The Sonny Chiba Thread

[The Reaper Man@Cult Labs]

I've had the first two for ages mate,only recently got the last one....

I've started on YAKUZA DEKA now......
But from what I've seen so far,I don't think it's gonna match THE STREET FIGHTER series.....

Any other of his movies you guys can recommend?

[The Reaper Man@Cult Labs]

I've now watched THE KILLING MACHINE.Another Chiba classic.

[Pete]

Aside from Kill Bill i'm yet to see a Sonny Chiba movie!

[DeadAlive]

Originally Posted by reaper72

I've now watched THE KILLING MACHINE.Another Chiba classic.

That's may fav Chiba film.

[Splatterdragon73]

I've got a few Chiba collections but have yet to get the time to check 'em out.
But they certainly sound the business.

I know The Bullet Train is supposedly only so-so, The Killing Machine looks well worth watching judging by the film's trailer and i believe there's another version of Virus included as part of 'The Sonny Chiba Action Pack' with TBT and Golgo 13.

I think i'll be sticking with Optimum's U.K. editions of TKM, G13, Yakuza Deka and Yakuza Deka:The Assassin. The company did a great job with The Streetfighter trilogy but i was never too impressed with G.I. Samurai.

[The Reaper Man@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by loops

Aside from Kill Bill i'm yet to see a Sonny Chiba movie!

You need to get some Loops.THE STREET FIGHTER trilogy is probably the best place to start.

[The Reaper Man@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Splatterdragon73

I've got a few Chiba collections but have yet to get the time to check 'em out.
But they certainly sound the business.

I know The Bullet Train is supposedly only so-so, The Killing Machine looks well worth watching judging by the film's trailer and i believe there's another version of Virus included as part of 'The Sonny Chiba Action Pack' with TBT and Golgo 13.

I think i'll be sticking with Optimum's U.K. editions of TKM, G13, Yakuza Deka and Yakuza Deka:The Assassin. The company did a great job with The Streetfighter trilogy but i was never too impressed with G.I. Samurai.

Optimum's transfer on all his films are sterling jobs mate.
Bullet Train is the only one I've watched so far,which has been so-so.

[Splatterdragon73]

I think the problem with TBT is that people expect Chiba to be the man of action in the film but judging from the reviews i've read he plays something of a supporting role as the train driver struggling to maintain his speed. So we aren't getting the ball rippin', eye pokin', teeth bashin' and brain smashin' tough guy we get in The Streetfighter trilogy.

I think if potential viewers approach TBT with an open mind and lose any image of Chiba dominating the movie then it may be a more enjoyable and less disappointing experience.
When i get around to watching TBT that's the frame of mind i'll be in so hopefully it won't be a complete letdown.

Where The Streefighter series is concerned no doubt the first film is by far the best but the sequels also remain watchable and i think those wanting to check these out will find no better versions than Optimum's DVD box set. The PQ is simply superb and i only keep Diamond's obscure U.S. equivalents because of the amusing English dubbing. But make no mistake the U.K. prints win hands down.

"That's a load of Sukiyaki!"

[The Reaper Man@Cult Labs]

Any other Chiba fans out there?

[chibba99]

Sonny Chiba is one of the greatest Action Stars ever all the film's you have listed here are great in one way or another apart from TBT I would recommend the following as well.

Shoguns Samurai - epic Kinji Fukasaku (Battle Royale) sword fighting movie
available on R2 by Eureka.

The Bodyguard - along the same lines as the Streetfighter still need to find a good quality copy of this one I have a really bad R1.

Samurai Reincarnation - another Kinji Fukasaku samurai film with supernatural elements only on R1 as far as I know.

The Oyama trilogy - based on the life of Masutatsu Oyama Sonnys teacher/sensei also on R1.

Hope this is helpful and I hope you enjoy these as much as I did.