They called it 'Ninja Love'
Gennosuke and Oboro are in love. The trouble is, they come from different ninja clans, who in the past have been bitter enemies. Though currently in truce, the feelings of animosity still exist between the two clans.
The year is 1614, and Tokugara Ieyasu is Shogun. When the Shogun summons the leader of each clan to Edo, he makes a proclamation that the truce between the clans is withdrawn, and that the 5 most skilled ninjas from each side should fight to the death. Depending on which side wins will determine which of the two sons of the Shogun will be his successor.
This proclamation intensifies the already existing animosity between the clans. Gennosuke suspects an ulterior motive behind the Shogun’s proclamation, and tries to uncover the truth, before an all out war between the two clans destroys both sides.
This is 'Shinobi: Heart Under Blade', a 2005 Japanese action movie in the style of 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' and Jackie Chan's 'Forbidden Kingdom'.
Each of the ninjas has a different skill: for example, one has poisonous skin, another manipulates wires like whips, while yet another has the strength and savagery of a wild beast, and so on. This makes each of the battles between them interesting and different. The wire manipulator fights the dart thrower, the beast fights the woman with poison skin, and so on. One can think of Captain America fighting Iron Man, or Thor battling The Incredible Hulk, each having different strengths and weaknesses. It is almost like a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors: one skill trumps another, only to be trumped by yet a different skill.
As they make their way for Edo, fighting along the way, there is always the sense of what is the Shogun’s true purpose, and will Gennosuke and Oboro be able to overcome this war and stay together as lovers. This ‘Romeo & Juliet’ aspect of the film works well by adding an element of emotion to the film that would otherwise be missing. Because of this the viewer becomes invested in the fights – who will win, who will lose, can they stop, or will it end with their destruction.
The characters are established in a short time, considering there are 10 of them on which to focus. Oboro is an ‘older sister’ Hotarubi, who is the most innocent of the ninjas. Gennosuke thinks that some day the clans will put behind them the 400 years of hate and distrust, and to that end does all he can to prevent an all out conflict between them. Yakushiji Tenzen and Hyouma are each the eldest of their respective groups, and provide wisdom for their teams.
There are many interesting elements of characterization throughout, such as the woman who yearns for love but can never have it because of that fact that she has poisonous skin, or that the weapons master has, like all the other ninjas, trained since childhood to be nothing more than a weapon, and feels therefor that they must fight, because there IS nothing else. Each of these little emotional beats flesh out what otherwise be a two dimensional action movie – which is OK in and of itself, but makes Shinobi: Heart Under Blade much more than that.
As for production value, the movie does well. It is a Japanese made movie, with a budget far less than the gargantuan Hollywood films. Still, the movie looks and sounds great. The music is wonderful. There is a descending arpeggio in ostintato (constantly repeated notes) over which slow chords are played. The ostinato has the driving sensation that something is inescapable – like fate. The music is used sparingly, and never gets in the way.
The film is beautifully shot, on a variety of locations: forests, mountain villages, Castles in Edo city (now Tokyo), and bucolic lakes with waterfalls. The action sequences and special effects are excellent. Wire work, CGI, and actual physical choreography blend well together, and are used effectively. Costumes are varied but realistic. Although Gennosuke’s rooster hair is more modern than 17th century, the rest look fine.
If you are a fan of Japanese or Chinese action movies, you will surely love this film. If you enjoy films such as The Avengers and Iron Man, this will probably appeal to you as a Japanese period version of such films. I hope you will give it a try, and if you like it, recommend it to others.
Cinema Chris
