Amazon Price: $49.99		Starring: Jo Shishido, Akira Kobayashi, Ruriko Asaoka Directors: Buichi Saito, Ko Nakahira, Haruyasu Noguchi Release Date: June 21, 2016 Run Time: 251 Minutes (3 Films) Format: Blu-Ray Color: Color Audio: Japanese Subtitles: English Distributor: Arrow Video

• Limited Edition Blu-ray collection (3000 copies)
• High Definition digital transfers of all three films in this collection, from original film elements by Nikkatsu Corporation
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation
• Original uncompressed mono audio
• Newly translated English subtitles
• Specially recorded video discussions with Japanese cinema expert Jasper Sharp on Diamond Guys Jo Shishido and Akira Kobayashi
• Original trailers for all three films
• Extensive promotional image galleries for all films
• Reversible sleeve featuring brand new artwork by Graham Humphreys
• Booklet featuring new writing on all the films and director profiles by Stuart Galbraith IV, Tom Mes and Mark Schilling

Nikkatsu Diamond Guys: Vol. 2 is the second boxset of three films from Nikkatsu Film Studio Arrow Video has released Two Films starring Jo Shishido who’ve we seen in the last box set and Akira Kobayashi who was also in the last boxset. Some other recurring actors can also be seen.

The three films hover on Comedy with some hints of gangster, spy thriller and portion Musical. The film that is worth it in this boxset would be Danger pays as the comedy was great and story was a fun view. The first film taking my least favorite spot is Tokyo Mighty Guy as it’s a Comedy somewhat more its just more loopy filled with musical spots and some gangsters but really no action. Overall just an OK one time viewing. The third film as my 2^nd favorite again brings the loopy screwball comedy called Murder Unincorporated brings a comedy spoof on spy villains. Its dated and not made for everyone but if your into old screwball comedies with weird characters then you might enjoy the view.

Overall the Boxset was OK with one film that strands out as a great one and two OK films they will be a hit or miss. Is it worth it, I say it is for Danger Pays. Check it out and give it a shot. One thing to note here as with the First Boxset Nikkatsu Diamond Guys: Vol. 1 we had a Trailer for Vol 2 and for Vol 2 we don’t have any trailer for a Vol 3 so will this be the last? Who knows.

With that said I give this boxset a rating of 3.5 out of 5 which is the average of all three films combine. Go check out my reviews for each film below.

In Saito’s Tokyo Mighty Guy, mega star Akira Kobayashi stars as Jiro in the rambunctious tale of a chef who opens a restaurant in the busy Ginza district. His culinary skills and dashing good looks bring in the women as well as unwanted trouble, while an explosive political scandal builds around his girlfriend’s business…

Tokyo Mighty Guy is a Drama about a Guy Named Young Jiro Who Returns to Japan after mastering French Cuisine but daily life gets in the way Like A girl who falls in love with him but is due to get married soon. Some action is seen but what we also get is a partial Musical,Comedy and a Hint of Gangster.

The story was Decent with a bit of things going on, the comedy bits I found funny at times but the musical I feel gets in the way some. Acting wise the film was great but words are spoken fast at times so get your speed reading skills in line for a burst or two.

Overall the film is fun but silly with the musicals, more action would be nice and we are also shown some Nudity….just a bit. Comedy portions were fun and the story was OK. Yet it’s not a Solid first film from this boxset but still its watchable. Reviews hover around the 2.5 and 3 area and I’m in line with that. More Comedy would have also been nice to see here.

With that said I give this film a 2.5 out of 5. Jump in to the first film with some Comedy, a bit of musical and a decent story.

Starring: Jô Shishido, Hiroyuki Nagato, Ruriko Asaoka Directed: Kô Nakahira Theatrical Release Date: December 1, 1962 (Japan) Run Time: 83 Minutes Color: Color Audio: Japanese Subtitles: English

Next, Jo Shishido (Massacre Gun, Retaliation), one of the most popular Diamond Guys in the West, stars in Danger Pays, a crime caper from Ko Nakahira about counterfeiting. When one billion yen goes AWOL, “Joe the Ace” (Shishido) spies an opportunity to get rich quick, but things soon go wrong as it turns out he isn’t the only one who’ll stop at nothing to get his hands on the missing cash…

Danger Pays is a Fun Heist film but with an Opening that gets brutal. The story itself become lighter, filled with comedy and a fun to follow story. Two Groups of bad guys are after the big bucks with the mean more bad, bad guys or I should just say serious and another group with 3 guys who are playing off each other to get what ht other group has. A Top of the line Artists an Old man who is the Number one counterfeiter who can maker the molds.

The Story so far out of this boxset as the 2^nd film blows away the first film. Its fun, funny, filled with mystery and comedy like you would find in an Ocean eleven Film. The comedy bits did hit for me and I think all of it did as id d find my self laughing and enjoying. Action wise we get some guns, Knives and trucks running into buildings but not that much use for those tools as the film runs on the lighter side of things. The one thing that bothers me a bit is the 3 guys who we don’t know much about or even if they know each other but we find out what that’s all about towards the end.

Overall the film is was enjoyable and worth picking up this boxset just for. Fun, Funny, great story. Acting was on point and the chemistry between the 3 guys and the old guy who is the mold maker was great.

With that said I give this film a 4.5 out of and is so far the best film in the set. Must see, Give it a shot and pick this up just for this film.

Starring: Yumiko Nogawa, Eiji Gô, Jô Shishido Directed: Haruyasu Noguchi Theatrical Release Date: 1965 (Japan) Run Time: 89 Minutes Color: Color Audio:Japanese Subtitles: English

Finally, Shishido stars once again in Noguchi’s screwball classic Murder Unincorporated. When the mysterious “Joe of Spades” executes one of the bosses of a powerful syndicate, his colleagues, fearing for their own lives, call on the services of assassin agency Murder Unincorporated to take care of the problem. This unique entry showcases some of the most peculiar killing tactics to ever hit Japanese cinema!

Murder Unincorporated is a Comedy on the slapstick screwball side and kind of feels like a James Bond Spoof on its Villens With its assassins in all different shapes and sizes and different ways they shoot bullets like out of a duck or baseball bat. The story runs with an assassin Agency assembling a group of skilled shooters and killers who all have weird quirks are set out to protects its clients. Jo Shishido once again makes his face be seen on screen as a lead is on the other side of this agency who plays quay throughout the film.

The Story is small and dated but I felt it was a decent follow. The film can be a hit or miss but if you go in thinking slapstick, screwball spoof on spy thrillers you will be fine. The Film at times does feel dated and is very silly. Downside for me the comedy didn’t hit me much as it was over the top. Are lead didn’t have a big screen time but what I did like was the idea of the weird assassins including a kid playing an adult smoking a cigar.

Overall the film is was a decent watch and is my second favorite film of this box set. Granted it not for everyone. I enjoyed the silliness of the film and its assassin characters. Just wish we had more Jo

With that said I give this film a 3 out of 5.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A965MOOny84

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