The Yakuza Papers 5: Final Episode

Unsurprisingly, Fukasaku's mobster epic closes on a down beat as a new generation of yakuza take the reins and the cyclical nature of violence takes over, despite Hirono's best efforts. The restructuring of the mob as a political entity had some interesting potential that was left frustratingly unexplored, but the expected scheming, murders and wild scraps are all there. One final note: all the music in this series is excellent.

These have gotten better as it progressed so I can't help but be disappointed. As this, so clearly states, is the final episode, you'd expect it'd be a lot more exciting and satisfying than it's predecessors. Instead it just kind of fizzles out. So I'll openly admit that my expectations had a serious influence on my experience. That electric cinematography is still there though and as great as ever. Oh and Tsushima's score is brilliant in all 5 as well.

The yakuza have gone semi-legal in a big alliance that's fronting as a political organisation. But of course it's not before long till there again fractions forming and incrowd fighting. So it's all back to business as usual. Which is exactly the point; men will scheme and fight to on top and people will die from all the violence stemming from it, which begets more violence. And with this cynical view on the never ending cycle of violence, that the series comes to a satisfying conclusion

Os Documentos da Yakuza 5 DVD Versátil Cinema Yakuza Volume 2

A fitting end to the first five films in the Battles Without Honor and Humanity series. Jô Shishido is in this one which was a nice surprise. They made an additional 4 films after this one so the final episode moniker is a bit of a false statement.

I can't imagine it ending any other way.

This wonderful series doesn't really conclude in a satisfying way. A major problem of this 5th movie is that there is never a 'wow' moment that you'll remember once it's over and the fate of most characters won't be clear at all. It still has the ingredients that made the other movies so cool, but we're getting used to them by now. I did like the idea that the Yakuza are trying to become a political coalition, shame it wasn't developed further.