Just entertainment
Ronny E. Smith | Pooler, GA | 03/29/2008
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Being a soldier in Iraq and learning Japanese, this set was just ok. I wouldn't pay more than $9 or $10 for the set. Acting was no better than a highschool drama. Special effect we not even subpar."
Worse movie ever
D. martin | Hampton roads VA | 05/13/2008
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I have no idea who rated this movie and what they were looking at. The movie had the worse plot with cheesey graphics and fight scenes that had no chance of looking half way realistic. We could not figure the point to this movie even after the end credits were rolling but we laughed all the way thru this to keep from destroying the tv. The only good thing about this movie was the title and the names of the characters supposze to be in the movie. If not for the semi rape scenes we would have completely hated this movie. We guessed that was the only way to show women parts but please don't let that be a reason to waste your time or money on this collection."
Both More of a "F" Movie than a "B"
Steven Fujita | Long Beach, CA | 12/26/2009
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I love ninja, I love chambara action, I love the fictional Yagyu Jubei portrayals. These two movies I did not love. In fact, if I weren't so familiar with the genre, I don't think I'd ever watch another Jidaigecki again.
There are two movies in this set, "Deadly Mirage," and "Lady Ninja." Deadly Mirage takes place during the waning days of the Shogunate and the Satsuma Clan assigns 5 kunoichi sisters to watch for Shogunate shenanigans. Meanwhile, a demon is resurrected to kill the kunoichi. "Lady Ninja" takes place during the early days of the Tokugawa reign and 7 kunoichi sisters must exact revenge on an evil lord who destroyed their clan - with the help of Yagyu Jubei.
No need to review each movie separately, though Lady Ninja is less painful of the two. Granted,the filmmakers did not set out to make a serious drama,and were being cheesy on purpose - I hope. In one of the extras, the director says something about hoping this is the ultimate "B" movie. Unfortunately the movies fail, pretty miserably.
The key elements of a "B" movie I enjoy are simplistic plot and great action. The plot and the narrative presentation are extremely confusing and I pretty much stopped paying attention halfway through the films. This leaves the action. The fight choreography is tolerable, but not really acceptable, and the special effects, which these movies rely heavily on, is also sub-par,except for one cheesy "ninja" magic involving women's nipples, which is the reason along with rape and half naked ladies running around in multiple scenes is the reason for the adult content ratings.
The end effect is that I couldn't follow the stories well, and the fight scenes and special effects were not enough to keep my interest. I kept turning off the film and resuming later. I saw the films in increments, and that was the only way I could manage watching the whole film."