Girls of Geek Movie Review: Bunraku

Written by Scotty

It is hard to continue changing in an ever changing world, but necessary for so many.  Trying to cope with the new rules that are laid in front of you that determines how difficult your transition will end up being.  Every once in a while, it is ok to stand back in the shadows as the world continues to turn and wait for the next change to come forth, however if you stand back for too long, you can be left behind.

Over the many years, the world has changed and man has gone right along with it.  Fighting never ends and the population is looking for the new way to kill their adversaries.  When man has created more ways to kill each other than anything else, there is a problem and the governments took note.  Putting a ban on all firearms, the world has taken a step back and has returned to the conventional method of killing by the sword. 

In the city, a band of thieves called the ‘Red Suits’ are running wild and no one is able to oppose them.  Challenges are met from other gang leaders, however, no one has been able to defeat this powerful group lead by Nicola, The Wood Cutter.  Surrounding himself with the best of the best, all of Nicola’s closest confidants are the greatest killers in the name.  When they join his band, they are stripped of their names and given the name Killer and their number in the ranks.  Several men have tried to defeat Nicola and his band of brothers for years, but with men he has collected over the years, no one can match his power.

A drifter has rolled into town, looking for a card game.  Looking for only one opponent, Nicola, The Drifter is stuck looking for a way to gain an audience with the great leader.  Not having the finances to afford the boss’ game buy in, The Drifter is forced to look for an alternative way to get the money.  Yoshi has come to town as well, looking for the same man, but for a different reason.  Yoshi is looking for revenge and the return of a family heirloom to his home land.  Nicola does not understand the threats that are coming to him as he has turned the running of his gang over to Killer #2.  This man is the greatest warrior in the land and will bow down to no one as the threats become more and more dangerous for his fearless leader.

Bunraku follows both Yoshi and The Drifter as they have to battle through the streets with different intentions, but looking for the same thing, vengeance.  Being led by a local bar tender, the two are forced to battle with each other before being able to trust one another.  Resolving their personal issues, the two join forces and change their focus on the real problem at hand.  Having to go through ten of Nicola’s Killer crew and countless Red Suits, the two are torn on who will be the one to take the final blow at the big boss, if they get that far.

Full of action, martial arts and downright butt kicking, Bunraku is one of those movies that will end up surprising you.  An action film that actually has a plot line behind it makes it something a little bit different.  With Josh Hartnett leading a strong cast, it is hard to go wrong.  With Woody Harrelson playing the reluctant bar keep and Ron Perlman as the powerful leader Nicola, it is hard to find a reason not to watch this film.  A movie I have never heard of winded up on my viewing queue and I gave it a chance and you know what?  It left me far from disappointed and I bet it will do the same for you. Happy viewing.

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