This kindly informs us very swiftly and in no uncertain terms that it's not a period film which takes itself remotely seriously. It may bear the outward appearance of jidaigeki, or chanbara, but this is the jidaigeki or chanbara equivalent of 'Jason X' or 'Godzilla: Final wars': a frivolous, stylized genre romp that exists to have a good time, not to tell an earnest story. It's an outright action-comedy, more closely resembling 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' than anything else. This tenor readily comes across in the writing, direction, and acting, and definitely in Kishi Toshiyuki's score, which sounds like a better rendition of what might happen if in 2001 the musicians of some "nu-metal" act had decided to score a ninja flick in collaboration with contemporary EDM artists. None of this inherently speaks to the quality of the feature, mind you, but anyone who isn't possibly receptive to what 'Red Shadow' is doing can immediately step away with confidence and peace of mind.
The good news is that everyone involved in making this clearly understood the assignment, so once the audience does, too, we can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Some odds and ends are undeniably too silly for their own good, but this was built from the ground up simply to have fun, and I'd be lying if I said it didn't achieve that goal to one degree or another. I fully recognize that if I had seen this when I was much younger and less educated in cinema, I likely would have thought it was the best thing ever. Wherever the credit lies between writers Saito Hiroshi, Kimura Masatoshi, director Nakano Hiroyuki, and the stunt coordinators and fight choreographers, the strength of the picture invariably lies in the action sequences. No matter how big or how small, whether made of sincerity or flair, and from discovering traps to big melee encounters, the action herein looks pretty fantastic, and broadly speaking is duly stimulating. The stunts, choreography, and practical effects are a pleasure; relatively sparing instances of computer-generated imagery hold up surprisingly well. In their own manner Yamamoto Hideo's cinematography is just as flavorful (and elsewhere, quite smart), and Nakano shows a keen eye for orchestrating shots and scenes with a sense of spectacle. Why, some shots are unexpectedly beautiful.
Further taking into account terrific filming locations, fetching and colorful production design and art direction, and equally enticing costume design, hair, and makeup, the movie looks quite excellent from top to bottom. I'll even say that while Kishi's music is sometimes a bit much it's reasonably enjoyable in and of itself, and I definitely can't fault the cast for giving committed performances full of personality and spirit. There actually is a lot to like in these 108 minutes.
The bad news is that not everything is so splendid as the action and the fundamental craftsmanship. The humor does occasionally earn laughs, or at least warm smiles, but the first most notable example didn't come until fifty-five minutes had already elapsed, and the second not until the last several minutes. In other cases the writing is just hopelessly juvenile, or even childish, and so too, in turn, are Nakano's direction and the acting. Sure, we can say that 'Red Shadow' was intended for a teen audience, but that only gets us so far. And speaking of the writing, if it's a firm, compelling plot you want, this isn't the place to get it. Just as the title is unquestionably at its best when fully leaning into action of any variety, it rather falls flat in too many quieter scenes of character moments, intended emotional impact, or plot development. Even with a discrete narrative on hand of rival factions and ninja clans, Saito and Kimura rely on general vibes more than concrete beats, and the narrative is really just a vehicle to get us from one action scene to another. This might still be acceptable if only the writing were halfway passable, and able to hold any water or the interest of discerning viewers, but this is just not the case. And the thing is, the foundations are there for a solid plot, had anyone been of the mind for it.
Ultimately the film is a mixed bag. The action is pretty superb, but most of the humor and the otherwise unserious sensibilities do not serve the flick well, and the storytelling was in sore need of more careful consideration to anchor the proceedings; consider how the character Aska is treated. Well made as this is more than not, its weaknesses are plainly apparent, and its appeal is clearly meant for the popcorn-loving casual viewer more the avid and most open-minded cinephile. For further evidence look to the most indulgent moments in the music, acting, and action, the anachronisms, and to be honest the very involvement of (now former) Russian gymnast Alina Kabaeva, enchanting and skilled as her performance here may be. Don't misunderstand, when all is said and done I like 'Red Shadow.' The thing is that it's something we can "watch" without actively engaging, for it neither requires nor inspires such investment. And that's fine! Sometimes that's all a feature needs to be! It's just that the lasting value is not so significant, and the sum total is not a viewing experience we're apt to revisit. Provided you're open to what this has to offer then it's worth checking out to pass the time on a quiet day; just enter 'Red Shadow' knowing fully well that it's designed for pure entertainment, and that may be the best way to get the most out of it.
