The Hunted - Der Gejagte

Samurai movie with well staged scenes , colorful ambient , professionally directed and Japan set . The story starts with a quote by Daidoh Yuzan , 16th Century : ¨One who is a Samurai must before all things keep constantly in mind . By day by night..the fact that he has to die¨. It deals with Paul (Christopher Lambert) a computer-chip executive from New York travels to Tokyo , there he finds a gorgeous Japanese girl (Joan Chen) . After that , he inadvertently interrupting his meeting by a killing . As he is now the only man to have seen the figure of the cult's warrior-chief (John Lone) named Makato and nobody has survived after seeing his face , as he soon realizes that he is taking on a markedly foreshortened life-expectancy . Then , he joins forces with a friendly samurai couple (Harada and Shimada) who helps him . Later on , at a speed train takes place a violent face off between Ninja-sect hoodlums and Sensei , his wife along with Paul ; the result is an astonishing massacre . Ultimately , Paul recuperating on an island-fortress and learning about life and sword-play . Finally , there occurs the definitive final duel between Ninjas from Makato clan and Takeda faction .

This Ninja film packs bloody swordplay , spectacular martial-arts and noisy action sequences . This is a colourful , mostly filmed in Japan and medium budget movie ; leave no cliché untouched , though the rife fighting is magnificently staged . Amid the glamour of the scenarios is developed an intrigue about feud among Japanese factions , a two-centuries-old blood-confrontation with the Ninja and Takeda clan , including betrayal , crime and exploring the dark side of vengeance . Overwhelming and rousing fights with deadly use of Katanas , feet and palms , along with such weapons as swords , sticks , lances and ¨Shuriken¨. It contains usual learning period in which the naive businessman learns a little about courage, honor, love, swordsmanship and loyalty . The picture is full of tumultuous sequences with frenetic action , surprises , climatic combats and groundbreaking struggles . Passable acting by Christopher Lambert as a businessman who finds himself struggling to survive in the wrong place at the wrong time , and John Lone is good as a feared Ninja chief . And enjoyable couple formed by Yoshio Harada as Takeda Sensei and Yôko Shimada as Mieko Takeda . Nice production design with exterior shots of the train were filmed on location on Japan, however, the interior shots were filmed on a set at Bridge Studios in Vancouver, B.C. ; the scenery rushing by outside the windows was simulated using large rotating drums with "blurred" scenery painted on it . Colorful cinematography by Jack Conroy , full of red shades and bright images . Monotonous and syncopated musical score by means of continuous drum sounds .

The motion picture produced in moderated budget was well directed by J.F. Lawton, though with no originally . He wrote a number of feature film scripts including one called "Three Thousand", which was selected by the Sundance Institute , Touchstone Pictures purchased the script and later he changed the title to Pretty Woman (1990). He also wrote a script for Blankman (1994) , Chain reaction (1996) and DOA: Dead or Alive (2006), a film based on the huge video game series success of the same name . After that , he then wrote and directed Jackson (2008), a failed comedy-drama-musical . ¨The hunted¨ turns out to be one an acceptable film , including exciting attacks and groundbreaking fighting perfectly staged , the result is a strong entry for action buffs

Businessman Paul Racine is in Japan for work when he is picked up by an attractive young woman. He goes back to her flat but leaves early. Going back after second thoughts Racine witnesses her being killed by the mysterious ninja assassin Kinjo. He survives Kinjo's ninjas but is badly hurt. In hospital he is approached by Takeda and his wife, who offer him protection as everyone else who has seen Kinjo face has been killed. After a ninja attack on his hospital Racine goes with them and they prepare for a final showdown.

I've seen this film twice now. This second time I watched it because I wanted to review it but couldn't remember it clearly enough to be fair on it. The second viewing reminded why it had faded in my mind – it is trashy yet enjoyable fun. The plot is poor (laughable parts and inconsistencies) but it is short, has energy and requires no thought. The idea that this businessman would survive several ninja attacks when training samurai are easily killed is silly. Worse still is the idea (no matter how justified) that Racine could even temporarily match any of these men after only a few basic lessons in how to hold a sword! However it is quite exciting if you're in the mood. The high point is probably a train journey that is exciting simply because it is shockingly violent in it's intent. The addition of some comic relief in the final third (the old swordmaker) helps the film along to the conclusion.

Although it is not great, it is slightly refreshing to see a film of this genre without tonnes of flashy wire work or moves (having just suffered Bulletproof Monk and Cradle 2 The Grave I was glad of the basic fights). Little inconsistencies spoil it slightly – in one scene Racine is saved when a samurai sword jams in a wooden door, however later the same swords easily cuts though thick wooden pillars. Those looking for something trashy and slightly exciting should be pleased I think.

Lambert is not great in the lead and the film suffers form his character being the focal point. He mumbles his way through his lines (I think he thinks it makes him tough and mysterious) and his transformation from green businessman to ninja warrior is of no value. On the flip side of this is Yoshio Harada. Harada gives a really cool performance – he is strong and driven with an air of mystery, the script even makes him a little dark and complex too! The film would have been better if it had gradually swung the films focus from Racine to Harada's Takeda. Lone is OK as Kinjo but is not as meaty a role as Takeda. Considering the quality of the film I was watching I thought Harada did very well.

Overall I was ready for a trashy ninja movie with low value but reasonably entertaining – and that's what I got. Anyone looking for more than that should look elsewhere, but if you're in the mood this forgettable ninja movie will pass 90 minutes without being disappointing.

"The Hunted" is one of those movies that tries to give you an insight in the Japanese code of honor. So when a western business-man, a witness in the murder of a call-girl, becomes the hunted, the question arise "How far can a code of honor go?". What struck me in this movie is the excellent use of the Japanese scenery i.c. Tokyo, the bullit-trains, the temples, the ninja way of life...The score is by the heart beat drummers Kodo. A great action packed movie with a lot of tension in a very beautiful package! Don't lose your head!

Christopher Lambert stars as a businessman who witnesses the slaying of a woman (Joan Chen) who he had just slept with, when the ninja (John Lone) is spotted face and all, the ninja stops at nothing to kill Lambert and it's only a rival ninja clan which teaches Lambert how to defend himself and win in a sword fight, Sean Connery of course is nowhere to be found this time. Lambert has a weird charisma about him, he really isn't that strong of an actor but for some reason he is able to get us to watch him and his screen presence almost always makes his hero generally more interesting than a musclebound action star who projects little sympathy. Lambert comes off rather vulnerable and the villains he's up against are no slouches either. They are ruthless SOBs, for instance they actually slaughter a train of innocent by standers all because they don't want any witnesses. This includes old people, children, mothers you name it they bit the big one. In theaters this was an experience which shocked a lot of us and the crowd I was with, were prepared for brutal action. The Hunted works as a Ninja actioner and is generally better polished than almost anything made in the 80's. It's slick, brutal and overall a fast paced actioner which in the end, is all we ask for.

* * * out of 4-(Good)

Samurai flicks may be considered a guilty pleasure, but this one is well worth watching.

It is not a Toshiro Mifune classic, but it features plenty of Samurai action and lots of blood is spilled.

Christopher Lambert (Highlander I, II, and III; Mortal Kombat) plays an American businessman who picks up an extremely lovely Joan Chen (Lust, Caution; Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl) in a bar and they have a pleasurable time before ninjas arrive to kill her for a transgression. The leader, John Lone (The Last Emperor, Year of the Dragon) is identified and the hunt begins.

The businessman enlists the help of super Japanese actor Yoshio Harada and Yôko Shimada (Shogun and "Shogun"). What he doesn't realize ifs the Samurai isn't really interested in helping, he just wants to do battle with the Ninja.

It's fast paced and exciting with enough exploitation to make it special.