VeteranLight
I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.
Odelecol
Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.
Kidskycom
It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.
besherat
I really liked this movie. Although , I'm not a fan of this genre and i don't know what is the full quality of this movie, but I like it a lot. Curious, for me something new, beautifully shot film scenes, nice music,extraordinary camera.
levich122
It is almost hard to rate this movie as it is so close to the mark in many ways. You have here your basic story of Romeo and Juliet, cept done in the ninja version. Star crossed lovers (yes they actually use this analogy several times in the movie which was a tad cliché but w/e maybe it was just the best translation they could find) from the 2 most powerful ninja clans, which also happen to be fierce enemies, end up having to lead their clans in battle against each other as part of the emperors plan to ensure peace in the realm. The good: fantastic shot settings. The backdrops are very pretty. Some of the views such as Gennosuke killing the 3 ninja framed by the moon are pretty cool, while there are a number like the last shot of Oboru drinking from the wintry stream which are very beautiful. The action - Some of it was quite good, most specifically the fight between the 2 shinobi that showcased their skill in the beginning to the emperor. The bad: could have done so much more with the action. The film is called shinobi... You are already taking the story from Basilisk? (I read that it was Basilisk in someone else's review which I watched sometime back, assuming they are correct), so you already know what type of scenes that anime had. Granted it is tough to squeeze even a short series anime into a movie, I just feel there could have been so much more done, or even more with what they already had sequenced. Also, seems to be that everyone seems so enraptured with this as a romantic movie. Emotionally this movie could have been done even better as well. The only strong out of the ordinary part was when she took her eyes to take her own power out. I remember the anime being much more poignant than this film due to being more connected to the characters. Each death was such a huge loss that you basically just got sadder as the series progressed. Overall, I think this was a good stab at this genre. I just think a little more action, a little better pacing (dragged a little), and some work on the storyline to evoke more dramatic emotions from the audience, would have helped this movie drastically.
Dragoneyed363
Fantastic action with mind-blowing fight scenes, an alluring, tragic love story equivalent to that of Romeo and Juliet, and a solid script with excellently established characters are just the beginning of what awaits in the beautiful, compelling, ethereal feature that is Shinobi.When two rival villages of ninjas are given summons to put their best skilled warriors to a contest for the pleasure of Nankobo Tenkai, who is scheming to take over the world and sees the villages as a threat, two forbidden lovers, Oboro and Gennosuke, get caught up in the duel and are forced to put their strengths against each other. That is the basic gist of the plot, and when you read that you probably think that this is some lame, poor excuse for a Japanese Action/Romance that probably has no appealing features whatsoever, and you would never be more wrong in your life!The characters are well executed and enjoyable with all their different powers and personalities that you end up loving more than just one, the main message that I mentioned was kind of like a Japanese Romeo and Juliet is handled thoroughly and beautifully to the point were you feel pain and sorrow for what they are having to go through, the acting was amazing, especially from the two leads who had good chemistry and solid performances and I enjoyed every second and was taking in every aspect of this incredible story.Everything was just so clean-cut and precise. It was so well done that I found myself astonished in the end and at how much I got into it, and there were certain scenes where I was fully capitulated in this sublime experience. Well done to the cast and crew for creating a completely enthralling and excellently handled love story with a nice blend of violence, angst, sorrow, wit and happiness thrown in at random times to keep the audience interested and on their feet.
TwentyCalls
Since young, I'm thrilled by Kung Fu action flicks and looks like I will be continuously entertained by the big screen when studios keep producing films like this. The Japanese is a culture that is very deep rooted. As such, to escape, their minds have to venture way way beyond the logic and realism. Look through the genres of Japanese anime and fantasies - they are so extreme! I would not say that this movie belongs to the very extreme, but it is at the right level for grown up audience. It has all the right ingredients - beautiful settings and sceneries, romance (the Chinese style) and most of all out-of-the-world Kung Fu powers and actions.The story has a slow start. But as it progresses, the extraordinary skill of each fighter is revealed. You can't help but get glued to the screen for the next ninja to fight. The ending was sad but satisfying.
