Last Updated on January 23, 2021 by rob
A most satisfying martial arts adventure as likeable Etsuko Shihomi is raised to become the instrument of her father’s vengeance after evil karate expert Nikaido (Bin Amatsu) and his three colourful thugs leave Dad (Sonny Chiba) badly crippled following a power struggle in New York. When Nikaido returns to Japan and announces a karate tournament Shihomi turns up to challenge him and is joined by another revenge seeking badass in the formidable shape of Yasuaki Kurata as the son of an NYPD cop murdered by Nikaido many years before. Shihomi is both feminine and formidable and demonstrates a flair for light comedy. She was an impressive discovery in the Sister Street Fighter movies and she’s even better here. With two engaging leads in Shihomi and Kurata, a hissable villain in Amatsu, energetic direction and camerawork (there’s a particularly effective moment of reflection in the run up to the big showdown that has an injured Shihomi figuring out just how Nikaido can be defeated), plus plenty of visceral fight scenes, this Toei karate pic is enjoyable stuff.
