The movie opens with our girl doing some basic karate kicks, punches, and some weapons. The police chief then explains the story to her. Her brother, Sonny Chiba, is also a policeman and missing in action. Her first fight is against a few rude men in a restaurant and it is not much to watch. She continues her search for Sonny at a topless bar. She has another fight then is off to various martial arts schools. The fighting styles are demonstrated along with helpful captions. (Yes, that was sarcasm.) The fights do improve as the movie continues though.
Sonny Chiba organized a group of martial artist/stunt/actor people as his Japan Action Club. This was because it's always better to do fights with people whom you have experience and become comfortable. Etsuko Shihomi was one of the club and had prior martial arts training in kenjutsu and shorinji kempo. In high school she competed in track and field sports just like Sonny. Her first roles were in action television series with Sonny as the lead. Her performing career ended in 1987 with her marriage as was typical in Asian culture at that time.
This movie was extensively cut for violence at the time of its theatrical and various DVD releases. Since then uncut versions have been released. I am not sure of the run time of the complete uncut movie. My copy ran one hour and twenty five minutes and did not have any obvious cuts in the action. It included an evisceration and a guy getting his head twisted 180 degrees around. Based on that I think the version was uncut.
Overall I rate it just a tad above average for the year and genre. The quantity of action and the use of various weapons and styles contributes to that rating.
Sonny Chiba organized a group of martial artist/stunt/actor people as his Japan Action Club. This was because it's always better to do fights with people whom you have experience and become comfortable. Etsuko Shihomi was one of the club and had prior martial arts training in kenjutsu and shorinji kempo. In high school she competed in track and field sports just like Sonny. Her first roles were in action television series with Sonny as the lead. Her performing career ended in 1987 with her marriage as was typical in Asian culture at that time.
This movie was extensively cut for violence at the time of its theatrical and various DVD releases. Since then uncut versions have been released. I am not sure of the run time of the complete uncut movie. My copy ran one hour and twenty five minutes and did not have any obvious cuts in the action. It included an evisceration and a guy getting his head twisted 180 degrees around. Based on that I think the version was uncut.
Overall I rate it just a tad above average for the year and genre. The quantity of action and the use of various weapons and styles contributes to that rating.