Ninja Scroll (1993)
'Ninja Scroll' is considered by many to be one of the pivotal anime that not only introduced Western audiences en masse to the art form, but also picqued interest and led to the (fortunate) proliferation of Japanese animation. There is little denying this film looks extremely slick and that it is wall-to-wall action. But somehow, it falls flat in comparison to let's say 'Akira' or 'Ghost in the Shell' because the action is the only thing that makes it work. Lack of story, zero character development (neither heroes or villains get anything resembling an arc. Well, the female ninja Kagero sort of, but not really) and maybe the worst of all: the ease with which this film is always forgotten. No really: I have seen if over five times and every time I rewatch it, I can't remember a single thing that happens as if I'm watching it for the first time. Anyway... In feudal Japan (sort of), a lone ronin is persuaded (well, more coerced by poisoning) into ai...
