LONE WOLF & CUB: Sword of Vengeance


Title: LONE WOLF & CUB: Sword of Vengeance
Rating: 4/5
Genre: Action/Drama
Language: Japanese (Eng. Subs)

Ogami Itto: You would've been happier if you'd chosen to join your mother in her world.

Based on a long running and extremely popular comic, Sword of Vengeance is the story of Ogami Itto, the Shogun’s second, and official executioner. Framed by the scheming Yagyu clan as a traitor, who also murder his beloved wife, Itto is forced to flee with his only son (Daigoro). Living in exile, Itto assumes the role of Ronin (masterless samurai), and becomes a sword for hire. He does this while all along pushing Daigoro around in a baby cart. This basic plot serves mainly as an introduction to its protagonists, and a jumping off point for the rest of the series. But the story stands on it’s own just the same.

The initial entry in the epic tale of the Lone Wolf, one is initially struck by the stunning cinematography. The film looks as if it was shot yesterday, even though it was released in 1972!! Rich color, superb framing of the varied set pieces, and beautiful depictions of the wonderful 17th century Japanese countryside combine to make this a pleasing visual feast. The sumptuous photography is only one of the many pluses that elevate this picture into classic terrain however.

While the dramatic elements of the film have much to recommend them (the acting is excellent, Tomisabura Wakayama’s stoic “Itto” being a charismatic and forceful presence), the main reason to watch these films is the frequent and dazzling swordplay. The choreography is sturdy and believable ( no flying from treetop to treetop in this one), the staging exciting and well executed. A warning is due for the weak of heart however. This picture (and indeed the rest of the series) is EXTREMELY bloody. Decapitation, disembowelment, and dismemberment are always part of the battle scenes (we ARE talking about sword fighting here), and the blood flows freely and often. Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill series owes much to this series, especially the infamous battle between The Bride and the Crazy 88.

The soundtrack is composed of traditional Japanese folk, played on traditional instruments, with the occasional fuzzed out power chord from electric guitar. It is sparingly used, indeed the entire sound for the picture being sparse and relegated to bare necessity. This is quite effective however, as the music highlights dramatic elements of the film, and the frequent silence serves to create an introspective tension. Itto is a man of few words, and speaks through his actions. The soundtrack mirrors this.

A stunning and truly exciting example of fine Japanese film making, Sword of Vengeance sits in good company with the very best of the samurai ilk. While not as lyrical or poetic as Kurosawa, it is a smart and moving drama, with copious martial combat to spice up the proceedings. Not the best of the series, but a stellar beginning that leaves the viewer gasping for more.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Female Prisoner: Scorpion

Image
Title: Female Prisoner: Scorpion Rating: 4/5 Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime Starring: Meiko Kaji, Rie Yokoyama, Isao Natsuyagi Director: Shunya Ito Language: Japanese It was the 70s that saw the rise in Japanese grindhouse cinema (also known as ‘Pinky Violence); tired of the very ‘traditional’ style of many local films, and with the rise in success of Hollywood titles such as ‘Dirty Harry’ and ‘The Great Escape,’ a new wave of daring and experimental directors came to light. Armed with a low budget and all the influences of the early Western grindhouse cheap gore flicks, they combined it with traditional Japanese film-making sensibilities to create a style that somehow succeeded in being both artistic in style whilst retaining those cheap traditions such as gratuitous nudity and violence to result in something rather unique. And it was with this, the first instalment in the ‘Female Prisoner’ series, that would influence a wave known as ‘Women in Prison’ films; with a strong the
Read more

Slasher Hunter

Image
Title: Slasher Hunter (2011) Rating: 3/5 Genre: Horror, Comedy Starring: Chad Phillips, Derek Rothermund, Ryan Sullivan Director: Steve Rudzinski Duration: 35 mins Four pals are planning to have a great weekend of sex and brews in an old cabin in the woods. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “this is the exact set up to every slasher movie from ‘79 to ‘99; this can’t end well.” Well our group of campers have thought of that, that’s why they brought sci-fi nerd Lee along for the ride who carries within him the so-called “survivor gene.” This special gene helps prevent him from being the unfortunate victim of any slasher maniacs that may be lurking about. Unfortunately this gene is also highly coveted by a group of the most dastardly slashers around: Frank, Larry, Jay, Charles, Pleatherface, and Puzzle (I didn’t say their names were very dastardly, did I?). It’s up to a renegade, federally-employed Slasher Hunter to thwart the slashers’ plan and save Lee and his friends before it’
Read more

Chinese Erotic Ghost Story

Image
Title: Chinese Erotic Ghost Story Original Title: Yuk lui liu chai Genre: Comedy, Exploitation Rating: 2.5/5 Starring: Ben Ko Chu, Chun Chung, Siu Wan Hung Director: Kin-Nam Cho Language: Chinese It's always a little tricky to think how these sort of films should be rated; from the title it's apparent that they aren't perhaps the most creative when it comes to titles, though if nothing else it certainly is an accurate one, with perhaps some mention of how batshit insane the bizarre events of the actual film are being the only thing missing. It all kicks off rather normally; Chu is introduced as the debt collector working for an asshole of a King with a beautiful mistress, two beautiful daughters and an even prettier wife, whilst he's stuck with a woman who sleeps 20 hours a day and spends the remaining four awake eating. Caught in the embrace of one of the King's daughters he's punished with the task of entering Satan's Temple and stealing the statu
Read more