Sonny Chiba Samurai

Rating:
Summary: riotous
Review: Ok, so people are going to think I'm nuts for giving this 4 stars. Too bad. This movie is part of what I like about older Japanese samurai movies. Cheesy dubbed voices, laughable dialogue cheap special effects, but still interesting none the less. The action is great, Hiroyuki Sanada (Last Samurai), the gorgeous Japanese actor was a surprise extra (actually the star along with Sonny Chiba)I didn't expect. He's about 21 yrs old in this and just beautiful(although I like his older face better). I didn't realize he was such a super athlete - a real revelation!
The first movie(there's 3)is Shogan's Ninja, a shogun is sent to wipe out the last members of a family. Hiroyuki is the protagonist whose parents were killed. He was sent into exile in China where he learns kung fu. He returns to avenge his family. There's swinging through trees and plenty of good sound effects, lots of intentional and unintentional humor. I really enjoyed it! The second is The Bodyguard where Sonny is an anti-drug vigilante who becomes a bodyguard to a mysterious woman.
Lots of action but pretty much run of the mill stuff. The third movie is The Legend of the 8 Samurai. About(again)the last survivor of a clan who is being hunted by the undead. The queen of the undead needs Shizu's blood to survive and stay young and beautiful. Lots of fantastical elements, great martial action, black magic and good laughs, also, a tiny little bit of nudity when Lady Tomasuza takes a bath in blood.
Considering this DVD is only 6 bucks or so, it's a good investment and a great addition if you are interested in the evolution of Samurai movies. Seeing Hiroyuki is a plus, it's really entertaining.