(Heart Under Blade-2005) Shinobi (Japanese)

This is one Japanese movie that i went and watched accidentally since there were no other good Chinese action movies around my week end :-).But trust me its a worth to watch movie(though you should digest some of the supernatural stunt scenes :-))

The film takes you around the feudal Japan in the early Tokugawa era residing over the remote mountains of Japan. Deep in the woods we have two hidden villages, the home to two warring clans of Shinobi, ninjas so highly trained that they have developed supernatural powers. These clans, the Koga and the Iga, have been enemies for centuries,both of them are eager to prove their skills as the might before the Shoguns and eliminate the other clan until the Shogun forcibly imposed a treaty upon them with exception of being if they are employed in the service of other warring clans.

Ironically just as in Romeo and Juliet story we have the hero and heroine coming from the opposite clans who fell in love.

Born into this culture of hostility are Gennosuke, played by the always strong Joe Odagiri, and Oboro, played by the stunning Nakama Yukie. The two meet by chance and fall in love. unfortunately they have to meet each other in the battle between opposite clans do decide who is the next Shogun.

The action scenes are excellent using the CGI techniques. Action fans has to be content with minimum action scenes since we have one 5 ninjas facing against each other. Finally the hero dies in the hands of the heroine willingly and our Juliet in this film too dies putting an end to this hatred. She finally hopes at least the next Shogun would prevent this hatred between the clans and promote peace.

The martial art sequence are extraordinary though we can see some magical fights. The film revolve around the love affair amidst the warring clan.

This movie is another example of extraordinary cinematography from Asia compared to Hollywood. Its worth watching a treat to all action fans.