Shinobi is apparently the live action version of an older Anime and Manga story. I’m coming to this movie not having seen or read either of the latter. I don’t know if that is a good or bad thing, but even knowing that now after watching the movie, I don’t feel like there were any unexplained or missing plot points I need to search out. On the contrary, Shinobi does a fantastic job of establishing and pulling us directly into a vibrant and textured setting from the start.
Shinobi is a lot of things, all of them good to great in my opinion, but it is at heart a Romeo and Juliet homage. The general framework of the story, lovers doomed to be forever separated by warring family interests carries the main narrative thrust. Within that framework there are mostly subtle, textured allusions to the Romeo and Juliet story, and some not quite so subtle. We are quickly introduced to the separate warring houses – the clan Iga and Kogua – and had the translation ran just a tad differently – I would have expected to hear how they were ‘both alike in dignity.’ And at more than one point in the film a character refers to their plight being caused by ‘crossed stars.’ That’s a minor quibble really, and not even a quibble. It’s all well done, and the film brings so many original and striking characters to the screen the basic Shakespearean conceit is not something to be overcome but enjoyed.
Our lovers, the beautiful Oboro of the Iga, and the stoically haunted Gen-no-suke of the Kouga are Shinobi. Shinobi are mythical warriors created deep inside the hidden mountain ranges of central Japan. Each coming from a separate village, they are at once eternal enemies and also servants to the Emperor. Every Shinobi is trained from birth to be a fearsome warrior, and each grows to develop a special talent or ability that aids them in their fighting. Physical conflict between the two villages, Iga and Kouga has been strictly forbidden by Imperial decree. It’s during these years of stalemate that Oboro and Gen-no-suke meet in the river valley no-mans-land between the villages, and fall in love.
These plot points are laid out for you early in the film, and not spoiling for you in any way. Naturally, Oboro and Gen-no-suke can not be left to their hidden love, as times are changing in Japan and plans go into action that will forever change not just our lovers but their villages as well. I’m not going to give much more away, it’s a delight for you to experience if you should watch it.
I’d like to call out my appreciation to the choreography, supporting characters and special effects. The martial arts in this movie fall into the supernatural kind, with characters having physical and mystical abilities out of myth and legend. As the plot grows, we are shown 4 additional members of each village clan, and although they each have little screen time, the most is made of every minute. A few get more time than others, and the textures with which the two forces interact add depth to the story of the Shinobi in what may be their waining days.
The camera work and choreography is nothing short of A grade. The camera angles and shot composition take a robust but modest special effects budget and deliver thrilling action scenes. No doubt American audiences will compare this movie to Crouching Tiger – Hidden Dragon. On a very superficial level you could compare the two, but where CTHD brought an almost Ballet sensibility to it’s action scenes, Shinobi is more of a combination of competitive Ice Skating and the NHL. Quick, purposeful, fluid and at the same time beautiful in movement, the fight’s take place with purpose and are both story driven and involving.
The special effects are used with restraint, and enough style that where they fall short of being photo realistic – it’s done in a stylized manner that adds to – rather than detracts from the film. I’d like to call out one particular sequence, where one of the Shinobi reveals his appearance and works to absorb an aspect of another. It’s framed so well it was quite beautiful and horrific all at once.
As the Shinobi interact, blood is shed, fates are entwined and torn apart, and as the story develops, you see that you’re not going to end up with both lovers laid upon a stone table, poison bottle clattering to the floor. Even if you are not usually a fan of martial arts movies I can eagerly recommend this film. It’s story, acting and cast move it far beyond the garden variety chopsoky light.