Well, here it is... the latest from Dark Castle. Well, PARTIALLY from Dark Castle, which barely resembles what it used to be (Joel Silver's name is still on the executive producer list, and Graham "Grace" Walker contributed some worthy art direction). I waited a week for this one--consider it a "penalty" for the stunt they pulled with WHITEOUT (no, I'm still not quite over THAT one).
You've already heard that this is essentially a non-stop CGI gorefest, and I'm not about to disagree. I WILL say that the pre-credits sequence was excellent, and it's sure to raise your hopes for a better film than the one that ultimately transpires.
The film details the efforts of a "good" ninja (Rain) to protect a young "agency" woman who's on the verge of blowing the cover of the secret "evil" ninja society that trained him in the first place. Meanwhile, we're also given flashbacks to said training. My goodness. BATMAN BEGINS, anybody? It's a complete and total steal. Young Bruce Wayne endures intense, torturous training at the hands of Ra's Al Ghul, proves himself most indubitably, but balks when he realizes what's actually expected of him for his final initiation. So he becomes the dark avenger that works to thwart his old trainer and his army... HELL-OOOOOO???!!!!
As everyone has mentioned, you essentially get non-stop cartoon gore, cut to rapid-fire incomprehensibility in today's unfortunate style. Oh, and when a pursuit scene looks like it's going to end in fatal disaster, a female character pulls up in the nick of time in a car and says "GET IN!" Sorry--my eyes had already rolled up as far as they could by the time we reached that point.
The cast (including Rain) isn't bad at all, and it seems that they could do quite the honorable martial arts adventure given half a chance. But this movie is determined to show off CGI and hyperkinesis above all else. (I also determined that this must have originally been intended as a 3-D release... the hanging fireballs, the sparks in the air, the CGI blades whooshing into the forefront, etc. tipped me off, and the end title sequence clinched it, but it was apparently not to be.)
So what, if anything, is the saving grace? Two words: Sho Kosugi. Hey, I'm the guy who celebrated NINJA III: THE DOMINATION back in the 80s and always looked forward to seeing him in action (even if movies like 9 DEATHS OF THE NINJA were truly horrid). He's the evil trainer in NINJA ASSASSIN (though the ad campaign makes NO mention of this), and I must tell you that when I say that the movie is worth seeing for his sake, I'm not just talking about the sake of nostalgia and respect for the "good old days." He really IS that good and really DOES make this movie worth watching--this is one of his most effective performances and his best villainous turn EVER.
Now, could somebody please put him in a good MOVIE?
Ninja Assassin
Moderator: Chris Slack
Ninja Assassin
My dog's breath smells like peanut butter...
...and I don't even have a dog!
...and I don't even have a dog!
- Darth Tanner
- Posts: 505
- Joined: Tue Oct 19, 1999 10:00 pm
- Location: Midlothian, VA U.S.A
Despite my lack of satisfaction with Dark Castle's latest offerings, this is one movie I was looking forward to and I have to say that I really enjoyed this movie a lot. One of my favorite childhood memories was watching NINJA III: THE DOMINATION on HBO in the mid-80's. Seeing that movie got me interested in ninja flicks (which sadly had become a forgotten genre by the 1990's unless you count those NINJA TURTLES movies). Sho Kosugi is without a doubt the definitive 80's ninja so I was really excited when I heard he was making a comeback in this. Needless to say, the guy doesn't disappoint and he still has all the moves. I also like how he was given a meaty role instead of a small cameo.
As for the movie itself, I thought it was alright. The 80's ninja flicks were not know for great stories but I didn't care as long as there was decent action. This one has some killer fight scenes and some over the top gore (even if some of it is CGI). The CGI is the only thing that kept this from being the complete nostalgic experience I hoped for. I agree with Remo that the pre-credit sequence is truly awesome.
All in all, not a great movie but definitely worth checking out for Sho Kosugi fans or ninja fans in general. This is one I will definitely add to the collection at some point. Besides I would much rather watch this that the new TWILIGHT movie anytime.
On a related note, its a shame that almost none of those classic 80's flicks are even on DVD. MGM did release RAGE OF HONOR and REVENGE OF THE NINJA but they are only in fool-screen (which wouldn't work well on my HDTV). Hopefully some companies will jump on Sho Kosugi's comeback and get some of his earlier films on DVD. I really want to see NINJA III and ENTER THEN NINJA again dammit!
As for the movie itself, I thought it was alright. The 80's ninja flicks were not know for great stories but I didn't care as long as there was decent action. This one has some killer fight scenes and some over the top gore (even if some of it is CGI). The CGI is the only thing that kept this from being the complete nostalgic experience I hoped for. I agree with Remo that the pre-credit sequence is truly awesome.
All in all, not a great movie but definitely worth checking out for Sho Kosugi fans or ninja fans in general. This is one I will definitely add to the collection at some point. Besides I would much rather watch this that the new TWILIGHT movie anytime.
On a related note, its a shame that almost none of those classic 80's flicks are even on DVD. MGM did release RAGE OF HONOR and REVENGE OF THE NINJA but they are only in fool-screen (which wouldn't work well on my HDTV). Hopefully some companies will jump on Sho Kosugi's comeback and get some of his earlier films on DVD. I really want to see NINJA III and ENTER THEN NINJA again dammit!
"I have existed from the morning of the world and I shall exist until the last star falls from the heavens. Although I have taken the form of Gaius Caligula, I am all men as I am no man and so... I am a God." - Malcolm McDowell, CALIGULA
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[url=http://www.dvdprofiler.com/mycollection.asp?alias=ctanner5]My DVD collection[/url]
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[url=http://www.dvdprofiler.com/mycollection.asp?alias=ctanner5]My DVD collection[/url]
The only Sho Kosugi films I actually saw on the big screen (before this one, of course) were NINJA III: THE DOMINATION and 9 DEATHS OF THE NINJA. That should tell you something.
Of COURSE you should check this film out. Because if you're a Sho Kosugi fan, you owe it to the man. And if you're NOT a Sho Kosugi fan, you SHOULD be.
But Dark Castle REALLY needs to decide what the hell it wants to represent, and I will always take GENUINE martial arts action over CGI!
Of COURSE you should check this film out. Because if you're a Sho Kosugi fan, you owe it to the man. And if you're NOT a Sho Kosugi fan, you SHOULD be.
But Dark Castle REALLY needs to decide what the hell it wants to represent, and I will always take GENUINE martial arts action over CGI!
My dog's breath smells like peanut butter...
...and I don't even have a dog!
...and I don't even have a dog!