Bloodtype Online
For the best of the Horror/Cult/Exploitation film experience
Wandering Ginza Butterfly 2: She-Cat Gambler (1972)
After watching Synapse Films release of “Wandering Ginza Butterfly” I certainly consider myself a fan. As a matter of fact I was expecting something pretty different before watching it, but was still pleasantly surprised by what the film was. It wasn’t your typical Pinky Violence film, it wasn’t a Samurai film, and it was even less of a kung-fu movie. But it had great characters, a decent enough story and you really found yourself getting caught up in the characters of the film. The same can be said for the sequel, “Wandering Ginza Butterfly 2:She-Cat Gambler” as it manages to hit on all the good points the first film did and even throws in more blood for good measure.
“Wandering Ginza Butterfly 2" starts out with Nami (Meiko Kaji reprising her role from the original film) hunting for a man named Hoshiden who we find out is responsible for the death of her father. She arrives in time in Tokyo looking for work and finds it becoming a hostess while looking for her father’s murderer. Along the way she meets up with Ryuji (The legendary Sonny Chiba) a kind pimp who joins her in the search. Will the two find Hoshiden and get revenge? Or will the Yakuza manage to stop them in their tracks before the search really heats up? Well watch “Wandering Ginza Butterfly 2" to find out!
Although very similar in story to the first film I have to admit that this is one of the more unique sequels to a film I’ve ever seen. First off, it’s almost like it’s a remake of the first film as there is almost no follow through on the first film’s story, except for a few things that are similar. In the original film Nami is getting revenge on a group of Yakuza attempting to take over the club she’s working at. In this film she’s attempting to get revenge for the death of her father. Also there’s a character in each film named Ryuji but they have nothing in common with each other for the most part.
Something much different this time around is the amount of comedic elements thrown in. The original film was pretty much a straight forward drama, mixed in with a little gun fighting and swordplay. This one however has a lot of humor in it directed at the Ryuji character that Sonny Chiba plays in the film. Chiba does a great job in the role and really shines the moment battle occurs. Kaji again manages to hold a pretty impressive screen presence in the film and does a great job in the role of Nami again.
Although the movie is a slow burn just like the first film, it manages to be pretty engaging nonetheless. The film has a story that’s solid as a rock that I think most people will get into. Although once again this film is really not similar to the Pinky Violence films like the original there is a bit more nudity and violence than in the original.
Synapse has once again put together a great DVD with excellent special features here too. The DVD features a brand new transfer, in anamorphic widescreen restored from Toei’s original vault elements, a Japanese language track, a video interview with director Kazuhiko Yamaguchi, a video interview with Pinky Violence expert J-Taro Sugisaku, original Japanese theatrical trailers for both of the “Wandering Ginza Butterfly” films, a Meiko Kaji photo gallery and bio, as well as a reversible sleeve featuring the original Japanese poster art.
Overall I would have to HIGHLY RECOMMEND “Wandering Ginza Butterfly 2" as it’s a very entertaining flick from beginning to end. I really enjoyed the story, the characters, and the conclusion of the film. It’s as solid of a film that I’ve seen of this variety and I think a lot of Sonny Chiba fans should check it out due to the fact that the role is a different one for him to play. I had a blast watching this one as I did the first and I think a lot of others out there will too. Check it out, it might really surprise you!
Rating - ***
-Ed Demko
