Red Shadow

After Samurai Fiction this is another attempt at pushing a classical Japanese movie genre in the new century. Even the bad guy from the before mentioned movie has a cameo with what seemed to be the same character. Without getting in the story too deep, it's quite complex and with my limited understanding of Japanese I couldn't catch every twist of it. But it was great fun all the same. It delivers fast editing, new style martial arts and a sound track of electronic and guitars that fits very well the fast paced action-sequences. I hope to see a subtitled version someday so I'd understand a little more of what's going on and why, but I strongly recommend it, if only for the looks of it.

My first impression of seeing Akakage (Red Shadow), was that the story was simply a satire of ninja movies. The Cinematography is quite good, and exemplifies many earlier examples of Japanese Cinema with their frequent use of nature interlude shots. The film seemed childish at first, in the manner in which the characters were portrayed.

But upon reviewing the film again, I noted that it was actually more child-like. There was a mature comedic sense of what a child loves in a film about ninjas and samurai sword fights. I could appreciate the nostalgic sense of the old samurai films that was ably caught. The villains seem comic in many ways, and yet there is more than 1 dimension to the group of them. The use of anachronism in the film was to me particularly funny. I won't provide any spoilers, because they are readily apparent when you encounter them in viewing the film.

Anyways, if you want a light movie for Saturday night viewing with the kids, or with friends gathered around a bowl of popcorn, and want a good offbeat romantic adventure film, this is certainly one to try.

Based on Yokoyama Mitsuteru's 60's manga series and its subsequent TV Adaptation "Kamen No Ninja - Akakage" (Masked Ninja - Red Shadow; Toei/Kansai TV, 1967), "Red Shadow" is an interesting remake that modernizes Japan's Feudal Past in much the same way as `Wild Wild West' did to American's Frontier History and `League of Extraordinary Gentlemen' did to Europe's Industrial Past. Director Nakano Hiroyuki certainly has a neat sense of style and constructs elaborate and interesting action sequences. While not as over-the-top as the recent `Azumi', `Red Shadow' still is a visual wonder. Masanobu Ando puts in a good performance as the title character but it is singers-turned-actors Hotei Tomoyasu, Jinnai Takanori, Fuji Fumiya and Shinohara Ryoko who impress the most with their performances. Actresses Kumiko Aso and Okina Megumi are stunning as the love interests to Akakage and certainly brighten the screen with their appearances. While Akakage is certainly not in the same league as movies such as `Makai Tensho' (Samurai Reincarnation;1981), `Satomi Hakkenden' (Legend of The Eight Samurai; 1984), or `Jubei Ninpocho' (Ninja Scroll; 1995) I definitely liked the film. `Akakage' is unapologetic in its style and reworking of history but I found its interpretations wonderfully entertaining if a bit flawed.

The movie has a great look - the Ninja costumes are incredible with black armor and leather. The gymnastic style martial art feats are amazing. The humorous style reminded me of Ninja Turtles. Picture Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as humans in black ninja costumes and you have an idea at the kind of playful comedy banter and rivalry there is between the characters. I really enjoyed this one. I would like to see other work by this writer and director. I would even love to see a sequel to this film. If you are looking for a serious film about ninjas then this is probably not the one for you, but if you are looking for a light-hearted, fresh, humorous film on the subject then see Red Shadow now.

I was looking forward to this flick since the main character was played by Ando Masanobu, who made an impressive job and performance as "Kiriyama Kazuo" in Fukasaku Kinji's now to be considered cult film "Battle Royale" which was just shot the year before "Red Shadow".

The movie itself is not the typical ninja flick, so anyone running to the box office with this piece in mind looking for raw violence and beautiful fighting scenes and such probably will get disappointed. Instead, the flick is spiced up with a humorous approach to things and there is more weight put upon comedy and love than on ninja stunts (and those stunts that are, are quite silly to be honest - but that's how they were meant as well, I'd say!). I thought the story development at times was a little bit weird but I hopefully ended up with figuring it all out. Ando makes a neat performance, although not near as good as in "BR" but this role is quite different, too, and perhaps that has an take on things, too.

6/10 for this Toei production, an OK piece of entertainment a Sunday evening.