Yuki is a ruthlessly efficient member of the clan, paid by the authoritarian government to eliminate members of a rebellious insurrectionist group. But when a mysterious stranger tells Yuki the truth about her mother’s death-that she was killed by a member of the House of Takemikazuchi-Yuki confronts the killer and, after a fierce battle, is forced to flee. A troubled young man named Takashi (Hideaki Ito, one of Japan’s most popular film actors) comes to her aid. But Takashi is wary, for he works with the rebels whom the Takemikazuchi have targeted for elimination.

Gradually, Yuki and Takashi come to terms with one another. But the threat of the Takemikazuchi looms-they will not tolerate the departure of one of their own, and they are closing in…

From its opening scenes, where merciless sword-wielding hitmen and women ambush a travelling gangster's car on a rural road, to the horrifying violence of a revenge driven finale, Princess Blade maintains an atmosphere of icy dread and hopelessness. The characters struggle to live and breathe in a bleak future where a bullet train races through the post-industrial wasteland as if it hopes to escape from the cursed graveyard for machinery. The scenario has little room for people and no place at all for true humanity. For Yuki, who finds that she is the rightful heir to Takemikazuchi nobility, it seems as if a painful death is the only way out - unless...

Unlike the many fantasy flicks made in Hong Kong, this imaginative Japanese adventure is sombre rather than whimsical. Donnie Yen ably choreographs some frenzied martial arts, but stunt wirework on the fighting sequences is admirably restrained, making Princess Blade as much a drama with strong characters that audiences will care about, as a kung fu actioner where you'll simply cheer for the heroine...

Princess Blade is a pretty cool movie. Like a lot of Japanese pictures, it's a bit slow in parts, but the actors do a good job, so the exposition isn't too painful to watch. What most martial arts fans will probably want to check out this movie for is the action. This is definitely some of Donnie Yen's best co-ordinating to date.

The action contained here is flashy without being confusing, and has a nice style that doesn't really look like anything else Donnie Yen (or other any other action directors for that matter) have done. My only complaint is that there could have been more of it, and it would have been nice to see a bit more actual bloodshed. Overall, though, Princess Blade is a solid (if unspectacular) swordplay movie that should satisfy fans of the genre.

REVIEW:
Inspired by a manga series, Princess Blade boasts having Hong Kong style action with Japanese special effects. Having the expert guidance of Donnie Yen on fight choreography works remarkably well with the more contemplative Japanese film style making one wonder why this sort of collaboration doesn't place more often.

The mood and setting is grim and harsh. An indistinct future where a government hires assassins to squelch rebel uprisings is the broad backdrop for a more personal story of one woman's escape from a cruel life of death. Yuki is the last in her bloodline of a clan of assassins presumably dating back to feudal Japan when ninja clans hired out their services to the highest bidder. As the story unfolds, Yuki learns that her mother, once ruler of the Takemikazuchi assassins was ordered to be killed by the current ruler, Byakurai. Failing to take revenge, she is hunted down. She escapes and eventually makes her way to the home of Takashi, a reluctant rebel who abhors the senseless killing around him. The develop a bond where Yuki turns her back on her harsh past in search of emotional meaning. But both of them eventually must confront their fates as Takashi attempts to quit his service as a rebel while Byakurai and the remaining assasins confront Yuki for a final showdown.

Metallic and washed out tones used throughout the film compliment the cold loss of humanity that the principle characters exhibit. Unfortunately, the filmmakers statement about the senseless nature of killing without question is weakened by the bland performances of Hideaki Ito and Yumiko Shaku. In addition, the setting which includes several brief Bladerunner-esque shots hints at an intriguing futuristic world that we never get to see since all the location shots take place in a rural environment.

The action is superbly crafted, often employing several of Donnie Yen's signature moves. From slow-mo scissor kicks and spitfire dueling to dramatic perspective and the use of dirt and water to emphasize intense motion, Yen's contribution to the film is significant.

The original soundtrack by Kenji Kawai who has scored for both film and television is memorable and adds luster to the film.

Another version of Princess Blade came out in 1973 and may be better known in the west as Lady Snowblood. Director Shinsuke Sato's modern version lacks the former film's depth and superior acting. Nevertheless, with plenty of gritty stylized action, moody visuals and tight pacing within a relatively short running time, Princess Blade blatantly cries for your attention and gladly gets mine.