The Warrior's Way [DVD]

"The Warrior" Raised as an assasin and wishing 1 day to be the number 1 swordsman kills the last of a rival clan but cannot bring himself to kill the last surving member, a baby girl. Failing in his duty he becomes number 1 on his own clans death list so decides to leave his life behind. Taking with him the clothes on his back and the infant child he sets sail to the wild west town of Lode to find an old friend. The town is populated by circus folks who are more than a little down on there luck and have chosen to "stay a while" in this shell of a town. Taking on his old friends deserted Laundry shop he settles down to a new life where he meets a pretty young lady with a dark past. One way or another the past always seems to catch you up and pretty soon renegade outlaws and ninja style assasins are gunning and slicing for blood...

The Warriors way is a 1hr and 40 minute East meets Western film. It is very comic book stylised enhanced by digistised green screen back drops and slow motion action sequences that in the latter parts of the film are pretty full on. The film takes a while to get up to speed filling in background and trying to build some tension with background on the Warrior the young lady (Kate Bosworth). Before eventually getting into a rip roaring action filled showdown.

The Blu-ray film quality is excellent though at times its stylised filming makes it look a little peculiar, but in truth I found it in keeping with the film, although I did feel during 1 scene in particular there was an over use of slow motion which didn't hit the mark for me. The sound quality is HD-DTS a sounded great through a cinema system though I couldn't find any other langauge versions or subtitles apart from the SDH subtitles. The Extra (singular) is the trailer which is in Standard Definition. Although i don't mind a trailer included with a movie I expect some proper extras. I mean its not like your going to watch the trailer and decide on getting the movie as you already have it!

Overall i though it was an enjoyable film but not with out flaws. It at times glossed over a kind of 2D plotline with its cinematics, which wouldn't have been a problem if it was non stop full on action but it slowed in parts which would have allowed for a little extra in the screenplay writing. I generally enjoy Cowboy crossover films I am very much looking forward to the movie version of the comic book Cowboys and Aliens so The Warriors Way was always part of my movie budget list. For those less inclined to the genre they might want to wait till the price drops or consider renting.

This really, really isn't the sort of film I should like. Not many other people did looking at the reviews on 'Rotten Tomatoes'. Thirty eight per cent is not good! But there is no accounting for taste, and I actually enjoyed this very unusual film. It is a bizarre mix of martial arts, western, surreal cinema and graphic novel in the DC comics vein. It is perhaps best compared to the work of Zack Snyder, with similar amounts of blood letting. But this is a quite bewitching form of blood letting that becomes a sort of hypnotically beautifully mutated cousin of the old Sam Peckinpah westerns. Nowhere near as good as those great films I will add! Snyder's "300" contained similar scenes that are visually stunning to look at. I recall the colourful Persian cavalry riding into action, and their troops being hurled back over a precipice. You may well wonder where on earth I am coming from if you hate all this stuff, and it is not easy to explain it myself.

The East meets West film has been tried before. Most who are old enough will remember the TV series "Kung Fu". There was also the interesting western "Red Sun" where Charles Bronson teamed up with Samurai warrior Toshiro Mifune. In this film Korean actor Jang Dong Gun, a good name for a western character, is the displaced warrior. A master swordsman who has singlehandedly eradicated an opposing clan, he makes the cardinal sin of sparing one small baby. He is now forced to flee to America from his own clan who are not best pleased with him. Forgiveness is not a top priority for this bunch of bloodthirsty ninjas. They too decide to do some sightseeing in America. Everyone ends up at the crumbling frontier town of "Lode" with its strange assortment of circus characters, who look as if they have just come off the set of an Alexander Jodorowsky movie. Throw in a particularly nasty villain on top of the ninja assasins and as you can imagine there is quite a fest of slow motion gore. Fountains of the stuff in fact!

If you are the type of person who likes a credible story in his film or a profound theme, then forget it. This film is more about stylish action and arresting visuals. To this end it works very well. Kate Bosworth makes a very fetching sort of Calamity Jane character. There are some lovely scenes of her swordfighting with Gun under the starry night skies. Jang Dong Gun doesn't have too much to say, presumably because he didn't speak the lingo too well, but screen presence he has in abundance and looks the part. Aussie actor Geoffrey Rush does a funny impersonation of a boozy frontiersman who can shoot a bit. Danny Huston has a lot of fun, and gets all the best lines as a very 'Phantom of the Opera' looking villain. The town of Lode is well realised with the giant Ferris wheel dominating the town. Quite how it got there we never get to find out! The circus characters and the rhythmically flashing blades give the film a very otherwordly feel. The film certainly doesn't take itself too seriously, and neither should you. In that respect it is very similar to that other recent western hybrid "Jonah Hex". Like that film this one provides relatively simple popcorn munching enetertainment, that is elavated to the slightly above average by the occasional stunning visuals. Unusual and not all that bad. 3.6 rounded up to a generous 4 stars.

I had read the reviews on this film which for the most part were very positive but didn't know what to expect. Sooo glad I made the purchase though as this movie is a visual treat! If you like films with strong Graphic style like 300 you should love this. The narration gives it that comic book feel and the action sequences are sublime! It moves along at a steady pace building up to the final battle which is really well orchestrated. It's a strange blend of East meets American West which shouldn't really work but in a weirdly wonderful way...does! Lots of "YES!" moments.