Ninja vs. Shark – STACKED Rating
Ninjas AND Sharks, I’m in!
Crafted by Japanese talents Junichiro Ashiki and Kôichi Sakamoto, this film takes us back to the Edo Period in Japan. The story kicks off with Sayo, a pearl diver, finding her colleague’s body washed up on shore, signalling trouble. This danger stems from Lord Koshiro Mizuchi, who denied the village’s pearls, turns sharks into deadly weapons through dark magic.
The village, desperate for a solution, hires Kotaro Shiozaki, a ninja with a complex and dark past. His introduction is intense, painting him as a deeply flawed yet skilled warrior. The story escalates as Kotaro arrives in the village amidst chaos and moral dilemmas, including a cursed Sayo facing grave dangers.
The film, while delayed in showcasing its promised shark action, compensates with intense human conflicts, a vengeful female ninja, and even zombies. When the shark finally makes its appearance, the film explodes into a frenzy of well-choreographed fight scenes, blending real stunts and CGI. The action is graphic, with a heavy dose of violence fitting the film’s gritty atmosphere.
Director Sakamoto’s experience in stunt work and action series like “Power Rangers” ensures that these scenes are crisp and dynamic. However, the film grapples with Kotaro’s character, whose dark actions make his heroism complex and questionable.
In essence, “Ninja vs Shark” is more than just a creature feature. It’s an action-packed, morally complex tale that goes beyond the expected, offering a blend of intense action and deep storytelling. Its enjoyment hinges on how much you value action over creature spectacle.
