Ninja Scroll (1993)
directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri
What makes Ninja Scroll work so well is not just the perfect pacing and the imaginative action sequences, it’s the main character. Jubei Kibagami is neither a lone wolf or an idealistic hero so commonly deployed in action movies, but an everyday guy who just happens to be damn good at using a sword. But instead of getting all moody when facing setbacks or spouting some inane proclamations about justice to his enemies, he just does what needs to be done (if he can’t help it). Often he just tries to find a place to rest and sleep.
Plotwise it’s about a group of uber-ninjas trying to get their hands on something, with Jubei and others standing in their way. The movie has some nice plot twists and quite many eye-catching and gorgeous to look at choreographed action-sequences. The whole thing takes place in old Japan, but don’t expect much realism. As I said, Jubei as the main character is well done, but so are most of the others, friends and foes as well. Especially the conundrum of Kagero, the female main character, makes her into an interesting character and a good counterpart to easygoing Jubei.
Rating: 5/5
