Review of Onechanbara: The Movie - Vortex (2009) by Tim M — 03 Jan 2010

Shouji Atsushi's Oneechanbara Vortex is a low budget action horror with not much going for it.This film is a loose adaptation of a Japan video game and it can also be seen as a sequel to Yohei Fukuda's Oneechanbara.

Well, this film stands on its own. It contains a different story with a different cast and director. Only the concept and characters relate the two films.For a B movie this isn't too bad; however, there are still disappointments.

The story is simple and there isn't much in the way of explanations, but it does make sense in a cheap sci-fi/fantasy sort of way.This 85 minute production has its share of action. Unfortunately, there are only glimpses of good choreography and camerawork.

The CG effects are cheap, but tolerable. In fact, watching the zombies die is quite fun to watch.The acting is mediocre at best. Yuu Tejima, Akari Ozawa, Kumi Imura, and Rika Kawamura round out the cast of gravure idols.

Kumi Imura shows the most promise with her character Himiko.Oneechanbara Vortex isn't great, but it isn't at the bottom of the barrel. Besides, this is a film about a bikini clad zombie slayer.