Search - Shinobi: The Law of Shinobi on DVD

Storms brew when Shinobi quarrel!

P. A Clark | San Jose, CA USA | 12/08/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Shinobi was a good film and follows the life of the ninja like Shinobi.

The film starts with Kagerou being recognized as the best of the lower class Shinobi in his clan. For this, he is given a mission to eliminate one of the master's enemy's in another clan. He is allowed to choose one assistant, and he chooses Aoi, a female Shinobi. He chooses Aoi not because she is the best, but because he can trust her the most. Since Kagerou is the masters new pet, many of the lower class Shinobi are jealous of him and can't be trusted. Kagerou is succesful, and as a result, is despised more by his fellow Shinobi. Aoi is also approached by Shuzuun, the leader of the lower class Shinobi. He tells her to stay away from Kagerou, and wishes her to become his mistress. Aoi refuses however, so Shusuun has Aoi's cousin Kazume raped and killed in front of her. Aoi manages to escape with some help from Kagerou. She then flees the village with the intention of not returning.

Later, Kagerou is asked by his master to get Aoi back(since it's a crime to be a "runaway" Shinobi) Shuzuun is also after Aoi to silence her about his treachorous act. However,the master of the clan is really aware of Shuzuun as a threat, since he has a group of followers who could over throw the heiarchy of the clan. He really wishes Kagerou to eliminate Shuzuun. Kagerou finds Aoi again, and she tells him that she won't return because she'd either be killed, or forced to live as Shuzuun's mistress. Kagerou does not wish her to be a run away however, so he decides to help her confront Shuzuun, which they do. There is a final showdown between the two heros, and Shuzuun's group in the end.

Shinobi was obviously a low budgeted film, but the story line holds together well and makes you disregard that fact. The characters do a good job with their roles, and I found the idea of lives of Shinobis much more appealing than that of the Samurai. Samurai films tend to be slow and complicated. This film is much easier to follow and is more interesting in my opinion. This is also not the end of the story of Aoi and Kagerou. This is volume one, which implies there will be a volume two.

Now for the down sides. The action after the opening sequence is not that refined. Aoi in particular does not appear to have any real martial arts skill. Also, the rape scene was far to explicit. They showed more than they needed too, and it seemed out of place in the film as far as the content. In fact, ADV includes a little apology in the extra features section for it.(although I beleive it refers to the literal dub translation which makes a joke out of it) There are also some points where chezzy jokes are made throughout the film.

As I said, ADV is the release company for this film, and they offer both Japanese and English language tracks on the disc.(real dub is done ok/literal is for amusment mostly) They also include several trailers of anime films and a literal English dub translation of Shinobi(which I've refered to) that comes out funny. Regular version is more serious.

Overall I did like the film, but really disliked the rape scene. It really puts the film in the category of an R rating, and it could have been implied instead of shown so graphically. That is one reason for a loss of a star for me. The other is the action. Not as good as the action in Versuses or the Princess Blade. But I'd say if you like ninja style stories or anime, this may appeal to you. Just don't watch it with a female viewer. They'll be turned off by the violence to Kazume."

I kindof liked it

Cesar Guevara | New Jersey | 11/21/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The movie was good, though there were not really judo moves or stealth ( Like ninjas do, I guess. ). Still the movie is good none the less. The sword play and fight scenes are different, I guess it's trying to do some chinese swordplay and wu sho style. It doesn't change the fact that it was the best movie I have seen."