Goemon [DVD] [2009]

Fashion photographer turned filmmaker, Kazuaki Kiriya (Director of Casshern), returns with a stunning epic about a 16th century ninja/avenging warrior known as Ishikawa Goemon (Yôsuke Eguchi); who stole from the rich and distributed his haul of gold to the poor without wearing girlie green tights and hanging about with fat drunken monks. The year is 1582 and feudal Japan has finally been united in peace; that is until master-thief Goemon steals a wooden box from Japan's newly appointed ruler, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (Eiji Okuda), which accommodates vital information on documents that will dramatically change the fate of the nation.

If you were entertained by Casshern then there's a very good chance you'll enjoy this overly stylized visual treat charged with outstanding battle sequences laced with a kinetic lunacy. It should also appeal to fans of extreme cinema as Goemon flexes his superhuman strength by slicing his foes in half and rapidly piling up the body count: shot in slow motion capture and amply sprayed with blood.

Goemon is loosely based upon a Japanese folk tale but as there isn't any real information recorded about this character: the whole affair is basically a pseudo history lesson. 90% of the feature is CGI enhanced and some of the tapestry gives-off a video game feel but in some scenes the gorgeous cinematography is a special effects orgasm providing multi-tiered jaw-dropping ninja battles to help detract the viewer from a weak script slightly padded with romance.

Kiriya's stylistic flair elevates this absorbing tale into something more than just a by the numbers ninja with swords affair. This fast paced action-adventure with fight scenes similar to those executed in anime doesn't suffer from the style over substance flaw despite the heavy usage of green screen. Goemon is not a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination but it is highly entertaining despite the minor plot flaws and well worth watching.

A well directed and very well executed film. Historically inaccurate but an entertaining storyline never-the-less. The dialogue, combined with a rapidly moving story-line, ensures an entertaining and easy to watch action flick.

I would suggest that this would appeal to viewers who enjoyed "Dragon, Tiger Gate" rather than "When the Last Sword is Drawn". I enjoyed all three.

If you've seen Casshern and enjoyed it, or rather, where blown away by it you should like Goemon - it's very similar in look and style.

Admittedly the over the top, very obvious use of CGI in virtually every scene won't be to everyone's taste but it does make for some truly staggering cinema. And people who don't like it need to realise, there is no other way this film could be made.

The fantasy world and scenery is stunning throughout, the battles immense, the action fast paced and brilliant and the costumes absolutely beautiful.

The story, set in feudal Japan, is mainly a political one but of course it is at its heart an action or Kung fu flick. You'll find plenty to sate your bloodlust here, in a tale that mixes elements of western fables with ninjas, warlords and a master thief.

Although still great, I don't think the fight scenes in Goemon were as mind-blowing as those in Casshern, but overall I enjoyed the film more. The story had a much better pace to it and a was a lot easier to follow. And where as Casshern started to drag a bit for me in places, Goemon held my attention throughout.

This is another truly incredible film that looks and feels totally unique - just like Casshern did. And just like Casshern, it's another epic win. Astounding stuff - though admittedly, not to everyone's tastes. Fans of Manga will love it though. It's Manga brought to life.