Blue Tiger

After her son is shot and killed in a Yakuza hit, Virginia Madsen goes after the killers, using an ancient Japanese myth about dragon tattoos to plot her revenge. Unlike another female assassin film, "Ms. 45", the plot here is not straightforward, and is somewhat unpredictable. The movie is well photographed, and has an outstanding rhythmic soundtrack, that reminds me of the work of Philip Glass. There is plenty of violence, and things progress at an acceptable pace. It should be noted that Harry Dean Stanton has a very limited part as a tattoo artist. As female revenge thrillers go, "Blue Tiger" ranks with with the best of them. Recommended viewing. - MERK

I finally managed to track down a VHS copy of this movie, and I'm glad I did. The quality of the print is astonishing. No blurry edges or twitches to distract the eye from a superb little revenge movie. The plot reminded me of Ms.45. Woman goes a bit obsessively bonkers and vows to track down a tattooed killer when her son gets killed in the crossfire from a bodged gang hit. Cue hair dye, naff outfits, shooting practice and Japanese lessons. Woot!

The tattoo thing allows Harry Dean Stanton to reprise his wheezy old wise man role from Repo Man. A neat cameo from one of my favourite actors. Michael Madsen also appears briefly to sell his sister a gun. Well he wasn't going to sell her flowers, was he?

The surprising thing about this movie is the pace. It's relentless, and it has that moody low budget Ferrara/Cohen urgency about it from start to finish. Great performances all round from a decent cast. Shame the mob guys looked like extras from the Kojak school of pie munching. Seeing as their main role is as cannon fodder, that's forgivable. At just under 80 minutes, this movie feels way too short. It's a good lesson in lean mean movie making , and appears to have left all the excess baggage on the cutting room floor. Worth the price of the video if you can find one, and worthy of a few brews if it turns up on cable.

Bobby Darin released a swing lp in 2002. It really wasn't the genre for his 1960's hits. But he grew up when swing was the most popular music. So he knew swing. This movie is made in the classic noir style. It is not the self-conscious, over the top, retro style like Sin City, or The Girl From the Naked Eye. No, whoever made this flick was old. They KNEW noir. But unfortunately in 2021, it is kind of slow, and cliched. Still gets five stars; because it is quality. Seen on Tubi, the free streaming site.

Gina Hayes, a grieving mother driven to vengeance after her young son is killed in a Yakuza crossfire. Identifying the killer only by a distinctive blue tiger tattoo, Gina infiltrates the Japanese underworld of Los Angeles, seeking retribution.

Director Norberto Barba's 1994 offering Blue Tiger rises well above standard straight to video fare, delivering a moody, atmospheric thriller that's executed with care and style. Christopher Walling's cinematography brings an unexpected polish to the production, capturing the neon-lit streets, murky backrooms, and shadowy interiors with a noir sensibility. Despite its modest budget, the film's visual style and pacing enhance the gritty tone throughout.

Virginia Madsen gives a strong, driven performance, convincingly charting Gina's transformation from heartbroken mother to vengeful huntress. Toru Nakamura oozes sleek menace as Seiji, while Ryo Ishibashi (also seen in American Yakuza) lends subtle gravitas as another figure in the Japanese underworld. Harry Dean Stanton turns up in an extended cameo as a tattoo artist, adding reliable presence, while an uncredited Michael Madsen cameo adds a familiar face for genre fans. The supporting cast features Yuji Okumoto (The Karate Kid Part II) as a sharp detective and Dean Hallo, known for his role as a henchman in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, adding to the film's characterful line-up.

Though Blue Tiger saw only a direct to video release, particularly in the UK, it stands out for its simple yet effective story, written by Takashige Ichise and Joel Soisson, its atmospheric visuals, and confident execution.

Overall, a solid, stylish slice of 90s neo-noir revenge, and one that's worth seeking out.

Searing, passionate and stylish revenge thriller that rises above its b- grade formula due to its well-written character dramas lead by a powerful performance from Virginia Madsen. Its her character's fierce determination of a mother that drives it, especially in her commitment as she gets the tattoo of the avenging red tiger on her back. Madsen really takes it upon herself to portray a damaged individual who's desire for revenge sees her character entering the dangerous underworld of the Japanese mafia seeking the identity of the killer of her son who was caught in the crossfire during an Yakuza hit. The only clue driving her was the glimpse of a tattoo of a blue tiger across the killer's chest. Fearsome action with heated drama and cold straight-faced villains… no surprises with the intrigue, but its well-made and there's perfect support parts led by Harry Dean Stanton.