Over the past few years there has been a surge in the foreign film market, this effect has given way to a large in flux of great movies, that at one time you really had to search for, now being widely available. There are many movies that fall in to this bracket and too many to discuss in one review. However below are three I have chosen that cover a wide spectrum of what you can expect.
I thought I would start with a favourite from 2010. 13 Assassins, this movie has more slashes of glimmering katana than a Akira Kurosawa film. The plot is simple 13 former samurai, of different classes come together to take out a tyrant. I say former for as soon as they take on this task they become master less so becoming Ronin. This film is subtitled, but don't let this put you off it is easy to follow and packs a punch in the truly epic battle sequences. Directed by Takashi Miike who has also since directed Hara-Kiri: Death of a samurai. You can sense that this is a homage to Akira Kurosawa throughout from the detail of the characters, use of individual music score for each character and the vintage combat sequences. A true classic in the genre already and arguably better then many of its predecessors.
Best Scene - The 35 minute fight scene (oh yes)
In closing this is a 105 minutes of well choreographed cinematic mayhem! A real must see...
9 out of 10
Next is War of the Arrows 2011 set in the second Manchu invasion of Korea. This is directed by Han-Min Kim, the plot is set against the greatest archer in Korea. Nam Yi played by Hae-il Park who fights against the Qing Dynasty to save his sister. This is a good film which has powerful dialogue threw its main character and super cinematic sequences you come to expect from Korean cinema. However the star here is the bow, which is central to the story throughout. This is a well made film worth a watch and set apart by its focus on the bow and arrow which can be over looked in other movies. For the cinematography alone it is a valuable asset to this genre.
8 out of 10
Finally I thought I would mention Ninja Assassin 2009 for two reasons really, one is that it is truly inspired by world cinema and unlike many before it lives up to its masters. The plot is Hitman Esq with a young ninja turning his back on his orphanage and then having a confrontation via a mass of blood soaked action sequences well worth the awards dished out for cinematic sequences and superb choreography. It stars Rain, known more in his native Korea for TV and Dancing (dancing really)... He plays Raizo who was trained as a ninja by the Ozunu clan. The second reason is that it is directed by James McTeigue on his directorial debut, oh yes he was involved with the Matrix trilogy and V for Vendetta but this is his first full direction. Which I feel adds to the movie even more. A great debut all round.
Best Scene - Starts in a underground car park and ends on a roundabout (trust me on this)
In closing this is one of the great all out action films ever, a must see and deserves to be on your shelf!
9 out of 10
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