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SHINOBI – HEART UNDER BLADE (ADVANCE REVIEW) |
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Thursday, 01 February 2007 |
 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT | | | ▪ | ASPECT RATIO: | | 16:9 ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN | | | ▪ | AUDIO: | | ENGLISH AND JAPANESE DD 5.1 | | | ▪ | RUNNING TIME: | | 102 MIN | | | ▪ | RATING: | | R | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 02/06/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 02/02/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
In the early 1600s, Japan has survived the Warring States Era and is united under the rule of Ieyasu Tokugawa. Yet he fears the threat of two clans of Shinobi that exist. The Iga and the Kouga are both ninja clans of inhuman powers. They have sustained a strained truce for nearly 500 years. Now the devious machinations of Ieyasu’s court will set them against each other. Five warriors from each clan are chosen to face each other to the death and in so doing decide the fate of the heir to the Shogunate. However, this is a façade, for underneath this plan is a far more malevolent plot to destroy both clans. In the middle of this battle are the hearts and lives of two lovers, caught in the middle of history and a tragic fate.
The beautiful Oboro is chosen to lead the Iga while her beloved, the handsome Gennosuke, is chosen to lead the Kouga in what will be a battle of wit and supernatural might to try to save them all. Yet even though shinobi are warriors, living weapons, this battle leads some of them to question why they must fight in this time of peace, while others within their ranks hunger for blood.
This riveting dramatic action film is based on the internationally popular novel The Kouga Ninja Scrolls written by Futaro Yamada. Many fans might recognize the manga and anime versions of the novel called which goes by the name Basilisk. The film does an excellent job of keeping to the main themes and pivotal plot points of the overall story while diverging in some ways for the necessity of a feature length film. It is 5 vs. 5 rather than 10 vs. 10 (no doubt due to length constraints represented by the movie). Much that occurs at the beginning of the novel is left out of the film as it focuses primarily on the main characters of Gennosuke and Oboro. When the battles begin on the road, they happen fast and furious and one after the other tragedy strikes at each of the shinobi. The film does a great job of capturing the tragedy of the main characters, bound by honor and duty. Yet the secondary characters are also given some moments to display the despair of their lives. This is best exemplified by Kagero as she portrays one of the most tragic figures in this needless war.
The story is a powerful one and well told through breathtaking cinematography which displays visually stunning landscapes and spectacular vistas. Joe Odagiri as Gennosuke is unlike his novel counterpart. Here he is younger, less sure of himself and lacking the control and authority that commanded the loyalty and obeisance of his men so well in the novel. Yukie Nakama stands out in her exceptional performance as Oboro. With grace and beauty, she effortlessly draws the viewer into Oboro’s desperate and hopeless plight and ultimately tragic fate. The climatic finale shows a scene of such emotional magnitude and self-sacrifice that one cannot help but be deeply moved by it. It is the ending that makes this film into a potent movie and a must see.
The only criticism that I have is that the CG effects during some of the action scenes were too heavy handed at times. It can draw you out of the film occasionally. The film is augmented musically by a sweeping orchestral score and a lovely ending ballad called Heaven performed by singing sensation Ayumi Hamasaki
EXTRAS:
This 2 DVD set has FUNimation previews on the first disc which also holds the feature film. The second disc is devoted to extras and includes several features such as Shinobi Action – Sumpu Castle Fight which is a behind the scenes feature looking at the filming and choreography of the fight, original TV spots and trailers, Shinobi Art – Manjidani takes us behind the scenes to the building of the Majidani sets, VFX Behind the Scenes, Weapons Introduction where you get to see original sketches and props which the crew tells us about along with clips of the weapons as they are used in the film, and Storyboard Collection.
IN SUMMARY:
Shinobi: Heart Under Blade is an emotionally stunning film. It has magnificent cinematography, some outstanding performances, and an unforgettably moving ending. Fans of such anime as Rurouni Kenshin OVA and Ninja Scroll will want to see this. It is definitely a must see for fans of movies such as House of Flying Daggers, Curse of the Golden Flower, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Although Shinobi does not display the budget and overall finesse of these other titles, it certainly has the starring power of its acting, the cinematography and a story that fans of such films will not want to miss out on.
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