[KFCC] Review

Story: Near the end of World War II, Doshin So, a martial art expert who has studied Shaolin Kung Fu in Manchuria for many year, is currently working as an undercover spy for the Japanese government. However, being now defeated, it is time for Japanese troops to retreat to their homeland

Doshin is now backs in Osaka, but gangster and Allied forces are oppressing the Japanese. It is time for Doshin to stand and use his Shorinji Kenpo fighting skills for the poor and the homeless and right the wrongings.

This is an interpretation of the real Doshin So, creator of the famous Japanese martial art style, Doshin So’s Shorinji Kenpo.

Review: Does the name Sonny Chiba ring a bell? For many avid fans of Asian cinema Sonny Chiba is the biggest martial arts icon from Japan. Currently having a boost of popularity in North America, thanks to Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill Vol.1, Chiba is not only talented in martial arts, but his acting performances are always enjoyable and highly recognized.

In KILLING MACHINE, Chiba plays the role of Doshin So (1911-1980), a real Japanese martial artist who spent a lot of his life time studying martial arts in China with Shaolin monks. He then used his knowledge and created his own fighting style known as Shorinji Kenpo. Whether the KILLING MACHINE storyline comes close to the truth or not, it does not matter since this is only a vague retelling of the true story. With some quick research, we can find that most of Doshin So’s biographies seem to be pretty vague about the times he passed in China during the second war, but they all seem to agree that So was nonetheless a great man who brought courage and hope to the Japanese people during his life and the film captures that spirit beautifully and provides a good level of entertainment.

Chiba did an excellent job at portraying Doshin So. This time not only he can prove that he’s an excellent martial artist, but also one of the greatest Japanese actors of his time. Ciba, a real expert in many Japanese martial arts such as Karate, Judo, Kenpo and ninjutsu, truly shines in this film. Unlike in many others of Chiba movies, director Noribumi Suzuki showed that he knows how to handle the choreography and camera work and this time we can see Chiba perform some impressive martial art stunts and moves.

Though, the action sequences do not compare to what Hong Kong had been producing at the same time as the Shaw Brothers were still very prolific and the Bruce Lee popularity was still on fire. However, KILLING MACHINE is still better most of Chiba’s other movies. Chiba’s martial arts ingenuity in this film is amazing as each punch and kick totally makes you feel sorry for the stunt man who had to absorb them.

Bottom line, if you are a fan of the man, KILLING MACHINE is a strong suggestion, but for those unaware of where to start or want more after you’ve just seen KILL BILL, KILLING MACHINE is a great introduction to Sonny Chiba’s works.