Six-String Samurai

This film can best be described as a post-apocalyptic spaghetti western samurai fantasy. Our hero is a taciturn Buddy Holly look-alike traveling with samurai sword and six string guitar as he treks across scenic Death Valley on his way to America's last outpost of civilization, Lost Vegas, where he expects to be coronated as the new King, Elvis having died without naming a successor. Accompanying him is a stereotypical post-apocalyptic bleating child snatched right out of "Fistful of Dollars". Buddy slices and dices his way through an evil bowling team, the Russian army, would-be usurpers to the throne, and anyone else who gets in his way. The music is good and it's wonderfully filmed, so have some fun and enjoy the ride.

"six-string samurai" seems very reminiscent of many of the bruce lee, post-apocalyptic movies that i have grown to know and love. although it follows many of the formulaic styles used in said films (i.e. repeated scenes of kicking enemies down, dubbed & cheesy japanese anime-like dialogue, survivors mocking utopian models of "perfect" families, etc), it followed its own swinging tune with bad guy slashing and flowing sword fighting.

although many might not like this movie, i recommend it only if you are having an "independent/anime movie fest".

This movie has so many faults. But why do I love it so much? First off the position of the bad guys is never really explained. I mean who exactly are the windmill people? What makes Buddy flip around when the kid cries? (Amen to the reviewer who mentioned the kid's psychotic episode inducing moan) Just what exactly happened at the end? The music is great but at certain times does not feel fitting for the situation. Buddy repeats the same lines over and over as if that will make them cooler. (ex. Float away little butterfly, swell, etc.)

However, there is so much to love. The instant Falcon appeared on the screen as Buddy, the kung fu rocker, I was amazed. I kept thinking to myself, "dang, this guy is awesome". The scenery and photography is gorgeous. As to a comment about erotic photography I did notice that there was a similar scene. Buddy and the kid are standing on opposite sand dunes. It looks like a pair of boobs to me, but that's just me.

As for the guy that complains that Death was given a wussy guitar, that seems to be the point to me. Heavy Metal is contrasted with Rockabilly and Surf Guitar. The director obviously prefers the latter, and so do I.

The dubbed voices are cheesy, but that doesn't make it any less cool. I loved the too short segment involving the "windmill god" himself. But what was with that kid who kept saying, "Tag! You're It!" To get all the nuances of the film you probably have to be an anime, hong kong, mad max, Sergio Leone junkie. I liked the fact that the movie was bloodless. It helps to keep the fun factor high.

This movie is just what the world needs. Meteor destroying the Earth, bah! A pale remake of a giant rampaging lizard, forget it. Take a trip back to the fifties when rock was revolutionary.

First, the bad stuff. The film will not appeal to people who can't deal with camp, with pure Lynch-like strangeness, or people who demand a big budget production.

However, those who are willing to give an oddball film a chance will find this to be a real gem of an indie flick. Imagine if you will Buddy Holly, Mad Max, and Jet Li bundled into one character, fighting across a desolate warped postapocalyptic Nevada. The dynamics in the movie are all about conflict... Rock & Roll against Metal, Communism against Capitalism, bravery versus despair. Mix that in with "Weird West" touches, demented nuclear families, and warriors who duel with both blade and guitar. There is even a hint of the manga, "Lone Wolf and Cub" thrown in. That and some excellent Russian-influenced rockabilly.

Some of the scenes fall flat, sure... but few movies try to reach for such imaginative and demented heights... and few succeed to this extend on a shoestring budget. Despite its shortcomings, the action sequences are exciting and well-done, and one really sees an American Apocalypse which never was -- but in some ways happened, in our heads, at least.

I had the rare honor of viewing this movie on Sunset the week it came out...and watching what was the accumulation of massive amounts of hard work...I thoroughly enjoyed the film...It's so original it's frightening...The choreography and a perfect mix of acid surf music thrust you on this adrenalin surged ride..that has been influenced by everything...Buddy(our hero) is the love child of Clint Eastwood, Mr.Blonde and Stephen Dorf. The sword play is incredible...but Jeffrey Falcon's acting could use some work...but, hey...who's watching the acting... He slices! He dices!...He goes through an entire hillside of Russian soldiers!...This movie is great following a night on the town...!