Wow, they sure cranked out the Lone Wolf and Cub films--this is the fourth one and all were made in about a one year period. This one is very similar to the rest and includes the usual rape scene (why this has been in all of the films so far is beyond me--and a bit disturbing), tons of violence and blood (especially for 1972) and exceptional action. However, I think this installment is a bit talkier (actually A LOT talkier) and has a more confusing plot than the previous three. Now this is not to say it's a bad film--I just think it's a bit weaker because it was a bit tough to follow who was being killed and why. Also it is different in that I might term this one the 'severed limb' episode, as there are more arms and legs chopped off than ever before--and the exact number is staggering. There is only one problem--in a few cases you can pretty clearly see the actors hiding the real limbs inside the robes. But, in the funniest and sickest scene in the film, I laughed out loud as our anti-hero fights a group of gray ninjas and dismembers them all. Then, as these guys are writhing about, one is crawling after Itto and begins trying to chew on him!! Talk about tenacious!! A good but far from great installment.
More of the same but a bit talkier and with a bit more confusing plot than the last few.
27 January 2011
Warning: Spoilers