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June 2010
cast: Minami Tsukui, Shigeru Kanai, Nao Nagasawa, Taka Okubo, and Satoshi Hakuzen
director: Gô Ohara
78 minutes (15) 2008
widescreen ratio 1.85:1
MVM DVD Region 2 retail
RATING: 6/10
review by Sandra Scholes
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Geisha Assassin
Originally released as Geisha vs. Ninja, this is more about a geisha who in Japanese history were the hostesses who performed the 'gei'
theatrical arts such as fan dancing, plays and singing and from the civil war era to the Edo period martial arts, while learning medicines were
known as 'gei' and even men who were known for their prowess with the sword were known as 'geisha'.
As a period movie with all the trappings and finery of old Japan it fascinates as well as educates. For a start no one would have guessed that
geisha could fight ninja and samurai men just as well as other warring ninja and samurai, especially in the heavy kimono this particular one wears
complete with hidden katana, deadly hairpins and the ability for Kotomi to tear her kimono into another very different outfit that actually looks
like it was hand made for her by someone else.
How she manages to keep her hair in place without her combs and pins would be beyond anyone, but she manages to look decent even though she's come
face to face with a hoard of assassins and had to fight them off one by one. Kotomi's swordsmanship is amazing to watch though even if she starts
out at a disadvantage dressed in all those layers.
This girl, Kotomi Yamabe (Minami Tsukui) is out for revenge on her father's murderer and has to fight for her life against all odds with ninja
assassins who come across her. She has great skill and some of the fight scenes get a little gory yet the fight choreography will remind ardent
fans of Kill Bill and many other Japanese style movies. She is fought
first by Katagiri (Shigeru Kanai) a samurai who just happens to have something to do with her father's murder some time back, and who unfortunately
she doesn't get any information out of concerning him. Fortunately for the viewer the film becomes a total bloodbath within the scenes, treating
them to some of the most energetic fighting seen in a Japanese movie in a while.
Kotomi's fights, in general, are intense when she finds out she is fighting a female ninja who thinks she can best Kotomi, yet she forgets that
even as a geisha she has already been instructed in more than just the basic art of fighting. For those who like their history as well as their
martial arts and fight scenes this will be an excellent addition to anyone's collection.
DVD extras include trailers for Geisha Assassin (original Japanese trailer), Dororo, and Cutie Honey.
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