Review of Sasori

Joe Ma's much anticipated remake of the 70s Toei "Pinky Violence" series "Joshuu 701 Go Sasori" (aka Female Convict Scorpion)is a disappointing, silly and goofy film that tries to be a cool "Kill Bill" wannabe but instead comes off as a poor man's comic heroine revenge fantasy. Among Japanese exploitation film fans Ito Shunya's 1972 "Joshuu 701 Go Sasori", a live action adaptation of the 70's manga (comic) series which ran in the Japanese Adult Manga Magazine Big Comics, is still considered one of the best of the genre. While much of that was owed to mesmerizing star Kaji Meiko, Ito's dark and gritty cinematic style gave the film a haunting and almost surreal quality and seemed to define the violent and bloody Toei films of the time. Ito and Kaji would make two additional sequels (Hasebe Yasuharu helmed the third sequel with Kaji). After Ito and Kaji left the series, several inferior remakes followed including Gotô Daisuke's (Sasori in U.S.A) and Niimura Ryoji's (Sasori: Joshuu 701-Gô). The series even spawned a number of similarly themed Toei "V-Cinema" direct to video stinkers including 1994's "Joshû Shokeinin Maria/Prisoner Maria". Ma's entry is just the latest attempt to retell the story of Matsushima Nami, a beautiful woman falsely accused of a terrible crime and sent to spend the rest of her days in the most vile of prisons, becoming a victim to a number of inhuman cruelties only to escape to get revenge on those who framed her. This version however has the unique distinction of being a Hong Kong/Japanese joint co-production (setting the story in Hong Kong) and utilizing the talents of beautiful stunt woman/martial artist Mizuno Miki who is more than capable in filling the role. Mizuno (who gained fan boy fame in films such as "Senrigan", "Hard Revenge Milly" and "My Lover Is A Sniper" is a bit of an oddity in Japan. She is a good actress, who is lithe and comely and whose physicality and martial arts prowess seems more fitting in Tokusatsu TV than in the movies (she's almost like Zoe Bell). Like her predecessors Shihomi Etsuko, Morinaga Naomi and Oshima Yukari, Japanese film makers haven't really known what to do with her. Her inclusion in "Sasori", while inspired seems almost like a gimmick as what should have been a opportune showcase for her to showoff her acting/martial arts talents is circumvented by an outrageous storyline involving illegal cloning/genetic research and superhuman assassins. What should have been a chance to make a 80s throwback CAT III "women with guns" adventure thriller is made more like "Silver Hawk 2". Unlike "Chocolate" whose star JeeJa Yanin was able to showoff her great athletic skills in some truly impressive action sequences, Mizuno seems limited (even hampered) by "wire-fu" gimmicks. While some of the opponents she fights are interesting (including lovely Emme Wong, robotic Sam Lee, and a sinister Bruce Siu-Lung Leung)they really aren't memorable. Dragon lady Peggy Tsang and henchmen Otto Wong seem too over-the-top in their roles and Even Mizuno's romance with boyfriend Dylan Kuo seems a bit stiff and forced with little emotional impact although the ending resolution did come as a bit of a surprise. Simon Yam's cameo was enjoyable but seemed a little strange. The inclusion of Japanese stars Ishibashi Ryo and Natsume Nana also seem more like fan service to prospective Japanese audiences. Ma's film is definitely a nice looking one with a modern, slick look but I would have preferred a more 70s grittier and rougher quality. I can't say that I really hated the film. It was an interesting and stylish remake but I just wish it utilized Mizuno's natural athletic style and been more like a "women with guns" action film. I definitely think Mizuno could be the next Oshima Yukari, Shihomi Etsuko, Moon Lee or Cynthia Khan. Maybe HK producers can consider Mizuno for a new "Sister Streetfighter" remake...that would be a real match made in heaven and far more interesting.