A great Yakuza film, has some teaching points about how the Yakuza functions. The heirarchy and loyalty is a huge deal in the Yakuza, which is clear here. Overall a gore fest (when it's revenge time) with good acting, an easy storyline and great cinematography.

I really wonder why there isn't more modern day realistic Yakuza films coming out of Japan. Perhaps it has something to do with the real Yakuza not being too pleased about that idea. I've read a few stories, and that's a strong possibility. Regardless, this film gives me something that i'd like to see more of. (And luckily we did with the sequel to this film being released recently)Takeshi Kitano directs, writes, edits and stars in this film, which is quite impressive. I must say, he does a good job at all of these things. He creates a film that really feels like a look into the violent and backstabbing world of the Yakuza. It doesn't pull any punches, that's for sure. It also contains a scene that will make you fear the dentists office more than you may already fear it. Apparently Kitano wrote the death scenes first, and then wrote the story around it, which you may think would make for a terrible movie, but you would be wrong. The story is intriguing and full of betrayal. The movie also has a great soundtrack that has a very cool synth sound.The performances are all quite believable. In the way that you feel like the actors in Goodfellas are real members of the mafia, Outrage contains actors whose performances would almost have you believe they we're real Yakuza. You have some real despicable characters, and the actors fill those rolls so well.Overall, this is a film that is quite underrated when it comes to the gangster film genre. I would love to see more Yakuza films that have a similar style to this. Highly recommended to gangster movie fans.

"Outrage" doesn't aspire to Olympian numinal storytelling but in fact is a great yarn of retribution, counter-retribution, double- and triple- crossing, and criminal intrigue lending itself to considerable contemplation. On display here is a really profound emotional range, from poised Japanese restraint to some of the most boorish, angry, testosterone-fueled behavior even lensed, with violence in spades though mostly befalling characters that have been developed such that the spatter is never gratuitous nor comic-book. "Outrage" is meticulously cinematographed, and lensmen that use the screen and light the scene as well as is on view here will never be common. What especially appeals here is a perception that while many western films tantamount to "Outrage" have very powerful men doing very rotten things set in motion by a gesture or a muttering, "Outrage" has lions that roar, get enraged and curse and beat their chests, and it is actually refreshing to see tyrants behaving badly in plain view instead of their badness being inferred. Kitano has the makings of a franchise here, and this is a fine effort.

Takeshi Kitano is back in Yakuza mode for Outrage - Notice how I didn't say 'Back to doing what he does best' though because as much as I love his violent gangster films, I also love his innocent and more artistic films, such as Hana-bi, Kikujiro and A Scene at the Sea. That aside, after his excellent Zatoichi remake and the fascinating experimental self-struggle that was Takeshis' - Outrage is probably what his hardcore following wanted (and I include myself in that demographic). It's not quite on par with Sonatine but it's better than your average Yakuza film, better and much more violent. It's very violent in fact but then no one does tender one minute and violent the next like Kitano. Rest assure though Beat fans, this may not be another Sonatine but it certainly isn't another Brother. Also, if you're new to the world of Takeshi, this isn't the worst place to start as long as you're not scared of a little blood! less