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I love this movie so much

Perfect cast and a good story

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

I don't think i've ever seen a movie so guaranteed to confuse, befuddle, but still enthrall. I won't even begin to summarise the plot, because I'm still trying to work out what it is. But ultimately, the plot is irrelevant as this is a pure exercise in style - and what style! Its full of dazzling images (and some that probably should have been cut out), most owing more to opera and noh theater than the cinema. Its overlong and self indulgent, and constantly teether's at the edge of pretentiousness. But its worth seeing for the sheer daring of Suzuki who throws out all the rules of film making while still showing a deep love of the art.

I first saw the preview for Pistol Opera on several Japanese DVDs I had the pleasure of viewing. It was the vivid imagery that captured my attention not to mention a very attractive leading lady. Now what followed was an amazing journey through the world of Stray Cat, a hired gun with a love for her pistol, engaged (reluctantly at first)in a competition to be #1 among the top gunslingers. Simple enough, right? WRONG!!!! What follows is a film that keeps your fingers on the rewind button, your mouth wide open and your eyes ready to bug out of your skull. A simple skeleton of a plot is covered with layers of sexuality (subtle, and in your face), violence, and just a whole bunch of WTF (WT is for "What The" you can figure the rest out) moments. I enjoyed it in the same way that we all have our guilty pleasures, but I will admit that some of the scenes and displays may go beyond past limits you may have set for yourself. Viewer Discretion is ADVISED!!

Director Seijun Suzuki is one of the Japanese pulp directors that was a huge influence on Tarentino. So, film students take note! Viewing Suzuki's films you'll see its influence on "Pulp Fiction" and "Kill Bill". Suzuki is best known for his film "Branded to Kill" "Pistol Opera" is the sequel made almost 34 years after "Branded to Kill". This time the story concerns a female assassin, Stray Cat. Stray Cat longs to move up the ladder in the criminal underworld since she is number 3. She has to kill her opponents including 100 eyes, in order to take his place and be the number 1 assassin. What makes the film interesting is the fact that among all the shootouts and stabbings, there is not one drop of blood. The film becomes a highly surreal head trip, chock full of bright visual eye candy. The film's last 15 minute showdown becomes so bizarre, it almost reminded me of Jodorowsky's "The Holy Mountain"(1973). At times "Pistol Opera" moves very slow, like a live action play. But it still was very entertaining! If your a fan of directors such as Quinten Tarantino, John Woo, Tekashi Miike and Alejandro Jodorowsky; you should check out this film.

This movie was a major disappointment. After a decade of retirement, director Seijun Suzuki returns with a "reworking" of his Branded to Kill. He's definitely either lost his touch or was overly influenced by others to push the envelope further on his abstract style.Too many times people try to hide rubbish behind the titles of "abstract" and "artistic style". That won't work here. Suzuki's camera work, settings and editing seem decidedly rusty. The zooms and tilts are awkward. The visuals seem forced, which is a fatal flaw for abstract.So yes, Suzuki retains his abstract style. He just doesn't execute it very well. Maybe he was away from the camera too long. Please see some of his earlier works for clearly superior filmmaking.Adding to the misery is atrocious acting. It takes skill to pull off the detached, unfocused sense of drama required for abstract. So here, more than ever, you need actors with this particular ability. Makiko Esumi is not one. I enjoyed her TV series (one of which single-handedly brought the mini-mini skirt to the forefront in Japan) but she is hopelessly out of her league here. She wouldn't have had the skill to bring Noraneko ("Stray Cat") to life in a well-executed rendition, much less salvage Suzuki's mess here.The rest of the cast, some of who are very skilled in their craft, act just as woodenly. So too much blame should not be cast at Esumi.So, from mind-numbingly boring "death scenes" to borderline pedophilia, this movie is almost certain to disappoint. Unless you are simply determined to be "cool" and decide to chalk all the shortcomings up to "abstract style", stay well away from Pistol Opera.I've never given a zero, and won't start here. I give one point for how good Esumi looked in her modified kimono and boots. I give another for Suzuki sticking with the style all the way through the (far too long) movie, when even he must have realized how badly it was failing.2 out of 10.