The Warrior's Way

Funny how films travel in groups. It sometimes seems like no matter how odd a film is, another one just like it will be right along. For example, just the other week we had Machete. Surely it must be years before we can expect another balls out insane movie involving ten decapitatations a minute with a Western theme? Turns out, no.

We start in Japan, with The Greatest Swordsman In The World, Ever. He's an assassin for the Sad Flutes Ninja Clan, and is tasked with hunting down and killing the clan's enemies. The last of this clan turns out to be a baby girl, and when it comes down to it, the assassin can't do it, and so takes the girl, and flees, becoming his clan's new public enemy number one. He flees overseas to America, where he has a friend, and ends up in a Western desert ghost town populated by circus folks. The town itself, of course, has its own problems with marauding raiders, and before long, the ninja clan tracks down the assassin. So by the end, we are genuinely, literally, looking at Cowboys vs Ninjas vs Clowns.

Obviously, we're going to need some good guys too. We've got our assassin played by Dong-gun Jan. Apparently, he's very big in South Korea, and to be honest, I can see why. He doesn't talk much, mind, but he's got a lot of style and charm. You've also got Kate Bosworth as, basically, a live action version of Jesse from Toy Story 2 and 3. Which is fine by me, plenty of room in my life for a rootin' tootin' cowgirl with a thirst for vengeance. Also helping out we have Geoffrey Rush, overacting as a ex-outlaw town drunk who's sworn to never touch a gun again, until things get really serious, and it's patently necessary. Danny Huston turns in a magnificently sleazy bit of overacting as the villainous Colonel commanding the marauders, playing it so unhinged, I found myself wondering if he was related to Michael Ironside for quite a bit.

The cinematography is fantastic, in the "fantasy" sense of the word. The whole thing has a fairytale, legendary feel which made me think of something like Stardust, or maybe a Terry Gilliam movie.

Anyway, the whole thing is utter, utter nonsense, but so long as you're prepared for that, and happy to watch something that's basically completely outrageous, the visuals are amazing, and the performances are as entertaining as they are over the top.