer
The transfer provided to Well Go USA is another winner in a long line of winners. The digitally shot film looks crisp and sharp. The handsome image has no issues.
The Final Thought
One-Percent Warrior will only gain more esteem as action fans discover this wonderful piece of mania. Highest possible recommendations!!!
One-Percent Warrior is a brilliant piece of action filmmaking and a showcase for the amazing Tak Sakaguchi. New to Blu-Ray and Streaming from Well Go USA.
THE FILM
There is a moment in One-Percent Warrior that made this reviewer laugh out loud. It was a throwaway line about the main character action actor/director Takuma Toshiro (Tak Sakaguchi) and his film that was released a decade prior. The laughter came out of the knowingness of writer/director Yûdai Yamaguchi’s script. There’s a razor-sharp understanding of action films and the specific type of film One-Percent Warrior is. Coupled with the truly brilliant premise, One-Percent Warrior is to Action Films what Scream is to Horror.
Everything the film does from its opening doc-style YouTube featurette to the on-set shenanigans to the interactions between fans and star come from a verisimilitude that will make any action laugh and nod. However when the film turns into a take-no-prisoners action film with Toshiro finally getting his chance to prove not only his theories about action but his own mettle against real-life yakuza henchmen who are trying to kill him, the film soars.
Director Yamaguchi and Sakaguchi in collaboration with legendary action choreographer Kensuke Sonomura created an action film of sustained excellence, beauty, and speed … for the love of the action gods, the speed that is a throwback to the style of Bruce Lee, early era Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung. One-Percenter Warrior’s action is so quick, so agile, so furious that one would think it’s aided by CG or editing.
Quickly with sustained takes and framing/blocking of these fights, one sees this is just how quick and accurate of a performer Tak is. Artist or performer is an understatement for star Tak Sakaguchi. The YouTube superstar, recently seen in Bad City as the scene-stealing unstoppable assassin, is all full display here. Building off his deliriously bold work in Crazy Samurai: 400 vs 1, this is Sakaguchi’s thesis statement on the action genre and stars (including himself). There is a gravitas to Tak’s onscreen presence that recalls the best of the action stars of yesteryear. However, it isn’t just the gravitas but his theories, ethics, and approach to the action – doing everything himself that elevates him into the stratosphere of unique action actors working today.
This is not just a repetition of the fight formula for a one-trick performer. The action set pieces are each uniquely onto itself but always with an eye for character and story. The “flashlight” set piece is the highlight of the entire film – set to Claude Debussy’s Clair de Lune makes it all the more unique. In fact, the use of that bit of classic composition gives an unexpected moroseness that takes the film to an emotionally fulfilling ending. In the center of each is Tak nimbly moving through scenes with a commanding presence.
Beyond showing us Tak’s range as an action star, Yamaguchi’s script cleverly gives him space to show his acting chops. It is only at its end do we really see just how clever of a film One-Percent Warrior is.
The Transfer
The transfer provided to Well Go USA is another winner in a long line of winners. The digitally shot film looks crisp and sharp. The handsome image has no issues.
The Final Thought
One-Percent Warrior will only gain more esteem as action fans discover this wonderful piece of mania. Highest possible recommendations!!!
One-Percent Warrior is out March 12th on Blu-ray and all streaming platforms
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