Lobo Solitário - Contra os Ventos da Morte

This one and "Peril" are by far my favorites. In the opening scenes we see Ogami wipe out three ninja and it must be seen to be believed. I particularly liked the character development in this film. Itto meets Magomura Kanbei, a disgraced ronin much like himself. It appears Kanbei has a death wish and the reason is uncertain until the end of the movie. He is a very interesting character. Ogami is tortured by yakuza to save a prostitute who killed a pimp in self defense and this is how he is led to his next commission. Great story, and action that is second to none. His quick draw in one scene is so fast I swore the film was sped up. Well, it wasn't. The man is that good. Another plus, there's Hamada Yuko. She is one good-looking woman. This is a very enjoyable movie that can be viewed many times and it never gets old.

A step down from the first two films in the series, with a story that felt more disjoint, had flashbacks that didn't really add anything, and which lagged several times. Rape is used yet again as a plot device, and when a guy tidies up the crime by murdering the mother and daughter afterwards, he's congratulated for behavior which "befits a samurai," which was uncomfortable, even considering the moral conflict that runs through the series. There are a few nice outdoor shots, but there's a long 40 minute stretch in the middle that's all indoors, and overall it's not nearly as scenic as the previous film. The penultimate battle with what amounts to an army has a few interesting surprises, but the final clash is weirdly drawn out and anti-climactic. I'm not sure if cranking these out so quickly had something to do with it (this was #3 of 4 released in 1972), but the quality level of this one is lower.

These movies were infamous for their incredibly brutal and bloody swordplay sequences, but equally impressive IMHO was the leading actor- Tomisaburo Wakayama a.k.a. "Lone Wolf" was surely the greatest martial arts star ever. The command and authority with which he wielded a sword (and other weapons) was just phenomenal. The blade truly was an extension of himself, and his use of it was the definition of lethal, with none of the unnecessary/show-off flourishes so desperately thrown about by today's wannabes. He had incredible presence and charisma- easily on a par with the likes of say Eastwood or Bronson- with eyes that reflected pure death, and the desolation in his soul. There were moments in the "Babycart" series where you'd swear he was the personification of his namesake, the Wolf. You never doubted for one second that he WAS shogun executioner, masterless samurai, assassin for hire. One look at him in action, and you could readily understand why his enemies trembled at the mention of his name, and ran from him in sheer terror. Alas, Lone Wolf is one with void now, but his legend will live on forever in these films.

Forget Toshiro Mifune. Forget Takakura Ken. Forget Sonny Chiba. Forget Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Donnie Yen, and any of those wire-reliant ballet dancers from Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. And CERTAINLY forget any American martial artists that you could care to name. Tomisaburo Wakayama was, is, and forever shall be, THE MAN!

The 'Lone Wolf And Cub' series continues with its third outing, this time seeing its eponymous assassins help out an unwilling would-be prostitute by taking her place for punishment. It's probably the most 'noble' thing that its stoic anti-hero has done thus far, even if volunteering for torture seems far less convenient than just killing his aggressors (which we know he is capable of doing and usually willing to do so). After this, the assassins (yes, Diagoro is an accessory to most of the killings) are given the task of taking out a corrupt official, which leads to an absolutely fantastic finale that sees the pair take on what's seemingly a hundred foes at once. As usual, the baby cart has a few surprises in store for the protagonist's enemies (which also includes a string of assassins sent by the Yagyu clan they crossed in their first outing); this time, we're treated to possibly the best, most outlandish one yet. It's really this final movement that makes the affair as successful as it is. Though its overall story is a bit scatterbrained (I haven't even mentioned the third plot-line about a mercenary who wants to die an honourable death), 'Lone Wolf And Cub: Baby Cart To Hades (1972)' comes together in a satisfying and smile-inducing climactic battle that raises the quality of the entire effort. Before this, the film is somewhat meandering and, in a way, a little light on the bloodletting you expect from the series. It also doesn't have a solid through-line and, essentially, feels like more of the same. There's also an unnecessary and somewhat dodgy rape scene early on that lasts for far too long; it's the sort of sequence that seems to be aiming for the specific crowd that enjoys seeing that sort of stuff, which is a crowd I don't want anywhere near me. Still, the movie (which is an exploitation piece from the early seventies) is undeniably enjoyable when its focus is in the right place. It's a short, almost inconsequential action flick with a hint of stoic philosophy and a lot of dead bodies. 6/10

You know when in sequels (this being the third movie in the series), certain things get an upgrade without any explanation? Well this happens with the baby cart here. And the baby is quite tech savvy ... or let's say participates more in the fights. Sort of, which is a nice touch. And I actually had to laugh out loud during the last battle, well at the start of it, when ... well you'll see and understand when you see what they do ... amazing.

And quite ridiculous, but that is what the movies are about. Blood gushes, squirts in very big fashion. Nudity and other things included. And our macho hero in the center of all of it. Do not take the movies for real and try to remember they are fiction, not telling you how to do things or be educational in any way, shape or form! It is imperative to never forget that, because otherwise you'd be close to cancel those movies. Sleaze and down and dirty nature is what they relish on. You may despise that (I am actually surprised that the rating is so high, but it probably only means, that only those who are not easily offended watched them), which is ok, but don't deny them others, who can differentiate ...