Gary K’s review published on Letterboxd:
7/31 - Task 19 Watchlist Shuffle
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I was super stoked when I shuffled my watch list had this in the top row as I just recently picked up the Criterion blu ray and had also just watched three of the Female Prisoner Scorpion films so I was ready for some more of the incomparable Meiko Kaji.
Even with high expectations, this absolutely did NOT disappoint. Set up like a classic revenge tale but with a female protagonist, the pre credit sequence sets the tone with Meiko showing off her “fuck you I will kill you” glare and sword skills.
Meiko Kaji is one of a kind and I can’t imagine another actress pulling off this performance (maybe Eihi Shiina), and she carries this film from start to finish. Gorgeous cinematography throughout, popping colors (particularly the blood red) and a terrific score lift this above typical grind house fare and cement it as a classic. It’s easy to see why Tarantino was so inspired by it and used so much of it in Kill Bill.
Plenty of Japanese style spraying blood and theatrics and I could stare at Meiko Kaji’s eyes all night. This is really a terrific film and worthy of all the praise. Can’t wait to watch the sequel now.
