Kozure Ôkami: Oya no kokoro ko no kokoro

I am a huge fan of samurai movies and for fans of the genre, this will not disappoint. For newcomers too, this film has much to offer, by the way of a great storyline and fantastic swordplay. The story is particularly sensitive and heartfelt compared to other Lone Wolf And Cub films, and is a wonderful example of Japanese mentality that there is no black-and-white. I loved the character of Oyuki, she has great depth and feeling to her and I felt myself rooting for both her and Lone Wolf, despite the fact that he is hired to kill her. Top class Samurai film. 5/5.

Another Lone Wolf and Cub film, another movie that does not take any prisoners. The story of our main character continues, but we start with a different character alltogether. And this woman is quite the killer ... literally. And she also is naked ... well from the waist up! But just to show her ... tattoos of course.

Kidding aside, if you are easily offended this and the amount of blood will quite do the job for you. Better not watch is what I'd say. Of course after that furious beginning there is some story and character things we have to go through. You can't have mayhem after mayhem ... well you could, but it works better that way. Some flashbacks too and all that coincides with that. Enjoyable if you can dig it

This movie is the four in the series and continues the exploits of Ogami Itto and son as they continue there quest for vengeance against Lord Retsudo. Hired to kill Oyuki (deadly female martial artist) for his standard 500 gold pieces, this movie follows the by now normal storyline of flying ninjas, one on one sword duels and mass army destruction that would put a John Woo movie to shame, throw in the vast amount of blood and this movie is a classic within the series. These things in themselves do add to the overall plot and character development within the movie and that the cinematography helps to places with in the action right from the start (although some slight lighting problems do occur). The similarities between this movie and certain spaghetti westerns (Fist Full Of Dollars) is unmistakable. Overall a must see for both fans of martial arts and western movies.

The fourth in the long-running LONE WOLF & CUB series that so far shows no sign of flagging. BABY CART IN PERIL has everything that made the previous films so memorable: iconic characters, humour, sharply drawn personalities, a straightforward plot and battle sequences delivered with gusto. As with the last two films, this one features a memorable female warrior, in this case a woman covered in tattoos, who provides a more in-depth adversary for Ogami instead of his more cartoonish foes. The plot, as usual, details strands of honour and duty, while at the same time reintroducing Ogami's chief enemy, Lord Retsudo, who was noticeable absent in the last instalment.

There is a slight difference in the film-making which may be down to this film having a different director to the last. The style is perhaps more evident, and Ogami displays touches of emotion and weakness that seem slightly out of place. Nevertheless, the film is superbly shot and ably holds its down in what is turning out to be a superlative series. The vivid battle sequences are exceptional, with Ogami de-limbing inhuman foes in one stand-out sequence, as well as facing his most mortal threat – a gun-toting army – in the wildly exciting and vividly violent climax. Perhaps not the best in the series, this is still a cut above the rest.

Number four in the series and a new director but the product is still well up to scratch. Not sure I would necessarily have noticed the change at the helm so seamlessly does this continue the theme but there is a little more stress upon the vulnerability both of the main protagonist and his cub. Fire also features here, with a blazing sword, whatever that might mean and an amazingly shot blazing field that surrounds the young cub. Elephant in the room here though is the tattooed lady. Absolutely magnificent designs front and back of the bare lady assassin and these are to have their desired affect in the combat to come, even if her bare breasts wouldn't be distracting enough. So, much as before with a little extra and wonderfully photographed throughout. The ending is not unlike that of the previous outing but even here just a little bit extra for our continued astonishment and pleasure.