*** It is better to purchase the film through this link:
http://heretic.bside.com/films/ai ($1.99)
You get a download link and that's it---you don't have to download no
software etc etc
This film is certainly worth MORE than a cup of coffee folks.
Technique
Cinematography was very well done except one teeny tiny moment where
I noted an unintentional wobble. Color was spectacular. Digital opening
and closing is superb for a work with this budget.
Choreography
GREAT! This is due to the fact that the cast has some experienced actors
on board and it really paid off. You have to watch some of the movements
carefully because there are some good details in the fight scene.
Story
The story may have been based on the Buddhist saying: When you meet
the Buddha, kill the Buddha (you can imagine the multitude of
interpretations for this, it is based on non-attachment and killing within
your mind, killing all sentiment towards someone psychologically--not
necessarily literally killing---although in the Lone Wolf and Cub comic there
was a more gross interpretation). Anyways in this film there is a tie in
with the phrase but you need to replace the word Buddha with "sensei".
The film's content was actually closer to 10 min and in that short amount
of time there was a good narrative. Honestly I've seen MUCH WORST and
so this film, IMHO, gets a solid "A". It's every manga fan's dream and yet
it tries to kick up all the cliches we've seen a hundred times a bit higher (in
a good way).
Rather than opting for the "supergirl" angle, what you get is a gritty and
raw work without going overboard with the "stylized" movements we see
in modern j-popish samurai movies (such as the forgettable blood-fest
AZUMI). In fact it's better to watch a 10 min story which gets to the point,
has some elegant action rather than buy a dvd of AZUMI.
It's my understanding that the filmmaker greatly condensed the entire
script due to lack of a budget (something from 10K to 5K) and yet he still
managed to create something to be proud of. If it was the filmmaker's
intent to demonstrate he can direct action (with one camera and a minimal
crew), then he certainly succeeded.
So today, don't buy coffee and a pastry...just buy this movie and have your
pastry. You'll be glad you did (AND) you'll be supporting an indy filmmaker
too.