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Lone Wolf and Cub 2: Baby Cart at the River Styx Director: Kenji Misumi Number of Items: 1 Format: Color Audience Rating: Unrated Running Time: 81 minutes Studio: AnimEigo Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2003-09-09 Buy from Amazon |
"Real life Ninja Scroll" When i first saw Ninja Scroll, I thought it was the dopest movie ever... then i saw the Lone Wolf and Cub series and I relaized that even with the liberties of animation Ninja Scroll can not stand up against the skills of Ogami Itto "Japanese Samurai Cinema at it's best!" Those of you who remember a movie that was released in the states in the late 70's or 1980 called "Shogun Assassin" will have every reason to pick up this episode of the Lone Wolf and Cub series. Basically 80% of the bloodfest that was the movie "Shogun Assassin" was taken from this particular episode of Lone Wolf and Cub, Baby Cart at the River Styx. Even with subtitles this movie is still one of my all-time favorites. For years and years I had looked for the movie "Shogun Assassin" in video stores. When I finally found out that it was actually a part of a series called Lone Wolf and Cub, I went into a frenzy. When I finally put this gem into my VCR, I sat back with a deep sigh of relief, and watched with the same awe and amazement that I had the first time I saw this movie when I was 13 years old. It is a must buy for anyone who loves their Japanese Samurai movies with blood, gore, and believe or not, heart. "Shogun Assassin Strikes Back!" In the late '70's or beginning of the '80's a movie was released in the United States called Shogun Assassin. When I saw this movie I was stunned by its visceral appeal. I was just a kid but I knew that this was something special. For years and years I would tell my friends about this movie called Shogun Assassin and they would just stare at me with empty looks. A couple years ago I was working in a comic book store and when I was flipping through the month's order guide I came across these Lone Wolf and Cub movies in the order form. I stared in disbelief, "Could this be truly what I am seeing? Can it be Shogun Assassin?" Of course I jumped around the store for a bit - scaring the customers and my boss. From my recollection the movie Shogun Assassin - around 70-80% of the movie was taken from this one Lone Wolf and Cub movie - Lone Wolf and Cub at the River Styx. With other bits and pieces from the other Lone Wolf and Cub movies spliced in as well. For those of you who have the need for some great sword play, cool ninjas, and a baby cart that would make Conan envious - this is the movie for you! A little bit of the ultra-violence, and a great movie. "genre-defying... outstanding..." An effortlessly structured, satisfying piece of cinema. What's predicatable? Violence and swordplay. What's surprising? Touching (but not cutesy) interludes, beautiful (but not overdone) scenery, little twists here and there. There's an economy of elements here that, whether intentional or not, works for a powerful, uncluttered viewing experience. Oh, and, there's some major butt-kicking as well, and LOTS of blood-letting, but, hey, these ARE samurai we're talking about... Check it out... "Shogun Assassin: A cinematic visionary's dream." This has got to be one of the most visually impressive films of the genre to have come out of Japan in the last 30 years. Stunning cinematography with top notch scenes of blinding swordplay make Shogun Assassin an absolute must-see for fans. Tomisaburo Wakayama plays the central character with integrity and realism. One of the greatest scenes in the film, in my opinion, is when the boy Daigoro fetches food for his wounded father. Taking rice-cakes from under a Buddha statue, and leaving his jacket in exchange. This scene is very touching, and fills my heart with compassion every time I watch it. Fantastic! |