Decent disc, fun movies
J. A. Torrontegui | Spain | 03/20/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The image quality is good on both movies. You can't expect them to look like new releases but they look very good for what they are. Soundtracks are the same as on dvd.
The Amazon listing is incorrect, this is not a 2-disc set, both movies are on one disc. Same thing with the "Sister street fighter" release.
As for the movies, it's the first time I watch this kind of Japanese movie. It's funny that they seemed to make them with exactly the same approach they made animation movies with: the plots are melodramatic, the acting and the music are over-the-top, etc. But all of that adds up to a lot of fun. And surprisingly, these two movies are very different from each other.
"Killing maching" is a straight hard-boiled action drama. Something like a Charles Bronson movie but with a lot of sentimental scenes. The gory bits and hard-hitting attitude surprised me. At 90 minutes, it doesn't overstay its welcome.
"Shogun's ninja" is a crazy action fantasy. It's full of weird touches and it's kind of hilarious. Unbelievable music, cartoony sound-effects, impossible fights... It runs closer to 2 hours but it ends up being much more entertaining to watch than the other one, if only because you're curious about what's the next crazy thing they'll throw in the movie.
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