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movie review - Ninja Scroll

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

This is animated piece set in historical Japan during the Shogunate. It is a very well-done action period piece, involving a lone ronin, eight daemons, and a treacherous government spy. The demons are trying to overthrow the government, and it's up to the ronin to stop them.

It is extremely violent in a fast cartoon style, which comes with the territory and is why we partake of this genre. And because it comes from Japan it is heavily sentimental. Less impressively, there is unnecessary sexual violence, and the level of violence and gore is literally unbelievable. The animated style is mixed, with amazing character design but stuff is happening so fast that that character design feels a bit wasted. And so much excruciating detail goes into the violence that it's actually a bit off-putting. I mean there are fountains of blood and then .. fountains of blood.

On the whole, I was able to get into it despite its off choices. But the acid test is would I want to see it again: no, not really. I'll say again, I am seeing too many movies.

Not recommended.