Demon Warrior

Studio: Echelon Entertainment 2
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

The graphically inventive feature that introduced the Cartoon Network series owes as much to the cartoons of UPA and Chuck Jones as it does to anime. The title character is a prince whose family has fought the evil demon Aku for control of their fanciful Asian kingdom for ages. During an intense battle, Jack is hurled into a future city ruled by Aku and his henchmen-robots. After aiding some talking dogs, Jack vows to continue his struggle against Aku and return to own time. The angular, minimal visuals are effective and eclectic: Aku's face is modeled on Sri Lankan demon masks, and the characters move in ways that fit their stylized designs. Unfortunately, the writing falls short of the visuals--the talking dogs would feel more at home in a "Ren and Stimpy" cartoon than in this imaginative adventure. Unrated. Suitable for ages 8 and older: cartoon violence. --Charles Solomon

Description

In ancient Japan, a samurai warrior embarks on a mission to defeat the evil wizard Aku. Before completing his task, he is jetisoned thousands of years into the future. Suddenly, he discovers he is in a world where Aku now enjoys complete power over every living thing. Taking on the name Jack, he sets out on a quest to free the future from Aku's grasp and to find a way back to his own time so he can destroy the evil for good.

Customer Reviews:

Still great.......2007-03-29

I recently had the urge to watch this again. It was in heavy rotation for me a few years ago, and now I think it's high time it returned! Seeing how the series progressed, and remembering the first few episodes struck me, it's no mystery why SJ impressed me!

The art style is unlike anything else I've ever seen in animation from any country. Amazing backgrounds, fun dialogue, and action-action-action!

The DVD's inclusion of a bonus episode from the show is odd, in light of having the complete sets of seasons, but welcome. The sketches and interviews are good.

My favorite part of the movie would be the rush through his youth, a tour of the world, and kind of a preview of his entire life, as he tours the world again during the seasons to fight Aku. Watch it again!

Great show - but beware.......2007-01-16

My son and I both love Samuarai Jack. I bought him the complete first three seasons for Christmas, but I also bought the premier movie. Now, I realize I should have caught on with the title, "Premier" Movie, but I thought it was just the first full length movie of Jack, not what it actually is - the premier episode that was an hour long. There could be worse things than having two copies of the same episode, right?

Jack's like, word!.......2006-06-09

Cartoon Network shows tend to be very, very cool -- at the very least, fascinatingly weird. But their most "righteous" show has to be "Samurai Jack," a dryly hilarious show with a righteous hero, his magic sword, and a truly loathsome villain.

"Samurai Jack: the Movie" is nothing new, merely the first few episodes of the series. Nevertheless, it's a good introduction to anyone who is just checking out this clever little series.

The evil Aku (Japanese for... "evil") has risen again, and lays waste to Japan. But the empress manages to smuggle away the young prince, and over the years he becomes a brave warrior. He returns, frees the enslaved people, and goes off to kill Aku with a magic sword forged by the gods.

But during the battle with Aku, the young samurai is flung thousands of years into the future (think a grimier "Jetsons"). Aku rules the future with an iron fist, and the world is full of volatile aliens, speeding aircars, and talking dogs. Now the samurai -- known as "Jack" -- must free the enslaved dogs from Aku's rule, and find a way back to his own time so this future will never happen.

Of course, he won't find it right away, because otherwise there wouldn't be a story. There's a bonus episode in the extras menu: Jack walks over a miles-long bridge, and encounters a psychotic Scotsman who ends up getting handcuffed to him. Will they escape backwater bounty hunters together, or strangle each other first?

Certainly "Samurai Jack" isn't like anything you've seen before, with its simplistic drawing style and clever scripting. The animation style is reminiscent of classical Japanese artwork, and their movies get a nod in the quiet, relatively slow pacing of the episodes.

And as it entertains you with evil robots and shapeshifting demons, it also throws in a subtle message about honor, kindness, and "righteousness." For a series with no character development, its hero is a pretty lovable guy. He's morally upright, righteous and kind, but somehow it isn't annoying.

And it's fairly cool to see him training with Vikings, Olympic wrestlers, Cossacks, Zen monks, and even with Robin Hood. And when he gets to the future, we get to see him deal with all sorts of bizarro things. (Robot alligators with machine guns?) And surprisingly, Jack adjusts very quickly to his surreal new surroundings.

Though it has nothing that people with the other "Samurai Jack" DVDs won't have, "Samurai Jack: the Premiere Movie" is a good intro for people who are just getting introduced to this clever series.

Good Origin.......2005-09-01

Samurai Jack - The Premiere Movie focuses mainly on the origin of our favorite Samurai and while it was enjoyable it did feel just a little slow. Overall if you just want to see if you might like Samurai Jack pick it up. I'm sure it will hook you.

Intro to the Story.......2005-05-05

This is the story of the beginings of Samurai Jack (also on the 1st season DVD). I like the episodes of young Jack, however I think the best intro to the cartoon would be a later episode. These early episodes have an early timing, animation and story telling style that is not yet up to the level of the other episodes of the 1st season. You can really tell this when Jack first goes to the future and fights the robotic bugs. More importantly though I didn't see these episodes untill after I was a fan from later ones. I found that discovering the Samurai's past after I knew the character was presumably more exciting than the other way around. The DVD has some Cartoon Network online extras if that interests you. I have both this DVD and the 1st season, but there really isn't a need for this DVD unless you don't want the entire 1st season or if you just want this for the completeness of your collection.

Average customer rating:

Many layered somewhat confusingly opaque offering
A DIFFERENT KIND OF MOVIE
Good Night!
Spectacular
Good Movie!!!

Gojoe: Spirit War Chronicle
Starring: Masatoshi Nagase , Daisuke Ryu , Tadanobu Asano , and Jun Kunimura
Director: Sogo Ishii
Manufacturer: Tokyo Shock
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Aragami: The Raging God of Battle
Death Trance
The Hidden Blade
The Storm Riders
Electric Dragon 80,000V

ASIN: B0002JP2VG
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Description

Benkei, a master fighter and killer, vows never to take another life after his conversion to Buddhism. His faith in pacifism, however, is shaken and ultimately broken when members of a warrior clan are being mysteriously beheaded at Gojoe Bridge. With his "Demon Slayer" sword the former Buddhist monk and his grave robbing sidekick set out to unmask and destroy the powerful evil forces that lurk at Gojoe bridge. Set in the 12th Century, this action packed epic features some of the most extraordinary fight sequences ever filmed, and heralds the return of the Samurai Film to Japanese Cinema.

Customer Reviews:

Many layered somewhat confusingly opaque offering.......2007-06-01

Gojoe is a rather strange offering and while I find it interesting, I'm still undecided as to what it's supposed to be. It's not a straight telling of the story of the monk Benkei at Gojoe bridge, indeed apart from taking a few characters and locations seems to have very little to do with it. So we know it's not a historical costume drama, then what is it ? The metaphysical element is strange, it's very difficult to judge what view the film is taking, is it one of the real world perceived from the the viewpoint of people who believe in demons and the mystic powers of Buddhism. Or is it a more fantasy oriented scenario where these are literally true and the combatants really are waging psychic war ? Perhaps it's a choice we're allowed to make ourselves, make of it what you will, I don't know the answer. The films pace also jumps to extremes, from blood spurting action shots where somewhat inept samurai are hacked up by the dozen to sections where a confused Benkei gets all angst ridden and meanders off into the wilderness to indulge in much tedious self examination and find himself. Clearly the director is trying to provide something deeper and more spiritual than Baby cart or Azumi but I'm not entirely sure he's succeeded, maybe you need to be a Buddhist to really get it.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF MOVIE.......2006-08-07

I really enjoyed "Gojoe: Spirit War Chronicle." I would highly recommend watching this movie. It is totally different than many movies I have seen, and has wonderful cinematography. I like the character of Benkei, aptly played by Daisuke Ryu. It was great to see him in this movie: along with Tadanobu Asano, the main protaganist in the film. The movie takes place in 12th Century Japan, at a place called Gojoe Bridge. Apparently, many members of a warrior clan are being killed by an unknown entity. Benkei a former warrior has become a Buddhist and refuses to kill anymore, however, he changes his mind and decides to destroy whatever evil is lurking at Gojoe Bridge. Is it human? Or is it something else? I will leave this to the viewer to watch. I can tell you, however, that this movie does not disappoint. It sure did not disappoint me. I thought the cinematography and the acting and action sequences were very good, and the film has a definitely original storyline. I liked this movie, and I am a huge fan of the Toshirio Mifune and Akira Kurosawa classics. Not that I am comparing this movie to those earlier classics. I am not. However, this is a different era today, and some of the movies coming out of Japan show an originality in them that appeals to me. If you are the type of viewer that wants everything spelled out easily, then you might not like it. However, if you want to see a different type of movie, one that is totally original, then I would recommend you watch this movie.

Good Night!.......2006-07-29

I tell you, if you believe in gods and devils, this movie is quite terrifying. Note that this is a play on alot of folk tales about the legendary warrior monk Benkei. Also good if you're easily hypnotized by fire...

Spectacular.......2006-03-25

I wrote a really long review for this and was surprised to see it is not here. #%^#%*%&*%^%&#(&!!!!!!!!

So in short I will tell you this is an epic movie that is one of the biggest blood spillings I have ever seen. The story was pretty good and the acting was superb, especially the monk. The final fight is great but it is a lot of closeups that do not focus on martial arts but do give you more excitement in my opinion.

The DVD has really good 5.1 sound and the special features are awesome with really good sound. The picture quality is weird how it will go from crystal clear to grainy but a lot of Tokyo shock movies are like that and it does not affect the beautiful cinematography.

Good Movie!!!.......2005-09-05

i dont understand what there isnt to get about the film or what not to like. the cinamatography is awesome, the storie plot is one of the better, more original ive seen in a while, i dont understand what the problem other people see with its special effects; the blood flow was great and realistic, not computer generated like in the new zatoichi film. i only had one qualm with the film and everything else really makes up for it; some scenes are grainy like they missed something in the editing process, but its nothing i hold against the film greatly. i rented it from blockbuster and have been thinking about buying just so i could add it to my collection. p.s. it's true people with ADD shouldn't be critics

Average customer rating:

Good, but not THAT good.

Demon Spies
Starring: Demon Spies
Manufacturer: ANIMEIGO
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Echo of Destiny: Shadow Hunters II
Shadow Hunters
Female Yakuza Tale - Inquisition and Torture
Goyokin
Samurai Banners

ASIN: B0009NZ774
Release Date: 2005-08-09

Description

From the Bloody Pen of Koike Kazuo, Creator of "Lone Wolf & Cub" and "Lady Snowblood"!

If they're lucky, they die quickly!

Deep in the mountains of feudal Japan, a group of children endure cruel and unorthodox training in order to become the Shogunate's most secret and deadly weapons — the Demon Spies!

Their true identities are hidden — even from each other. Behind their demon masks, they are educated in the deadly arts of infiltration, espionage, assassination — and seduction! If they survive to become strong enough to kill their teachers, they will become — the Demon Spies!

Sent on a suicide mission to uncover a deadly conspiracy, five inexperienced Demon Spies must infiltrate a powerful fief, discover the location of its secret arsenal, and destroy it. But Lord Shogen, the Demon Hunter, plans to brutally interrogate, ingeniously torture, and cruelly execute — the Demon Spies!

DVD Features:
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen
Japanese with English Subtitles

Bonus Material Includes:
Original Theatrical Trailers for: Demon Spies, Shadow Hunters & Echo of Destiny (Shadow Hunters II)
Image Gallery
Character Biographies
Interactive Program Notes

Customer Reviews:

Good, but not THAT good........2006-07-29

This is a entertaining ninja movie but I think is not one of the best. Here's why:

The sound was terrible (to much bass), the action scenes were not well choreoghraphied, the movie is kind of slow, the ninjas look lame with those silly demon masks and there are no stealth missions.

The only good stufs were the blood and gore and some special ninja fighting tricks.

If you are looking for a cool ninja movie then this one is not for you. The dvd trailers show Shadow Hunters and Shadow Hunter 2, I think that those movies are WAY more better than this one because the look high budget action-packed!!!

Adios.

Average customer rating:

Demon Warrior Koji

Manufacturer: Central Park Media
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Average customer rating:

The single worst film of all time?
Actually, it's more like a 3 and a half stars!

Spirit Warrior: Festival of the Ogres
Starring: Todd Beadle , Chief Irvin Brink , Michael Caine , Joan Chen , and Jules Desjarlais
Director: Steven Seagal
Manufacturer: Us Manga Corps Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Spirit Warrior - A Harvest of Cherry Blossoms
Today You Die
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Submerged
Black Dawn

ASIN: B00014K5TG
Release Date: 2004-02-10

Description

On the trail of a haunted statue, apprentice mystic Kujaku clashes with a super-powered warrior that isn't human! The missing statue hoards a demonic power that could destroy the world, and the forces of evil will stop at nothing to snatch it!

Customer Reviews:

The single worst film of all time?.......2006-10-28

It gives me no pleasure to write the subject line, above. I love Steven Seagal films. They tend to be exciting, have some snappy dialogue, and often have great villains (Henry Silva, Basil Wallace).

But let me digress for a moment. In the 1970s, there was a film, The Green Berets, that was called "the worst film of all time." I watched it recently and it wasn't half bad. After all, it had The Duke and Aldo Ray in it. No, this Seagal excuse for an environmental diatribe is insulting to environmentalists, to oil companies, to Alaskan natives, and to horses!
It portrays the Alaskans as so dumb that they claim horses came from the western hemisphere (they were introduced by the Spaniards).

I tried watching it recently, and could not finish it. It was just too dumb.

My recommendation: stay away. Watch Fire Down Below instead: good story, GREAT music, and good red-necky villains.

Actually, it's more like a 3 and a half stars!.......2004-02-27

A haunted statue is stolen from a room under high security and the thief goes unnoticed and doesn't leave a trail. Fearing the the thief/thieves are supernatural in nature, the owner of the statue hires mystics to investigate its disappearance.
It's the characters in this anime production that make it enjoyable. The villian of the film doesn't steal the statue because he's evil and wants to `destroy the world' which would be typical in a lesser film. No, instead in this, the villian was born with a skill that was relatively useless in today's society but has found an outlet to really show off what he can do.
Kujaku, the main character of the film gets motion sickness while in a car/train which makes him feel like a regular human more so then your regular anime demon/spirit hunter. The Master of Curses character is fun to watch because when he uses his powers, they tend to backfire on him.
The drawbacks to Spirit Warrior: Festival of the Ogres Revival is that there are at least two occasions in which characters make reference to something which made me go what? Who? And this is important because? Well, at least they know what they're talking about. Also, the action scenes tend to be okay in Spirit Warrior. There is nothing wrong with okay action scenes except that the film's climax, which is a ten minute action scene, wasn't as exciting to watch as it should have been. Sure the heroes were being beaten around but I didn't feel as if they were truly threatened. But the climax, as is, is okay. If the action scenes were more then okay, I could see giving this a four star review.
The only difference I can remember between the sub and dubbed version of the film is that in the dubbed version of the film, they name their attacks (which I find funny) while in the subbed version they just make noises like `kai moh sai.....' type thing.
Anyway, Spirit Warrior is a fun way to spend fifty minutes of your life.

Spirit Warrior - A Harvest of Cherry Blossoms

Average customer rating:

Spirit Warrior - A Harvest of Cherry Blossoms

Manufacturer: Us Manga Corps Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Sci-Fi Action | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

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Spirit Warrior: Festival of the Ogres
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Dragon Squad 2005

ASIN: B0001Y4LGE
Release Date: 2004-06-08

Average customer rating:

The single worst film of all time?
Actually, it's more like a 3 and a half stars!

Spirit Warrior: Castle of Illusion
Starring: Todd Beadle , Chief Irvin Brink , Michael Caine , Joan Chen , and Jules Desjarlais
Director: Steven Seagal
Manufacturer: Us Manga Corps Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001EFUJQ
Release Date: 2004-04-06

Customer Reviews:

The single worst film of all time?.......2006-10-28

Actually, it's more like a 3 and a half stars!.......2004-02-27

Average customer rating:

Demon Warrior

Manufacturer: Echelon Entertainment 2
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

Product Description

It is said in earlier times, when the west was young, when Indians still freely roamed the land, that a man named Willard and his family came to live on the land of the Indian. He was a man who was difficult to live with, and much of his life was spent in battle with the Indians. In time other settlers moved into the area and the native Indians found themselves without right or title to the land they felt was theirs. Now three generations later, Neal Willard, a great-grandson of the original settlers, his girlfriend Sarah, and three of their old high school freinds have set out on a hunting trip to the old "Willard property". Ignorning the friendly warning of a local store owner, they plunge headlong into an adventure they might not live to regret. This is the Demon's year.

Average customer rating:

THE REALM TRILOGY: THE COMPLETE SAGA
Starring: Mario Xavier , Mike Hicks , and Robert Acevedo
Manufacturer: CustomFlix
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Product Description

THE CAST AND CREW OF THIS MOVIE WILL DONATE A PORTION OF THE PROFIT FROM THE SALES TO A SELECTED CHARITY ORGANIZATION IN NEED. Gobei and his band of warriors battle the forces of darkness in the mythical kingdom of The Realm.

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