Year: 2005
Director: Ten Shimoyama
Written by: Kenya Hirata, Futaro Yamada
Main cast: Joe Odagiri, Yukie Nakama, Tomoka Kurotani, Erika Sawajiri, Kippei Shiina, Yakushiji Tenzen, Takeshi Masu, Mitsuki Koga, Chikuma Koshirou, Tak Sakaguchi, Houka Kinoshita, Shun Ito, Minoru Terada
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Historical, Drama
Runtime: 101 min.
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Japanese, english
Awards: Kinema Junpo Awards 2006-1 win to Joe Odagiri as Best Actor, 1 win to Erika Sawajiri as Best New Actress. Yokohama Film Festival 2006-1 win to Joe Odagiri as Best Actor, 1 win to Erika Sawajiri as Best New Talent
Buy DVD: DVD Asian.com
Two ninja clans in the early part of the Tokugawa era. Oboro, grand daughter of the respected Iga clan matriarch, and Gennosuke, son of Danjo Koga the powerful Koga clan leader, fall in love. While living deep within the mountains, the two ninja clans have honed their skills to superhuman levels. Unfortunately, the clans do not get along and are forbidden by imperial decree from sharing their techniques with each other. Viewing the two ninja clans as a threat to his scheme for total domination, the nefarious Nankobo Tenkai plots to intensify the rivalry between the two clans. Nakobo creates a contest in which the clans are forced to choose five of their best warriors to participate. The battle, however, isn't just a friendly contest but a real duel to death.
If you love dramatic movies with a lot of fantasy-action scenes, Shinobi's good for you. Personally, I liked it a lot for its interesting historical background and attention to details. Shinobi is really well done: characters are well defined and intriguing, special effects and fighting choreographies are amazing and natural sceneries are wonderful. All actors are good and fit their parts, especially Yukie Nakama and Joe Odagiri are two great main characters. Plot is delicate, sad and fascinating, moreover soundtrack is enchanting. Tak with long hair is absolutely gorgeous and plays very well the role of Yashamaru, strong ninja of the Iga clan with supernatural powers. I really suggest you to see this movie!
Rating: 8/10