Customer Reviews

Ninja Assassin [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(79)
4 star:		(36)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

1. Are you a fan of the ninja mythos? If yes, continue
2. Do you like awesomely executed choreography and to be Entertained? IF yes, go on
3. Are you one of those people that sit back and watch ALL movies looking to be enlightened on the meaning of life and anything that doesn't make you think disgust you? If yes, Stop, you don't belong here. If yes, Continue...

When this movie was being thought up, there was one thing on the mind of the director. "How can I bring back the love of ninjas that I had as a young child?" His answer was to create this movie and update the premise of the ninja with the many cool things that have been done with the genre since the old days of Sho Kosugi's Revenge of the Ninja. This means, take all of the mythological aspects of the ninja:
Shadow walking (or melding with shadows)
The mind of a Ninja (Classic training Sequences that exist in all Martial Flicks
Wicked Sword play and creative use of weaponry
Agility beyond what normal humans have
Add in a little Ninja Magic and Jutsu
= ENTER NINJA ASSASSIN

As with all great movies and concepts this film excels at one thing in particular, Mixing Genres. Within the first 5 minutes of the story, you will realize that you aren't dealing with a strict action movie. There is a great blend of Horror, Suspense, Comedy, and down right Awesomeness. As with all action movies there are some things that people consider weak with the plot but lets not get ahead of ourselves. If you go into an action movie looking to see Schindlers List, you will be disappointed. This movie was made strictly to entertain. If it does not do that for you, then you have no blood in your veins or you should go see twilight and look at the debauchery of vampire myth and swoon over the skin of a killer. Seeing Sho Kosugi again after all these years is amazing, and to see that he is still just as awesome as he was in the 80s when I was a child is Inspirational. Everyone does their job in the film acting wise, and After months of training and choreography and turning his body into a killing machine, Rain pulls it all together. I have actually read the script for this movie and there are some things that I hope are included with the blu ray. The ideas that are touched on in the film would make great stories in themselves and I for one hope that this implies that the Ninja Renaissance is upon us. Its been too long.

The only thing you get from this movie is visceral action, classic ninja cinema, and a plot that fits the moment.

A lot of people went into this movie thinking that they were going to go see the next Matrix film, as they do with any film that has the Wachowskis banner on it somewhere. This has lead to a lot of films by them and their protege McTiegue being overlooked. The biggest crime being the bad press that Speed Racer Received even though it was one of the best family movies ever. Buy Ninja Assassin and you will not be disappointed.

OMG, I had no idea Rain was playing Raizo until the day before I went to watch the movie. I have to say that I was pleasantly suprised by his transformation from boy band hotty to Hot Ninja Assasin! I know he must have worked his butt off to get that body lean enough to do some of the actions in this movie. If you love blood/gore and ninja action then you will definately enjoy this movie. The synopsis was mentioned in the previous review so I won't go into that again, but I will say that the working chemistry between Rain and Naomi in this movie was relaxed and not ackward like in some movies in this genre like kiss of the dragon or Romeo must die where I get the feeling the actor/actress is acting rather than in a natural state of being. Sounds weird but I definately noticed the difference. I hope to see Rain in more lead roles, he makes one hellofa ninja.

"Ninja Assassin" opens with a very bloody action sequence, in which a gang of Japanese yakuza mobsters are murdered by a deadly ninja. The assassin's attack is much faster than Uma Thurman's heroine in "Kill Bill Vol.1." The killer (or killers) is silent and almost invisible and the gangsters have no chance from the beginning. The scene ends with severed heads and limbs in a pool of blood. We don't know why they should be killed, but we do know we are in for an extremely gory action flick.

But we have to wait for that action to happen. The over-the-top violence is followed by the not-so-impressive storyline, in which Europol agent Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris) investigates a series of assassinations that she suspects are related to a mysterious clan of ninjas. In the meanwhile, we are introduced to a man named Raizo (Rain), who lives alone in an apartment room almost bare of furniture.

"Ninja Assassin" is a modern-day version of Grade-B ninja action movies, with special effects and martial arts stunts. Ozunu, a very strict leader of the clan, is played by Shô Kosugi, star of the cult ninja films during the 1980s. Hero's name Raizo reminds us of Ichikawa Raizo, Japanese actor best known for his role of the swordsman Nemuri Kyoshiro. The film is helmed by James McTeigue, director of "V for Vendetta."

The intention of the producers (including Joel Silver, Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski) is clear - a cool and edgy ninja action film updated for the new generation. Sadly they forgot one thing: action. The stunts themselves are decent, but set-pieces are marred by choppy editing. The narrative is uneven and awkward with too many flashbacks. Actors did a fine job, but James McTeigue is not ready for this kind of big action flick, relying too much on CGI-created blood and weapons.

Though it is one of the critically bashed films released in 2009, "Ninja Assassin" is not as bad as you might be led to believe. The idea of modern ninja action film is not bad. It only needs a better director.

A skilled assassin who was trained by a mythical secret society, and patiently awaits the day he will avenge the death of his best friend. Swept off the streets as a young boy, Raizo is transformed into an unstoppable killing machine by a secret society known as the Ozunu Clan. The Ozunu Clan is so proficient at keeping their existence a secret that most people think they are only a myth, but the moment Ozuno assassins kill Raizo's friend, their days in the shadows are numbered. In the aftermath of that killing, Raizo stages a daring escape, subsequently biding his time until the day he can take the entire Ozunu Clan down. Visually this movie is incredible. It's unlike anything you've ever seen. The fighting is quick, furious and the story although not completely involving is involving enough so that you kinda like the characters. What this movie does explosively well is decapitate, disembowel and explode it's victims across it's blood soaked screen. It's an exciting piece of cinematic brilliance. It delivers on its title, wicked weapons, killer moves and bloody battles at its all-time best.

This film could have been really good if they just dialed back the CGI.
In fact, the film just took too many things a step too far.
If I were a 14 yr old boy, i'd probably think this was the best ninja movie ever.
Unfortunately, I'm in my 30s and have half a brain.

Film feels more like "anime" than a movie. In fact, it probably would have been better if it were anime. The story, feel, and violence is just too cartoony to work in the real world. Including the contrived ending.

If you are in the mood for completely mindless action and a story that feels a tad
forced, then by all means, get this movie. Otherwise, this is an easy pass.

amnightus

this movie is not ment for people with weak sotmaches. although this is a great movie. best seen in HD

Raizo (played by Rain), an orphan, was taken to a secret ninja training camp run by the Ozunu Clan when he was just a boy. After years of harsh, even deadly, training, Raizo was brought up to be the greatest ninja of the clan, even one who would one day take it over as leader.

While a child and through his growing-up years, he befriends Kiriko (Anna Sawai) and she is just as strong-willed as he is except where he lacks feeling, she has a heart and doesn't agree with all the clan teaches. When Kiriko tries to escape, Raizo sees what it truly means to be a member of the Ozunu Clan and from then on follows his own path to take the clan down.

Enlisting the help of a Europol agent, Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris), together they try and bring the clan to justice. However, not is all what it seems and the Ozunu Clan has plans of their own. Led by Raizo's brother, Takeshi (Rick Yune), the two are hunted, and only after the swords stop slicing and the blood cools will a victor be decided.

This movie is hardcore, man. There's really no other word for it. Total and utter blood-soaked craziness that reminded me of Mortal Kombat (the game). I was just waiting for a low, ominous voice to say "Fatality." Awesome.

The kung fu in this flick is intense, especially the swordplay. Those bladed fights were among some of the best I've seen, right up there with the stuff in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Rain looked brilliant, his body and demeanor as hard as steel. More than once was I reminded of Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon with the way he moved. The flashback sequences also worked well and really added to Raizo's back story and firmly cemented us in his psyche so we know why he fights the way he does, why he's on the path he's on, and what motivates him as a ninja. Well done.

What I especially liked in this movie was the ninjas' mystique and their power, namely the part about them being one with the shadows and the paranoia those being hunted had with the dark. The idea of always keeping the lights on and bright was a great way to play this up. The ninja-morphing with the shadows was also cool, giving the impression that these guys, after all that training, have become something more than human.

This is just one crazy bloodbath of a movie. Non-stop action. Amazing sword battles. Cool enough story to string one fight scene to the next.

Ninja Assassin is the definition of a martial arts flick.

Yeah, go check it out. Definitely.

A.P. Fuchs
Canister X

I've seen a bunch of ninja movies from the 80's on and so far, this is THE best ninja movie ever. Awesome fight scenes and sequences, great sound quality and Sho Kosugi is in it. If you haven't heard of him imdb him and you'll know why he's famous. I give the storyline 4 out of 5 but the overall movie action sequence puts this in the 5 scale. I love ancient martial arts being brought back in the modern world. If you love ninja action movies, this is a must see.

I bought this movie just from seeing the trailer and it was worth it. The action and fighting scenes were great. My wife thought it was too gross with the body chopping off and flying everywhere but I enjoyed it. I haven't seen many ninja films before, mostly kung fu fighting such as Jet Li and Jackie Chan movie but this one is as good. The star action "Rain", I only heard of him once, but he sold me on the fighting. The training for the actor was excellent since I knew he worked hard to make it looked great on film. Definately recommending this.

What a movie,this is a must see!
The action is so detailed,way up spectacular!
I had no idea what i was in for,the first time i've viewed it when it came out,now seeing it for the second time,all the action,car chashes,bloody fights,and i mean bloody,the whipping of the chained knife,and more the ninjas popping in and out of the dark,
not knowing when they will appear,all seems so fresh.
one of the best scenes,and there are many, was when Raizo was chased down the street in heavy traffic by one of the warriors,ok the hole car chase scene from the beinging! fast action thru out the film.
I injoyed the action,and relationship between Raizo,and the two female characters,from when Raizo was a child all the way up to when he meets female agent(Naomie Harris)which was in 28 Days Later,and Miami Vice Movie.
The back ground colors,were all done very well to pull you into the movie action,and the characters atmosphere.
You won't go wrong buying this collectable movie,you won't!