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| SAMURAI FICTION. Starring - Morio Kozama - Mitsuru Fukikoshi - Tomoyasu Hotei. Directed by - Hiroyuki Nakano. 3 centuries ago Japan was ruled by the samurai. The Tokugawa Shogunate had united the country and it was a time of peace. I was born the son of a Samurai. At 21 I met two 'Ronin' or masterless samurai. These encounters changed my life and ensured that I remember them to this very day. Due to his outstanding swordsmanship Kazamatsuri is a hired as a retainer for the Nagashima clan and is made guardian of the clans most precious treasure. A sword. Kazamatsuri abuses his position and steals the sword. Heishiro Inukai decides to go after Kazamatsuri to return the sword to its rightful place. Heishiro is followed by his two oldest friends Tadasuke and Shintaro who in turn are followed by Falcon and Red Shadow, ninja's chosen by Heishiro's father who has doubts over his sons abilities in retrieving the sword. The film opens with the narration of Heishiro and initially filled me with great expectations, ultimately I was dissapointed. There is a great story here, but I was looking for a lot more after the initial build up. The characters are credible and the acting is fine, but it just didn't quite cut it for me. That doesn't mean that it is a bad movie, just not my cup of tea. If it wasn't for Kagemaru the aged ninja I would have marked this film even lower. 6******stars. Promises much, delivers little. |
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