Directed by: Ryuhei Kitamura
Starring: Kenji Matsude, Chieko Misaka, Tak Sakaguchi, Hideo Sakaki

Versus is a Japanese movie about an eons long rivalry between good and evil which culminates in the Forrest of Resurrection in a 119 minute long battle involving swords, guns, karate, zombies, vampires, leather pants, and black trench coats.

I’m not generally into watching dubbed/subtitled films, and probably never would have seen this had it not been lent to my by a Japan-o-phile friend of mine, however, I am pleased to say that I did watch this movie and I loved it. And I’m a little ashamed to admit it…

The movie is by no means a brilliant work of art to span the generations. Nope, this flick is simply a really long, well done, fight scene with just enough story behind it to hold it together. Although the movie is well made, and the fights are very well choreographed and shot, I get the impression that this movie was made by a bunch of bored Japanese college kids.

“I’m bored, Haiku, what do you want to do?”

“Oh, I don’t know, Sanyo, let’s make a movie!”

“That is a grand idea, or my name isn’t Pu Pu Platter!”

This movie is action packed, comedic, tons of bloody fun and I definitely recommend it for any movie party, especially if there is beer involved. In fact, you could easily make a drinking game out of Versus. Every time someone gets hacked with a sword and blood spurts out as if shot from a fire hose everyone must take one drink. This game could possibly require several kegs.