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The Film |
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This is a difficult movie to rate in that it's much more of a Karate show than a real film. Characters are paper thin, the writing is basic, and 90% of the movie is actually composed of fighting scenes. So, unless you are a fan of the genre, this movie will bore you to death. Otherwise, you may enjoy it. It's still a conditional statement because the martial art is like nothing you have ever seen i suppose. It's not fancy, sexy, high-flying acrobatics. It's ultra realistic fighting choreographies performed by real Karate professionals. It's hard-hitting, fast, and devoid of any ornaments. As a way to compare, take the Samurai sword action scenes from Seven Samurai (1954) for example, and compare that to acrobatic over the top wushu swordplay in most period Chinese actioners.
Key is a young high school girl, with all the typical sexy and fetishistic Japanese accoutrement. She is a master Karate practitioner but her Sensei refuses to grant her the black belt. She is still a little bit too rebellious for that, and not quite in tune with the true meanings of Karate, meant primarily for body harmony and self defense, and not aggression. So guess what. She decides to cruise around town to the top Dojos in Tokyo and summons to duels anyone she can find, so she can start a personal collection of black belts. Of course, that's until the nefarious Destroyer gang hears about it and tries to recruit her, which starts involving her friends, Dojo and master, culminating in a final battle that is a treat to behold.
TRAILER
Except for very cute Japanese girls in tight outfits and flying short skirts kicking ass for most of the film, there is really nothing else but fighting. This is only for fans of the genre or martial arts aficionados. The movie actually starts with average stuff, and just keeps on getting better, ending with a final battle that is incredibly impressive. If you expect high flying acrobatics, and tightly choreographed scenes, you'll be disappointed. Some of the fights are surprisingly short, and messy, but always impressive to watch. Most of the times, the movie features "slow-mo" replays, so you can see in much more details what really goes on. You can definitely see the real punches thrown. As such, you feel more like you are watching an Olympic competition than a film, but to some extent, it works, and i enjoyed it.
This is a "film" for real-world martial arts lovers, or people interested in seeing some pretty different fighting choreographies. This is not a great film in and of itself, but is worth it for the fans of the genre. - Laurent Hasson |
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