This Thursday, July 23, another fun premiere hits theaters.

"Sakamoto Days" is one of those rare cases where the film honestly warns the viewer: don't expect meaning, just relax and enjoy.

Imagine John Wick who retired, opened a small grocery store, started a family, and... noticeably gained weight. That's roughly what Taro Sakamoto looks like — once a legendary hitman feared by the entire criminal underworld. But for love, he left his dark past behind. However, as it goes, you only leave such a job in a coffin: a billion yen bounty is placed on his head, and now Sakamoto must fend off an endless stream of mercenaries, trying not to kill anyone (his wife forbade it) while preserving his new peaceful life.

Director Yuichi Fukuda creates an absurd action film that doesn't try to be smart, and that's its main strength — instead of a convoluted plot and deep dialogue, the viewer gets a kaleidoscope of incredibly inventive fights, where the legendary hitman battles opponents with glasses, paper clips, and even toys from the supermarket, all while strictly keeping his promise to his wife not to kill anyone.

Ryunosuke Kamiki brilliantly balances between the image of a clumsy fat man and a deadly machine, and his transformation brings genuine laughter in the most unexpected scenes. The action choreography, though occasionally marred by obvious CGI, is so inventive and dynamic that you quickly stop noticing the flaws, and the comedic absurdity combined with nostalgic references to cult 90s action films turns the viewing into a light and carefree adventure.

Of course, this movie isn't for everyone — if you're looking for psychological depth or realism, "Sakamoto Days" will seem like empty, stupid trash, but if you're ready to turn off logic and just enjoy the ride, the film offers an hour and a half of sparkling fun, where the main character, with a deadpan face, takes on an army of mercenaries while somehow managing to save money on groceries for the family dinner.

It's a pure, unadulterated attraction that isn't ashamed of its silliness and makes it its main selling point — perhaps that very lightness is where its charm lies.