Red Shadow: Akakage

Based on Yokoyama Mitsuteru's 60's manga series and its subsequent TV Adaptation "Kamen No Ninja - Akakage" (Masked Ninja - Red Shadow; Toei/Kansai TV, 1967), "Red Shadow" is an interesting remake that modernizes Japan's Feudal Past in much the same way as `Wild Wild West' did to American's Frontier History and `League of Extraordinary Gentlemen' did to Europe's Industrial Past. Director Nakano Hiroyuki certainly has a neat sense of style and constructs elaborate and interesting action sequences. While not as over-the-top as the recent `Azumi', `Red Shadow' still is a visual wonder. Masanobu Ando puts in a good performance as the title character but it is singers-turned-actors Hotei Tomoyasu, Jinnai Takanori, Fuji Fumiya and Shinohara Ryoko who impress the most with their performances. Actresses Kumiko Aso and Okina Megumi are stunning as the love interests to Akakage and certainly brighten the screen with their appearances. While Akakage is certainly not in the same league as movies such as `Makai Tensho' (Samurai Reincarnation;1981), `Satomi Hakkenden' (Legend of The Eight Samurai; 1984), or `Jubei Ninpocho' (Ninja Scroll; 1995) I definitely liked the film. `Akakage' is unapologetic in its style and reworking of history but I found its interpretations wonderfully entertaining if a bit flawed.