Set in sixteenth century Japan this film opens a group of Iga Ninjas attacking an Oda castle. After blowing it up they must fight off a group of rival ninjas. Then on the way back to their village they see a ball of fire in the sky. After returning home they are ordered to investigate the fireball. In the forests they encounter more rival ninjas but something attacks and wipes out the enemy; they have no idea what this monster is or where it came from but they know they have to defeat it. For the rest of the film they battle these alien monsters.
During the opening scene I started to think that this might be terrible; as we were introduced to our protagonists; Yamata, the leader; Jinnai, his friend with a diamond stud in one ear; Rin, a sexy female ninja and Nezumi, a blond haired cowardly ninja I was sure my fears had just been confirmed... then something strange happened; I realised that I was gripped. The characters may have been somewhat ridiculous but they were also a lot of fun. Likewise the monsters may have been the most obvious 'men in rubber suits' since early 'Doctor Who' but they were still surprisingly menacing. The action was over the top and pretty bloody, with heads being severed and squashed and one ninja ripped in two. There are a few surprises; most notably when we learn what the monsters can do to some of their victims. The cast do a solid enough job; they clearly know they aren't in a great film but still made an effort; they particularly impress during the numerous fight scenes. Overall I'd say this won't be for everybody; being objective it is a bit rubbish but being subjective it is a lot more fun than it has any right to be... I'd recommend it to anybody wanting a fun monster movie with action, gore and laughs!
These comments are based on watching the film in Japanese with English subtitles.
During the opening scene I started to think that this might be terrible; as we were introduced to our protagonists; Yamata, the leader; Jinnai, his friend with a diamond stud in one ear; Rin, a sexy female ninja and Nezumi, a blond haired cowardly ninja I was sure my fears had just been confirmed... then something strange happened; I realised that I was gripped. The characters may have been somewhat ridiculous but they were also a lot of fun. Likewise the monsters may have been the most obvious 'men in rubber suits' since early 'Doctor Who' but they were still surprisingly menacing. The action was over the top and pretty bloody, with heads being severed and squashed and one ninja ripped in two. There are a few surprises; most notably when we learn what the monsters can do to some of their victims. The cast do a solid enough job; they clearly know they aren't in a great film but still made an effort; they particularly impress during the numerous fight scenes. Overall I'd say this won't be for everybody; being objective it is a bit rubbish but being subjective it is a lot more fun than it has any right to be... I'd recommend it to anybody wanting a fun monster movie with action, gore and laughs!
These comments are based on watching the film in Japanese with English subtitles.