Synopsis
Raizo (Rain) is one of the deadliest assassins in the world. Taken from the streets as a child, he was transformed into a trained killer by the Ozunu Clan, a secret society whose very existence is considered a myth. But haunted by the merciless execution of his friend by the Clan, Raizo breaks free from them…and vanishes. Now he waits, preparing to exact his revenge.
In Berlin, Europol agent Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris) has stumbled upon a money trail linking several political murders to an underground network of untraceable assassins from the Far East. Defying the orders of her superior, Ryan Maslow (Ben Miles), Mika digs into top secret agency files to learn the truth behind the murders. Her investigation makes her a target, and the Ozunu Clan sends a team of killers, led by the lethal Takeshi (Rick Yune), to silence her forever. Raizo saves Mika from her attackers, but he knows that the Clan will not rest until they are both eliminated.
Now, entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse through the streets of Europe, Raizo and Mika must trust one another if they hope to survive…and finally bring down the elusive Ozunu Clan.
“Ninja Assassin” is directed by James McTeigue from a screenplay by Matthew Sand and J. Michael Straczynski. The film stars Korean pop star Rain, Naomie Harris, Ben Miles, Rick Yune and legendary martial arts performer Sho Kosugi. Joel Silver, Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski and Grant Hill are the film’s producers, with Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni and Steve Richards serving as executive producers.
The behind-the-scenes creative team includes director of photography Karl Walter Lindenlaub, production designer Graham “Grace” Walker, editor Gian Ganziano, editor Joseph Jett Sally, costume designer Carlo Poggioli and composer Ilan Eshkeri.
Movie Review
It’s a wonder that Hollywood seems to be going Ninja these days. While the hype for kung fu is still there, but ninja seems to be the in-thing for now. Just a few weeks back, we had the show Ninja and now Ninja Assassin. And then there is also the more usage of swords these days too (check Blood: The Last Vampire).
Anyway comparing both the Ninja shows, they are both similar in storyline. You get the usual plot of good vs evil, with the good coming from the school for ninjas, and of course some fighting actions.
But what makes the Ninja Assassin stands out is how the movies shows the details on what makes a good ninja…where unlike the usual belief, being a ninja is more than just fighting but also mastering finer skills.
The fighting scenes in this movie is pretty good too and different from the more typical kung fu style fighting. And the fact that Korea’s superstar, Rain, has played his role rather well, considering this is his ambitious Hollywood entry (this is his first main lead role). It’s good to see (or hear rather) him speak understandable English, as compared to his other Asian counterparts, though his voice sounds a little robotic.
Conclusion & Rating
6.8. Though the storyline falls flat, but the other aspects of the movie makes this a decent watch. Plus the fact that there’s not that many ninja movies around yet…