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Equal parts Romeo and Juliet and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Shinobi offers breathtaking cinematography, appealing actors, and ninjas. What more could a movie fan ask for? Released in 2005, Shinobi is set in 17th century Japan, which is dominated by two powerful clans. Oboro is a member of the Iga clan, while her lover Gennosuke is the son of the leader of the Koga clan. Both groups are comprised of expert ninjas who have developed skills unknown to most mortals. When Oboro and Gennosuke meet, they are unaware that by their birthrights, they are meant to hate–not love–each other. When the nefarious Shogun–eager to increase his own power by doing away with both clans–announces that each faction will send in five ninjas to fight to the death, Oboro and Gennosuke are sent in to battle against each other for the honor of their clans. Filled with action (including some computer-generated images to enhance the actors’ warrior-like qualities) and romance, Shinobi has the makings of a sweeping epic. Though based on an anime series, the film succeeds as a stand-alone piece of work. Beautifully filmed and well-acted, the film is exciting and heartbreaking, and the viewer senses both hope and doom all the way through the finale. –Jae-Ha Kim
Product Description
“Masterpiece” – Toronto After Dark Film Festival
The year is 1614, Japan has been united under the Tokugawa Shoguns and the land is beginning to feel at peace. Two remote ninja clans, the Koga and the Igo, are ancient enemies but have long been bound by a peace agreement forbidding them to fight. The heirs to the leadership of both clans have fallen in love, but a tragic fate awaits them. A cruel plot is set by the Shogun to wipe these two clans from existence by breaking the peace agreement and forcing the two clans to battle. Five Ninjas of each the Koga and the Iga clans will battle eagainst each other to the death. As a great war begins, it brings the two young heirs together again. But this time as enemies.
Bonus Disc includes:
“…Romeo and Juliet meets special effects, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon… soaring through the air..” “It’s gorgeous, absolutely heart-breakingly beautiful.” – Seattle International Film Festival
5.0 out of 5 stars
5/5
This movie was simply amazing. The way the story was told, the events , and of course the Ninjitsu leave you wishing there was a part 2.
The dvd of SHINOBI HEART UNDER BLADE U.S. version is almost an exact duplicate of the Region-3 Thai version. I have both the 3-disc Japanese region-2 copy and the Hong Kong Region-3 DTS-ES dvd. The japanese and Hk releases have the best transfers. If you have multi-region capability, buy the Japanese or Hong Kong versions. But whatever you do, do not miss this film.
The following review applies to the Hong Kong Region-3 release:
I just finished watching my dvd copy of this film and felt that I have to review this marvelously tragic but hopeful film. Mind you, this SHINOBI film does not follow any of the video-game inspired Shinobi titles, rather it is based on the JAPANESE FEUDAL LEGEND from which both the video game and the anime series “Basilisk” were based on.
In order for you to love this film, you have to have an idea of Japanese customs and their unrelenting loyalty to their emperor/leader. For them, their Emperor is like a living God-man. That is why when a new Shogunate has united feudal Japan, he fears that the wrath of the SHINOBI may upset the balance of power. SHINOBI is the elite NINJA clan, who has been trained since birth in the art of combat and warfare.
Two Ninja clans has had a truce for years that the new Lord of the shogunate has lifted this truce and has misled them into believing that each clan will help decide who will ascend to the role of shogun(in the future) should they have 5 of their greatest and most skilled warriors to battle each other in a contest to the death. Gennusuke and Oboro are the lovers caught in the middle because each have ascended to the role of chieftain in their respective clans. In truth, the Shogunate rulers wish to destroy their clans because they fear their powers/skills and that one day rise up against the Supreme Shogunate of Japan. They believe since their goal is peace and prosperity, war mongers should be extinct because they believe that without war, they have no purpose. Some members of the clans also believe this.
Each clan warrior has character and depth, with variable skills and abilities. One warrior is like a chameleon, one has simian-like agility, one has NEAR-immortality, a woman has poison that goes around her skin/breath, one is a blind psychic among others.
The film itself is very tragic and when Oboro makes the supreme sacrifice to save the children/families of both clans, even the shogunate had to believe that the SHINOBI can have more than one purpose in life.
The set designs were awesome and the characters were well designed. The special effects weren’t all hokey and fit the movie’s pace. As in most samurai films, the battles were quick and exciting, although not overly bloody.
The film is one of the best ASIAN fantasy-epic films I’ve seen thus far. The dvd I have was mastered in High-def widescreen(EXTREMELY SHARP transfer) with 5.1 (DTS)digital audio(I didn’t get mind in AMAZON). I highly recommend this film, now I have to cry for a PREQUEL about the warring clans before! 4.5 stars all the way!!
Kagero ROCKS!!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
ADDED: I managed to see the U.S. region-1 release by Funimation. It is less than 2 minutes shorter than the region-3 DTS-ES Hong Kong release. Nothing relevant was missing, except for an extended beginning and Oboro’s encounter with one of the Kouga warriors. The video of the Asian release is a lot sharper/crisper than the Funimation transfer. As I thought, the Funimation transfer was derived from the Thai version.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty good movie
The pretty was pretty good IMO. I can’t complain. I’ve never heard of this movie so I didn’t know what to expect.
In the same spirit of Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon, Shinobi goes very deep into cultural roots with a heavy dose of “Animé” like action to create a compelling love story rich with visual fanfare.
Though the romantic plot is not as powerful as Crouching Tiger or House of Flying Daggers, it is still a compelling story for which you will want to know how it ends. But frankly, the real meat and potatoes of this movie is about the combat and the very Animé inspired characters. There are other live action animés out there, but this has quickly taken it’s place to my number one favorite amongst them. Bonus points for making this accessible to the open non-initiated public. Naruto fans should find the same kind of interesting character concepts, save for the fact that everything is taken with a very mature tone (no teen aged ninjas here). Anyone who liked Warriors of Zu Mountain or Storm Riders will definitely want to pick this up.
2.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty wack
Pretty because its on Blu but wack cause of the movie itself. Some action scenes are good, but I suggest you rent or borrow from someone before purchasing this one.
Since I am drawn to the subject of ninjas in general, I had to check out this film no matter what. While I do not regret purchasing this DVD, for it’s certainly well-produced and visually pleasing. I can’t help but think that this story would’ve been served best by using a mini-series format that could’ve fleshed out the characters more thoroughly and further develop the drama and details of this saga (as hinted by the characters’ histories in the Official Movie website). It was certainly a pleasant experience albeit without any real plot twists or surprises.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome movie!
I bought this movie after hearing from my boyfriend that it was a classic film. For the action fans out there, especially the ones who enjoy Asian cinema, you will like this one…
5.0 out of 5 stars
Captivating
This movie kept me mesmerized. Although, I was waiting for more ninja type stuff I was still happy with this purchase.
5.0 out of 5 stars
I must be getting old!
Wow, I loved it! I must be getting old. lol If I had come across this type of movie a few years back I probably would have either dismissed it completely or gave it at best a fair…
5.0 out of 5 stars
Action Blu-ray Movie
Made my purchase in 2008 prior to the release date and item was shipped with the usual excellent Amazon efficiency.
4.0 out of 5 stars
The movie was great but could of been better
I was slightly disappointed with the movie. It didn’t flesh out the characters as well as I hoped and left something missing.
5.0 out of 5 stars
SHINOBI
This is one of the best Japanese Ninja-like fighting movies that I had watched. Cheers
3.0 out of 5 stars
okay movie
This movie had really good special effects, but lacked a good plot. It is somewhat of a let down especially at the end.