Review: Ninja Assassin

V For Vendetta director James McTeigue and producers Joel Silver and the Wachowski brothers join forces again to splatter the screen with gore galore in Ninja Assassin. This film is not for the weak of heart or stomach -- be prepared for graphic dismemberment and fountains of blood. Ninja Assassin has displaced Daybreakers on my list for the amount of blood used in a film production.

The story centers around Raizo (Rain), a renegade ninja from the Ozunu clan. The clan is a secret organization that kidnaps young children, training them to become silent killers. After the merciless killing of the female ninja who touched his heart, Raizo denounces his Ozunu family. Skilled in the use of a kusarigama weapon, Raizo takes revenge on his former family by executing them.

Entangled in the conflict is forensic researcher Mika Corretti (Naomie Harris) who is convinced that high-profile assassinations are the work of the legendary Nine Clans. Her investigation makes her the target of the ninja assassins, but Raizo conveniently prevents their assassination attempt. On the run in Berlin, Mika and Raizo must stay ahead of Europol's international law enforcement and the vengeful ninjas.

The graphic effects of ninjas slinking through the shadows play out nicely when they are moving about the room. However, once the fighting starts, the effect is detrimental to the fight scenes. Yes, ninjas aren't meant to be seen, but the choreography would be appreciated more if the audience could actually see it. Although the plot includes strong-willed and independent female characters, the character development does not move beyond pulp slasher movie quality. Legendary martial artist Sho Kosugi is the exception, cast well as Lord Ozunu, "father" of the  clan.

Eastern legends coming to life in the modern world is fascinating, but flying body parts and showers of blood are the real focus of what is akin to a martial arts slasher flick in Ninja Assassin.