SnoReptilePlenty Memorable, crazy movie

Abbigail Bush what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Scotty Burke It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

Darin One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

sundby-39583 This film is superb. If you're a fan of Miike and enjoy dark, suspenseful horror, this one does it. Out of all of the Masters of Horror films made in the series, this one is the most disturbing and it was banned from being shown on cable (which is more reason to see it). The cinematography is excellent and the story is phenomenal. This film will go down as a cult classic.

Smoreni Zmaj Even if the story doesn't take place in Japan, it is clear at first glance that this is a Japanese director. Takashi Miike did an excellent job. The film is slow and gradually brings you into the story, building an extremely strong atmosphere. On the visual side it is perhaps the best episode so far, and the scenes of violence will freeze the blood in your veins. But it seems to me that the scriptwriters did not devise the whole story in time, and the end gives the impression of over-the-top improvisation, which brings this horror drama to the edge of absurd comedy, similar to Henenlotter's B horrors. That's why I can not go over7/10

trashgang To end season one they have waited in my belief for the best. This is a pure masterpiece that is gruesome and even gory at some points. The easily offended will surely turn it off because the scene's with the baby's will go too far for them.But let me say this, I have seen it in 2006 and immediately adored it but the problem in Europe was the fact that all episodes were cut somehow. I had to wait until they came out on zone 1 Blu Ray to find it uncut and even then you only can find it in Germany. So I picked the full uncut edition which clocks in at 63 minutes in stead of 56 minutes. This is as I said earlier one of Takashi Miiki's better work. Not only that, the acting of Billy Drago as Christopher is sublime. But it's really the beauty of the camera shots that delivers. It's also a slow builder but it stays that way even when the torturing of one of the girls comes in. And it's that part that so much people are talking about. It isn't gory and there's not that much of blood but it's the way they all looked and the kind of torturing that makes it uneasy to watch. There's even nudity involved but you are focused on the needles slowly going in the flesh. And the way she's tied up isn't comfortable too.But not only that. The abortion seen here is also gruesome. And the way they get rid of the cadavers will surely offend some. Imprint is the most spoken episode of the two seasons and is still considered as a masterpiece. I still love it after all those years and was glad finally have seen the full uncut version. It should have been a full feature. For people who liked Audition (1999) this is a must see. And okay, some won't understand the little sister coming out of a head, a bit like Basket Case (1982) but that is also so typical Japanese. You love or hate it.Gore 1/5 Nudity 1/5 Effects 4/5 Story 4/5 Comedy 0/5

Samuel Walker Whilst I'd be the first to admit that some scenes in this film were hard to watch, it in no way detracts from the masterful story-telling that is the foundation of Takashi Miike's work. As well as being terrifying to the extreme, Imprint is also sad, moving and above all fascinating as each time the prostitute, played by Youki Kudoh, retells her story, a little more of the truth is revealed. Kudoh's performance is simply amazing and any other actress would have probably ruined the film. Billy Drago also turns in a fantastic performance in his role of Christopher, a hapless man searching Japan for his lost love Kimomo. The imagery in this film is unique to say the least, with historical accuracy taking a back seat to unique and striking visuals, such as the bright red hair of all the prostitutes as well as the vibrant blue hair of the nameless prostitute played by Kudoh. Such hair colours where not available to Japanese women in the time frame the film is set in (1900's?). However, this definitely works to the film's advantage, creating a surreal and fantastic environment where a story such as this one doesn't seem so unbelievable. Also, if you love a movie with a big twist, this one is for you. There are several twists throughout, but the big one towards the end is a killer (literally). Whilst riddled with extreme blood and gore, this aspect of the film is for once a necessary and important part of the film, explaining how this young woman became the person that she is. I highly recommend this movie, but if you're squeamish or find extreme torture unbearable to watch then I advise you to run a mile from this one. Also, look out for the dwarf who's nose is falling apart from syphilis. His bizarre behavior during the torture scene is perhaps the most disturbing part of the whole film. 10 stars!!!