“IT’S A ‘REEL’Â KICK”
Starring: Rain, Naomie Harris, Ben Miles and Rick Yune,
Directed by: James McTeigue
MPAA Rating: R for strong bloody stylized violence throughout, and language.
Genre: Action/Adventure, Martial Arts
Release Date: November 2009
By John Delia
Action is the key word for Ninja Assassin and there are copious amounts of it in the film. If you have heard of at least some of the martial arts that are displayed in the film, this is your kind of movie. I liked the stylized fighting, storyline, choreography and amazing cinematography.
Raizo (Rain) is one of the deadliest assassins in the world. Taken from the streets as a child, he was transformed into a trained killer by the Ozunu Clan, a secret society whose very existence is considered a myth. But haunted by the merciless execution of his friend by the Clan, Raizo breaks free from them…and vanishes. Now he waits, preparing to exact his revenge.
In Berlin, Europol agent Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris) has stumbled upon a money trail linking several political murders to an underground network of untraceable assassins from the Far East. Defying the orders of her superior Mika digs into top secret agency files to learn the truth behind the murders. Her investigation makes her a target, and the Ozunu Clan sends a team of killers, led by the lethal Takeshi (Rick Yune), to silence her forever. Raizo saves Mika from her attackers, but he knows that the Clan will not rest until they are both eliminated. Now, entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse through the streets of Europe, Raizo and Mika must trust one another if they hope to survive and finally bring down the elusive Ozunu Clan.
Director McTeigue packs the film with martial arts and weapons techniques that are exciting yet very brutal. Jam-packed with action the film kept me on the edge of my seat with every twist and turn of the plot. McTeigue keeps his script moving from Raizo’s early life of training to the later conflicts he has to encounter. I liked the close-ups showing the intenseness of the fighting; and when he pulls back the camera, the results of it.
Acting by Rain is perfect, sharp and dangerous looking. Performing in all the scenes without a body double and doing his own stunts, the actor puts on a great show of athletic ability. You would never believe that he is also known for his musical background as after seeing this film I would never want to make him mad.
The film is rated R for strong bloody stylized violence throughout, and language so keep in mind. Oh, and be prepared to get grossed out as limbs start separating from several bodies.
FINAL ANALYSIS:Â A great story and acting make Ninja Assassin a must see for martial arts lovers. (4 of 5 Palm Trees)
