Ninja Assassin (McTeigue, 2009)

[ak]

Ninja Assassin
James McTeigue | USA | 2009
(IMDb link)



I just got back from a super-secret, advance screening of Ninja Assassin, the new film from producers Wacko Brothers and their protege director James McTeigue.

It is the probably the goriest, most violent film I saw on the big screen after The Passion of the Christ. It also happens to be one of the most exhilarating experiences! When was the last time we got to see black-clad ninjas climbing walls, tearing human limb from human limb, sword-fighting in the rain, fighting behind giant embers of fire, disappearing and appearing again in the blink of an eye? (Not since the 80s, I haven't, when badly dubbed Japanese ninja 'classics' such as Pray for Death were, like shoulder pads and bad haircuts, all the rage!) Ninja Assassin gives you all that and more -- to put it simply, take the best fight portions from Kill Bill, Batman Begins and your favorite Street Fighter video game, and stretch them out to an entire movie, and you have Ninja Assassin!

There is no way, in its present condition, that the MPAA will give this film a R-rating because the violence is not only over-the-top, it makes you wince -- a brawl in a hotel toilet (between a beefy Russian and our hero ninja) is the most vicious fight I have ever seen in cinema, period.

Ninja Assassin is a totally preposterous film that has the good sense to not take itself seriously -- it may only offend the very pretentious viewer who is not clued into the film's intended purpose. Besides the archetypal revenge/father-son/master-apprentice/family honor/coming-of-age/love-triumphs excuse for a story, obviously there are other problems with the film: the interracial love angle does not quite work and there is this bit about the government agency involved in the ninja affairs that's just barely passable. (I am sure these elements will be revised through editing in the coming months.) Still, all forgivable given the great action set pieces and visceral fights. The version I saw is very early: needs a lot of color correction, scoring and general finetuning, but it still feels quite close to what you guys will see in the theaters towards the end of the year.

I have another secret screening (this weekend) of the new film by a very talented director. Will tell you more when it's time. Til then.

[shariqq]

I would consider watching the movie just based on that image!

[fizz]

Now that feels like the ak rubbing shoulders with the big boys in Hollywood.

Great review, this film doesn't even have a trailer yet and you've seen it? Wait till you can brag about it to our pals from Shooting Stars.

[animatedude]

wow! and the movie doesn't come out before late NOV.dump this in the summer damn it!

AK, you are starting to scare me now,how do you do it beside having a big circumcised cock?

[ozzylogic]

Have you watched Tokyo Gore Police yet?

[fizz]

Trailer is OUT.

[sulphurhead]

I've been following the making of this movie... K-Pop sensation Rain was working like crazy on his martial arts for this one, he looked like he'd been doing shaolin his whole life... I'm not that big a fan of gore, but I am definitely watching this one.

[theoddball]

Awesome trailer.

[shariqq]

28% on Rotten Tomatoes
Consensus: Overly serious and incomprehensibly edited, Ninja Assassin fails to live up to the promise of its title.

Some excerpts of reviews from the RT site:

- This amateurish action flick is so lacking in personality or punch, it ought to be titled "V for Video Store Discount Bin."

- McTeigue can barely shoot straight, and the editing is so hack-y, you have to take the stunts and fight choreography on faith.

- The credits for Ninja Assassin list two screenwriters and one director. But it's fair to say the movie has come straight out of a box.

- This movie may be filled with razor-sharp shuriken and katanas, but as far as the filmmaking goes, it's a blunt instrument.

- The egregious overuse of CG and the too-dark cinematography is unconscionable

- It's a ninja story for goodness sake, but McTeigue and his writers are on the prowl for something epic, puncturing the potential of the film by taking it all so very seriously.

Any my favorite: The epitome of excellence in film entertainment.

[ak]

I don't understand the negative response. It's a silly film, sure, but it has no pretensions to be otherwise.

[shariqq]

Anybody else seen this yet? I was interested, but the slate of bad reviews have me re-consider, especially since time is a commodity that I am forced to respect.

[madali]

My friend said it was fantastic, but I never got a chance myself.

[animatedude]

i would watch it on Sunday but cinemas will be closed because of Muharam

[shariqq]

Muharram started a week ago. Is it because of Ashoora? Is Bahrain predominantly Shia'a?

[fizz]

Muharram started a week ago. Is it because of Ashoora? Is Bahrain predominantly Shia'a?

Yes to both.