Mumon: The Land of Stealth (2017)

Director: Yoshihiro Nakamura
Producers: Tokyo Broadcasting System, Toho, others
Screenplay: Ryo Wada (novel), Yoshihiro Nakamura

Starring:
Satoshi Ohno as Mumon
Satomi Ishihara as Okuni
Ryohei Suzuki as Heibee Shimoyama
Yusuke Iseya as Daizen Heki
Yuri Chinen as Nobukatsu Oda

Music: Yu Takami
Cinematography: Daisuke Soma
Editing: [Editor Info Not Available]
Release Date: July 1, 2017 (Japan)
Running Time: 125 minutes
Language: Japanese

 

***SPOILER ALERT***

A Journey to the 16th Century Land of Stealth

For my last movie of the week, I traveled to the 16th-century land of stealth, the Iga Province in Japan, through the captivating film "Mumon: The Land of Stealth." I learned a lot about ninjas after watching this movie. I had no idea that ninjas played such a significant role in historical contexts and that they originated from this one land. I always thought of ninjas as merely pop culture creations, exaggerated tales from Japan's past. However, the film revealed that there were indeed many stealthy shinobi assassins during the Sengoku period. The movie led me to read about the Tenshō Iga War, the historical backdrop for the film's action. Now I know that the first military invasion by Oda Nobunaga in 1579 was unsuccessful because Mumon was there! 😜

The Charismatic Mumon

Let me tell you about Mumon, played by Satoshi Ohno: this guy is really fun to watch. He's a charismatic ninja who will do anything for his loved one, who seems to treat him a little unkindly. Poor guy wasn't even invited once inside that wooden shack.🥲Unlike all the other ninjas whose motivation comes purely from money, Mumon needs that money to make his girl happy. The movie starts off great with a skirmish between two ninja clans. Just for the fun of it, and of course, MONEY, ninjas are killing each other. We learn that this is how it goes in the so-called land of the beasts, and someone is sick and tired of it, Heibee (Ryohei Suzuki) had enough of it after getting his brother killed in such meaningless way by the greatest ninja in the land, Mumon. The story is fantastic with some little plot twists, and it surely made me interested in learning more about Japan's history.

Action, Cinematography, and Music

The cinematography looks great, as usual in a Yoshihiro Nakamura movie, and the action scenes really stand out. Especially the fight when our ninjas return all the way from one edge of the country to another to save their clans, purely motivated by money. They surely traveled way too fast 😂 but that's okay; we don't need that much realism when our ninjas have supernatural ninjutsu techniques. The comedic aspects inserted into the battles make them very entertaining to watch. Some of the effects used in the battles were awesome, like the time freeze with the moving camera or when Mumon loses his armor and becomes super fast against a surrounding army of spearmen. I also found the scene with the ninjas running and Mumon giving a little smile to the camera an awesome moment—it was really spot on, a perfect moment to break the fourth wall. The music is also fantastic and original, backing away from the expected Japanese traditional instruments or orchestral arrangements typical of historical dramas, instead opting for uptempo funk songs and awesome heavy guitar solos. Funk and ninjas mix really well. Yoshihiro also provides social commentary, perhaps reflecting his opinion when the samurai Daizen, played by Yusuke Iseya, says late in the movie that the world today will be filled with shinobi whose only life's purpose is to make money. If you like action and well-choreographed fights, this movie is a must-watch. Mumon is definitely going on my list of favorite ninja characters.

🎥 Cinematography (10/10):

The visuals are striking, capturing the essence of 16th-century Japan beautifully.

📖 Story (8/10):

Engaging and filled with historical intrigue, the plot weaves in significant historical events and personal drama, making for a compelling narrative with enjoyable twists.

🎬 Direction (10/10):

Yoshihiro Nakamura's direction shines, particularly in how he handles action sequences and integrates humor, maintaining a brisk pace and a smooth flow throughout the film.

👥 Characters (9/10):

Mumon, portrayed by Satoshi Ohno, is a standout character, charismatic and complex. The supporting characters are also well-developed, contributing to the film's depth.

💥 Visual Effects (10/10):

Effective use of effects enhances the ninjutsu action without overwhelming it. Creative moments like the time freeze or ninjas throwing bombs at the camera are memorable.

🎭 Acting (9/10):

All A-okay.

💬 Dialogue (7/10):

Nothing special, but that's fine.

🌍 Setting/Atmosphere (10/10):

The film does a fantastic job of transporting viewers to the Sengoku and Azuchi–Momoyama period, with detailed sets and costumes that faithfully recreate the era... I believe😅.

🎵 Music (10/10):

The unconventional choice of funk and heavy guitar solos adds a fresh, energetic vibe to the historical setting, enhancing the film's uniqueness.

😄 Entertainment Value (9/10):

Highly entertaining, especially for fans of action and historical dramas. The blend of humor, action, and history keeps the viewer engaged throughout.

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