I'll explain what makes movie Sonatine so attractive. (it's definitely a masterpiece)

To all English speakers

Hello.
I would like to tell you what I noticed after watching the movie Sonatine and what I think is its charm.
Director Takeshi Kitano is undoubtedly one of the best directors in Japan.
I think Sonatine is the best of Kitano's works and a masterpiece.
(I'm just an amateur when it comes to movies, but I like to write my impressions of movies and books.)

※This English text was translated using Google Translate.

1. A man (Tsuda) gives away the plot
   The humor and comedy aren't just in the obvious parts.
   That's what makes it funny.
   The word "EXPOSURE"is written on the clothes of a man named Tsuda, a subordinate of the Murakawa group.
   Tsuda's words and actions give away some of the plot.

２．A compact philosophical theme
A vivid technique that makes it seem as if he is shooting continuously with a gun.
It takes about a minute. All these heavy themes are packed into that short time.
The scenes are:

• Murakawa stands on the beach at night, looking as if he is about to commit suicide (his own death)

• Kills a thug (someone else's death)

• Becomes a couple with Sachi (sex → life)

Moreover, killing someone else (the owner of the mahjong parlor) and having sex (when telling a joke about why he killed his father) are expressed in Murakawa's words as "I'm going to do it" and are expressed with the same weight (lightness).

３．Nested structure

It is structured as if it is recreating Murakawa's life from birth to his death.

Paper sumo, sumo, pitfalls, banquets, the actions of the hitman, everything is a metaphor.

This nested structure may be the reason for the title "Sonatine".

What was Murakawa's life story?

The fact that he became a couple on the night he first met Sachi represents life here.

Sachi is given the role of mother as a symbol. This is where Murakawa is born.

Paper sumo is a metaphor for infancy.
The actual sumo is a metaphor for childhood.
Sachi and the drive are metaphors for adolescence.
The pitfall on the beach at night is probably a metaphor for joining the yakuza. Katagiri is probably a symbol of the father.
Sachi holding a cigarette and alcohol is a metaphor for becoming an adult.
The rain falling and Sachi being topless is a metaphor for the first time they become involved in a relationship.
The banquet is a metaphor for a wedding.
The fireworks battle is a metaphor for a gunfight after joining the yakuza.
The four of them walking on the beach is a metaphor for having his children.
The hitman shooting Nakamatsu is a metaphor for Murakawa shooting Kitajima.
The hitman scattering the flowers is a metaphor for Murakawa's suicide.

Looking at the overall composition, it looks like a piece of music, like a mathematical formula, or like a programmed system.
No matter what it is, it is beautiful and fascinating.

４．Russian Roulette Scene
At first glance, this is a scene where Murakawa is toying with his subordinates (making fun of them with a gun lol?), but there is a theme running behind it.
That is because Murakawa is testing his subordinate Ken.
At the same time, it is a scene where a parent wishes for their child to grow up and become independent, and intends to say goodbye and send them off.
However, the reason why this is not brought to the forefront is because it is Murakawa's principle and because this is a film where Director Kitano's sense shines through.
Personally, this is the most moving part of the film.

Explanation of the rock-paper-scissors scene

Murakawa keeps putting up his paper. What does this show? Here's my guess. Perhaps there was a tradition in the rock-paper-scissors games played by the Murakawa group (or just Murakawa and Ken) that the boss would put up his paper and the subordinates would put up their rock, as if it was a fixed game.

So, unlike "Ryoji, who doesn't know if he'll win or lose," "Ken, who is sure to lose," was scared and didn't play rock-paper-scissors the first time. (He couldn't.) But Murakawa told him, "You should play too." Ken reluctantly joined the game with a sad expression. "Just like before," Ken was considerate of Murakawa and put up his rock the second and third times. Ken lost after all. Finally, the fourth time. At the end of the third time, both Ken and Ryoji predicted that Murakawa would put up his paper the fourth time, and put up his scissors. They didn't want to lose (they didn't want to die), so they played rock-paper-scissors seriously. Completely different from when they were shooting at each other with cans, both Ken and Ryoji look desperate.

Murakawa loses the fourth time. With a fearless smile on his face, Murakawa puts the gun to his temple and fires. ...A blank shot. From beginning to end, viewers will be confused and feel the same way as Ryoji and Ken. "What is he thinking? Has he gone crazy?" The two are stunned and stand there, staring at Murakawa's back as he walks away laughing. The magic-like technique that draws in the audience is amazing, but what's even more interesting is the way the people (especially Murakawa) are portrayed.

Murakawa wanted them to stop playing "dangerous games"

I think Murakawa wanted the two young people to stop playing "dangerous games". However, he doesn't directly tell them to "stop". Rather than telling them in words, I think he wanted them to "experience" the fear of death for themselves, think for themselves, and make the choice to stop (quit).

５．Elevator shootout scene
This is only a guess, but when Murakawa and the others get on the hotel elevator, there seems to be a sense of tension unlike when they got there, and this is thought to be because they sensed Takahashi's "smell".
Normally, it is thought to be difficult to express a "smell" in a film.
The "smell" is "smelled" to the audience.
I can't help but feel that the director is challenging both the difficulty and the fun of this.

６．Ending
At the death scene, the way Murakawa looks at Ken and the way the woman (Sachi) looks at Murakawa are consistent, so the parting between Sachi and Murakawa is exquisitely depicted, and by not going overboard, the viewer is able to imagine the characters' innermost thoughts even more skillfully. Beautiful.