Story: Yuki is a child of the netherworld. Born from a secondhand hatred, and a lust for revenge, she seeks restitution for the death of her family. Her mother, raped and taken as a slave, brings Yuki into this world from the confines of a prison and places on her the life long burden of bringing the wicked to justice. Adopted by a priest, Yuki endures a rigorous childhood of extreme training in order to face the trials that lie ahead. Armed with a sword that masquerades as an umbrella, Lady Snowblood takes to the streets to deliver the wrath of hell.

Review:

Preface: Please forgive, in advance, the excessive use of chapter separation. Quentin Tarrantino and I figured if it was good enough for Lady Snowblood, then it was good enough for us.

Chapter 1: Few can argue the power of a good vendetta
Tales of vengeance are a dime a dozen in the realm of Asian cinema, but no matter how often we are exposed to these classic examples of heinous crimes and imminent retribution, we find ourselves coming back for more. Lady Snowblood is no exception. Director Fujita Toshiya has taken manga creator Kazuo Koike’s original story and saturated it with all the crimson beauty and gritty style of the times. With a sense of violence that borders on being exploitative, Lady Snowblood slices and dices her way towards the throne, taking up her bladed scepter as reigning queen of 70’s vindication cinema.

Chapter 2: Plot, Fight, Eviscerate, Repeat
It is certainly a tried and true formula, but does it cut the wasabi this time around? Perhaps the true question should be how much plot and character development do you require in your films? Lady Snowblood is probably most enjoyable when one approaches the film with a desire to see severed limbs and excessive blood, as opposed to careful plotting and well developed character arcs. All in all, we never get to see Lady Snowblood deal with the ghosts that haunt her. She is instead, an emotionless killing machine the likes of which would rival even the most determined of Terminators. The girl has motives for her actions for sure, and there is a final tear shed once her task is complete, but this is not the type of film one should nit-pick over such matters. You are there to soak up the gory glory, so do so and revel in it.

Chapter 3: Quentin Tarrantino knows to steal from the very best
Love him or hate the man with every fiber of your being, you have to agree that QT has impeccable taste in movies. From the main musical theme (“The Flower of Carnage” a/k/a “Shura No Hana”), to the tale of a woman out for revenge, to a girl-on-girl showdown in the snow, Mr. Tarrantino has “borrowed” many of the finer points from yet another Asian cinema classic in order to crank out his latest blockbuster, Kill Bill. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Tarrantino has erected a golden shrine in honor of Lady Snowblood.

Chapter 4: Lone Wolf & Cub for the ladies
Action films are not for everyone. Take most women for instance. Far too often does the female of the species prefer a more emotional or subdued alternative to the sword slashing exploits of a crazed samurai. On the other hand, the ladies love a story about a woman out for vengeance, even if it means wading through an over abundance of butchery in order to get to the point where their cinematic sister divvies out the justice. So basically, this film is going to satisfy both the man who needs his fix of hack n slash, as well as the better half who isn’t entirely opposed to a little bloodshed.