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Saw It--It's Incredible--Ask Away..Best DTV ever?

posted 11 years ago by Ivan_Drago21
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Saw Ninja Shadow of a Tear last night at a Festival in Austin, Texas. I missed the premiere that had Adkins in attendance, but Florentine was in attendance.

If you have missed it, the film is getting amazing reviews (google).

I consider myself a DTV action expert, and this was amazing. It was probably the best of all-time (I need to see it once more to make that claim).

Incredible action, no shaky cam, no quick edits, beautiful framed, very little use of slo-mo, amazing choreography, etc...

Movie didn't look cheap and Adkins kills it like usual.

One particular fight in the dojo with Adkins against 6 dudes was filmed in a single take and it was one of the best fights I have seen on film.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

For reference, this is Florentine's best work (both Undisputeds are great) and it is on par or better than Unisol Regen. Only other dtv in the conversation is the excellent Blood and Bone.

[–] chanbara 11 years ago

Glad to have further confirmation that this is a good/serious/intense film (unlike the first one which was a lame live-action cartoon). The reviews posted on-line have been pretty incredible (almost too good to be believed in some cases), so I'm definitely looking forward to seeing it.

Some questions:

How is Kane Kosugi (who plays Nakabara) in the film? His casting is what first got me interested in the film. Is his role substantial? I'm assuming he and Adkins square off in the finale?

This may be an odd question, considering the title, but how much ninja content is there in the film? There's very little in the trailer, so I'm assuming the only ninja in the film is Adkins' character and he only dons the ninja suit and uses ninja weapons briefly and doesn't fight any other ninja...?

[–] Ivan_Drago21 11 years ago

1. I didn't believe the reviews either because I thought the first one was so awful. To Florentine's credit, he said in the post q and a that he and Adkins both were massively disappointed in it (too much cgi, wires, and just overall bs and nonsense). And the writers and team were genius to just cut all the nonsense and give us what we really want...Scott Adkins beating folks with a steady camera.

2. I thought Kane was fantastic. I thought he looked a little slight but Florentine was wise to give him a scene halfway or so doing some training shirtless. He was absolutely jacked. I had zero problem with his acting and I thought he had a great presence and look. As you know with most dtv movies, the supporting case and villains are usually terrible (which is why Unisol Regen and Blood and Bone are so fantastic). This is isn't a problem here at all. The main older man and his right hand man (who was also the stunt team coordinator) are all fantastic and don't come across goofy. In addition, Kosugi was awesome and you will not be disappointed.

3. It is a good question. I wouldn't say there is a ton of ninja content in the movie, but there is enough to get away with it in the title. The ninja mythology is tied into WWII and it is revisited later in the film (not as goofy as it sounds). There is also more in regards to the dojos and and how they were lead and founded. I would put more stock into it being a fighting movie (with fists, swords, handheld ax sword things, other weapons I can't recall its name) than an actual ninja movie, but I would not discourage a ninja fan to watch this as I strongly believe they will be satisfied as well.

Feel free to ask any more questions.

[–] chanbara 11 years ago

Thanks a lot for the great responses. Now I really can't wait to see it.

Glad to hear Kane's great in the film as I fully expected. Is his character a ninja as well? Seems as though, from what I read in some reviews, that his father, Namiko's ninja sensei father, and Goro are/were connected...

Did they mention at the post Q&A how and when the film would be released for wide distribution (DVD/Blu-ray and/or TV on-demand)? The IMDB page just says December 31. I'm hoping that's just a tentative "at the latest" date. If the film is done, why the 3+ month wait?

Was there a poster for the film where it was screened? Clearly the one on the IMDB page is just a temporary advanced one using a leftover still from the first film where he wore the sci-fi looking ninja suit. I'm assuming they'll want to remove that imagery from people's minds as this is a sequel in terms of the Casey and Namiko characters, but stylistically and tonally it's a completely different animal. An apology for the cartoony nonsense of the first film, from what Florentine and Adkins have said numerous times.

[–] Ivan_Drago21 11 years ago

1. Kane is the sensei of the main dojo. You sound like a Kane fan and I don't think you will be disappointed with his performance or role.

2. Florentine said they told him December 31st but that doesn't make sense to me as that date is usually a placeholder date. But since he said that and it is listed at that, I assume it is right. I am definitely buying the blu-ray without hesitation.

3. I didn't see one as it was just a white label with black lettering. I had to wait in the standby line so I may have missed poster giveaways and whatnot the first premiere when Adkins and everyone were in attendance. Anything in reference to ninjas in this film is very old school and nothing to do with the first one.

It is just a great movie. It is a Bruce Lee/old school 80's Cannon action movie/Rambo film with the best fight scenes I have probably ever seen especially keeping in mind it is done by a legit 200 pounder.

[–] chanbara 11 years ago

Awesome. Thanks again for the info. Hopefully they'll move up the release date or it'll come out earlier in some region.

[–] chanbara 11 years ago

According to this review http://renegadecinema.com/15419/ninja-shadow-tear-review-fantastic-fes t, Namiko is killed by ninja assassins, so I guess Casey isn't the only ninja in the film, after all...? Pretty sure I know who one of the ninja assassins turns out to be...

[–] Ivan_Drago21 11 years ago

If you can tell, I am doing everything in my power not to spoil anything for anyone.

All I can say it is an excellent flick with the best fight scenes I have ever seen without guys using clear stunt doubles.

I know people like to say Ong Bak and other Asian movies, but I give the nod to Ninja as Adkins is a legit heavyweight and he fights other larger sized guys in this. Plus Kosugi has to be around 185 pounds at least. He was way too jacked for him to weigh any lower than that.

[–] Ivan_Drago21 11 years ago

Fanboy? Don't use terms you don't understand.

[–] Ivan_Drago21 11 years ago

I think you will love it.

I truly feel I am well versed in the dtv action arena (not something to brag about) and I have only decided to own 2 of those movies through all the hundreds I have seen.

I will purchase Shadow of a Tear on day 1 without hesitating. It is that damn good and something I would want to rewatch many times.

And I am a tough critic but they just hit a freaking home run.

[–] KennethX 11 years ago

I only have one question:

"Incredible action, no shaky cam, no quick edits, beautiful framed, very little use of slo-mo, amazing choreography, etc..."

This is not an exaggeration? Sounds too amazing to be true. The first "Ninja" was good, but not THAT good.

www.youtube.com/user/AustrianFilmGeek

[–] Ivan_Drago21 11 years ago

Trust me, there is no bigger hater in the United States regarding shaky cam/quick edits than myself. It absolutely ruins movies and it is a lazy, incompetent way out of directing a legit action scene.

And full disclosure, I did not like the first Ninja. There were a couple scenes here and there that were okay, but the cgi, the Satanic cult, etc. were all kinds of cheesy.

Ninja 2 is flat out awesome.

You know how you think those movies from the 80's were awesome and then you rewatch them and realize how terrible they are. This is the movie that you think the 80's movie really was but even better.

I saw this with a lady friend and the first thing she said after is how much more enjoyable it was because you could follow all the action.

[–] KennethX 11 years ago

thanks. :) sounds amazing.

www.youtube.com/user/AustrianFilmGeek

[–] petey0707 11 years ago

Both movies sucked, and had the most generic action scenes. They were fun to watch at first, but it got pretty boring quickly. There are so many better martial arts flicks out there, I don't understand why you guys are praising something that looks like a generic 80's flick.

[–] landgabriel 11 years ago

How did you feel about 'Dragon Eyes'. The action wasn't great for me, but I liked the characters, dialogue and plot. And the cinematography was cool.

I really enjoyed Java Heat recently. Did you like that title much?

Fellow DTV action fan here.

[–] Ivan_Drago21 11 years ago

Hey Man!

I personally thought Dragon Eyes was awful. I was a huge Hyams fan because I thought Unisol Regen was amazing and I loved his Mark Kerr documentary. But after Dragon Eyes and Reckoning, I am off his bandwagon. I am now worried he was a one hit wonder.

In the case of Dragon Eyes, the story was TOO nonsensical and there was way too much slow motion. The whole thing came across as half assed with very little effort put into any aspect of the whole production. It also didn't help that I don't find Cung Le intimidating or engaging whatsoever. I was super disappointed it in but it did help me curb my expectations for Reckoning so I wasn't too disappointed.

I saw Java Heat but need to watch it again as I was exhausted. It was definitely not awful and easily in the middle of the pack as at least some effort was put into it which I appreciated. I was disappointed though as Redbox only got the dvd. I do think Lutz gets a raw deal as he at least brings some physicality to the movies he is making.

I think you will love Ninja II. Already preordered (I found it to be the cheapest on rakuten.com). I am hyped to watch it again on blu.

[–] landgabriel 11 years ago

I liked Dragon Eyes probably in part because the plot was based in Kurosawa's 'Yojimbo'. Another element that appealed to me was something that appeals to me about a lot of dtv movies: they seem to take place in a paralell reality, like another dimension. Blood And Bone certainly had this element too. People behave differently, often absurdly, the streets are dead (extras are expensive!) Etc.

Well we can't agree on everything. Java heat was awesome in my opinion though so when you watch it again please let me know what you thought.

Can't wait to see ninja 2. It looks like it has a lot of acrobatic kicking which I enjoy.

Speaking if Hyams... Enemies Closer looks decent.

[–] Ivan_Drago21 11 years ago

I guess that is where we disagree. Whether it was Yojimbo with DE or Apocalypse Now with Reckoning, Hyams is missing what his audience is and what they want (or their expectations). If I wanted to watch deep, thought provoking movies, I am going to watch the classics or the originals. I am not going to want Van Damme or Adkins (though I love both) in them. Hyams "kept it simple stupid" in Regeneration and gave the audience what we wanted. He has completely missed the mark in his last two movies.

[–] landgabriel 11 years ago

You don't speak for the entire audience, obviously, if I liked reckoning and eyes. You make a lot of blanket statements.

Personally I enjoy even some bad CTV movies. Its part of their appeal to me. Their absurdity.

[–] Ivan_Drago21 11 years ago

Well, actually I do as they were both critically panned and not successful financially.

So you are in the far minority and the facts make that crystal.

[–] landgabriel 11 years ago

I said dont speak for the ENTIRE audience. Many, MANY good films get panned by critics and don't make a profit. And as I said, I enjoy 'bad' films for their absurdity. Frankly I'm surprised you call yourself a DTV action fan then claim to only like 'good' movies. I'm sure plenty if critics will pan ninja 2's plot, dialogue and characters.

I now think your gripe is more with Hyams as a person than with his work specifically. A member if Isaac's camp, perhaps?

Oh and lots of people lauded day of reckoning as an exemplary DTV actioner.

[–] Ivan_Drago21 11 years ago

If everything I have wrote on this board results in you thinking I have a problem personally with Hyams and I am in the camp of Isaac, then there is zero reason to address that nonsense or anything else you wrote.

[–] landgabriel 11 years ago

If you say so.

[–] Ray_Tango 11 years ago

I like how Florentine frames action. I think Florentine and Adkins make a great action combo. Hopefully they'll get a wide release one day. I enjoyed the original Ninja to a certain degree, and everyone is saying this one is better. It sucks we have to wait almost 3 more months until it's released.

Early reaction to EX3 rough cut:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiZhha2yR94

[–] Lt_Cobretti 11 years ago

Since it was apparently shot PG-13, is it completely bloodless? That was one thing that I loved about the first Ninja was that there were a fair amount of well done practical blood effects (Amongst the terrible CGI which I'm glad will be gone)

[–] Ivan_Drago21 11 years ago

It isn't bloodless, but the gore factor is not there in some of the death scenes. Though I think Isaac does it to the movies favor because a certain weapon is used and we didn't need to see it used to completion every time.

I was so enthralled by the clear and concise brutality of the action that I never stopped to think if it was a PG-13 or R movie.

[–] aloep 11 years ago

Hmmm you ranked the terrible Universal Solider: Regeneration above it...

[–] jmartz11 11 years ago

When does it come out on DVD or comacast cable on demand service?

[–] perkoff 11 years ago

What is DTV? I google it and the only thing coming up is Direct TV and Digital TV.

[–] Prairie_Scum 11 years ago

A movie that goes Direct to Video with little or no theatrical release.

[–] perkoff 11 years ago

Thanks.

[–] skunkworks 11 years ago

I liked it a lot, was hoping for a little more ninjitsu. It was only at the end that he donned the suit and actually engaged in what ninjas do. That being said, the fight scenes were great. 7/10

[–] Ivan_Drago21 11 years ago

Absolutely no question that is a valid complaint considering it is in the title of the movie.

I just didn't let it bother me because the story made sense for him to go less ninja and more rage mode.

[–] lyon111 11 years ago

I am seeing it right now and must say it is one of the best ninja movies from the last decades.

From the hundreds of martial art movies I have seen over the years, this one stands high in the score due to its realistic fight scenes and story. Ninja - Shadow of a Tear starts slowly and warms you up as it progresses. It obviously lacks the quality acting of great actors, but this is not a "drama" movie, but one of martial arts that entertains and delivers what martial arts fans love.

The first movie of this series was very good, better than this second one, which is something that could have been helpful in getting a bigger budget, but no, as there always idiots out there that cannot see anything in front of their eyes.

One thing though, the name of the movie could have been better chosen, as I am yet to see a Ninja, despite being the second one, and I am at 42:41 in the movie - halfway. Ninja II would have been a better name, but also unappropriated considering this second movie could have been a completely new one.

I like the protagonist, he knows his martial arts quite well and he is very gifted. It looks like he has been practicing it all his life, but I do not know if that is the actual truth. I do hope he gets the so deserved attention from the magnates, in order to create a third one or a new one with a good budget and all the moves we love.

"If you can't beat them, join them, and strike them hard from within."

[–] 11 years ago

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