Shokei no shima

Masahiro Shinoda is one of the last living director's from Japan's golden age of films, and while this isn't one of his best known films, I'd say it's one of the best of the ones I've watched so first.

The plot of Captive's Island starts simple - with a man who was once abused in a harsh island reform school as a boy returning there for revenge - but things get more complicated as the film nears its conclusion (as plots often like to do).

This benefits from its unique setting and great visuals, as the island setting really helps elevate the mood and tension of the otherwise fairly standard revenge story, as well as the film's simple but decent enough characters. One part that did stand out was a static long shot that lasted well over five minutes in the climax- it really added to the effectiveness of the ending.

With a runtime under 90 minutes, it never drags too much despite the leisurely pace and simple premise. It's a very good, well-made movie. Nothing incredible, but overall not much to fault, either.