Geisha Assassin
Directed by: Go OharaStarring: Minami Tsukui, Shigeru Kanai, Nao Nagasawa, Masaki Nomura Synopsis: As a young girl, Kotomi Yamabe is trained by her father in the use of the samurai sword – even though she only wants to learn to dance like a geisha. She witnesses the murder of her father at the hand of Katagiri Hyoe (Shigeru Kanai), and spends the next fifteen years honing her skills. As she tracks down her father’s killer, she is challenged time and again by skilled warriors – who seem to know who she is. Review:Geisha Assassin gets off to a rather stumbling start, as Kotomi, dressed as a geisha, silently stalks Katagiri. The ensuing swordfight with Katagiri is an awful, speeded-up affair. However things improve immensely as the film progresses. Minami Tsukui manages to prove a plucky heroine. One of the big plusses is Shigeru Kanai, who plays Katagiri. Even though he is cast as the bad-guy, Katagiri is both engaging and enigmatic, and has a playful air about him. Consider the likes of Lone Wolf, Zatoichi or even Son of the Black Mass, and the amount of people they have killed – it’s very likely they might have difficulty discerning which of their opponents/victims is being avenged on any given day. So it is with Katagiri – he’s a skilful and successful samurai – he’s probably dispatched loads of people over the years – exactly who is being avenged today? Except, Katagiri knows exactly who is being avenged. He has a strong link with Kotomi’s father and as details emerge, the whole situation takes a more tragic perspective. 
The various fighters that kotomi has to face are quite varied and colourful. After the rather vanilla fight with the two samurai protégés, Kotomi has to face a giant monk, then a ninja-tigress. However, it’s her subsequent battle which, for me, really makes the film something special. Kotomi is confronted by a strange shaman who attacks her both physically and within her own mind, projecting her into a dark wilderness being constantly attacked by demons. It’s a very effective, well edited sequence.There is a purpose behind all of these attacks – the film doesn’t assume that this is the sort of thing that always happens to wandering assassins – which is revealed when Kotomi finally catches up with Katagiri. It’s an interesting ending, and the final scene suggests that she has found peace with who she is and her heritage. 
VerdictBased on the opening five minutes, viewers might be inclined to dismiss this as a low-budget bore. However
Geisha Assassin
is definitely worth sticking with and proves to be very entertaining.7 out of 10 (MikeOutWest) New! CommentsHave your say about this! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
