Review of Legend of Seven Monks (2006) by Andrew M — 23 May 2009

Dang I feel for Chiba and Kurata, two Japanese action stars that I have the utmost respect for, the fact that Kurata is not mentioned in the same sentences as Chiba more often is criminal!

But, to see these two Japanese action legends appear in this film makes me want to sue their agents. What a waste. Clearly past their prime the filmmakers chose to speed up the film to make their action scenes look quick and exciting.

Speaking of action - there wasn't any. I mean c'mon! If you've got two of Japan's best action stars in a film at least give them more to do than a climatic fight. Speeding up the film is one thing. Not to use your assets is another.

I fail to see the point of including in the story seven actors to fill seven roles that really don't matter though you've said they matter at the beginning is ridiculous. These seven ancestors of the seven monks who sealed the demon in hell are supposed to be the key to keeping him in there. But by the end of the film they have nothing, NOTHING, to do with it. A couple of them don't even figure into the final battle. They just disappear then reappear after everything is said and done. Ridiculous.

What a waste.

One star for staging an ill choreographed title shot that was one continuous fight and one continuous shot. It all goes downhill from there.