Explosive
Summary
Sho Kosugi is undoubtedly the ninja of the 1980’s, and Pray For Death, which followed his days at Cannon, is right in line with his more famous ninja films Enter the Ninja, Revenge of the Ninja, and Ninja III: The Domination. Kino Lorber brings Pray for Death back in print on Blu-ray, and if you compare it to the Arrow Video release from a handful of years ago, it holds up to that edition pretty much on par. This release actually has fewer special features, though, but it retains the on-camera interview with Kosugi from that release, and it also has a bonus new audio commentary by action historian Mike Leeder and filmmaker Ross Boyask. This edition comes with a slipcover. I’m still hoping someone will release a Blu-ray of 9 Deaths of the Ninja …
Plot: A ninja trying to lead a normal life is pulled back into the life of an assassin when he has no choice.
Review: “You cannot escape your shadows, my son. You will always be a ninja!”
A successful Japanese businessman named Akira Saito (Sho Kosugi) hides the fact that he’s a ninja from his wife and children, and when his wife suggests that they move to America to start a business, he agrees. Relocated to Houston, Texas, they try opening a shop downtown, but some dirty cops hide a priceless bejeweled necklace in the shop before Saito bought the storefront, and when they come looking for it, they begin harassing him and his family for it. The mafia, meanwhile, is also after the necklace, and they send their hitman, Limehouse (James Booth), to intimidate Saito, who isn’t having it. He goes to the police, but gets no help from them, and when he’s pushed even further – when his wife and one of his sons are targeted and injured – he has had enough of the bureaucracy and dons his ninja garb on and handles things his own way … and the streets of Texas will never be the same!
Sho Kosugi is undoubtedly the ninja of the 1980’s, and Pray For Death, which followed his days at Cannon, is right in line with his more famous ninja films Enter the Ninja, Revenge of the Ninja, and Ninja III: The Domination. He designed the weapons used in the film, and there’s plenty of “R” rated ninja carnage to fill at least one other movie. In a notable scene, another ninja slips on a sword and dies. It’s just that kind of movie. Kosugi’s real-life sons Kane and Shane appear as his sons in the film, and Kane gets in on some of the best action. Peggy Abernathy sings the memorable theme song “Back to the Shadows.” Gordon Hessler, who directed, would work with Kosugi several more times. Their next one was Rage of Honor.
Kino Lorber brings Pray for Death back in print on Blu-ray, and if you compare it to the Arrow Video release from a handful of years ago, it holds up to that edition pretty much on par. This release actually has fewer special features, though, but it retains the on-camera interview with Kosugi from that release, and it also has a bonus new audio commentary by action historian Mike Leeder and filmmaker Ross Boyask. This edition comes with a slipcover. I’m still hoping someone will release a Blu-ray of 9 Deaths of the Ninja …