Goemon

ACMI Long Play

Steeped in legend and drawn from the mists of time, Goemon is a thundering ninja-romance-fantasy-action-revenge epic that traverses mountains, seas, cities and dynasties.

As a Robin Hood-esque ninja master thief, Goemon is the people's hero. His 15th century world (magnificently realised by director Kazuaki Kiriya) is one of complex

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betrayal and power struggles through which a simpler tale of lost love and spiritual duty weaves its way.

In a breathtaking opening scene, Goemon steals a box with a map leading to the location of a secret scroll that, unbeknownst to him, can destroy civilisation. As a result, he's soon set on a course that pits good against evil in the ultimate battle. The result: dazzling unrestrained action so exciting that it'll pump blood to parts of your body you didn't even know you had.

Playing out like a graphic novel, Goemon is a traditional folkloric story filled with humour and packed with hightened colour, exquisite art direction, stunning digital effects, thundering sound and lavish costumes (by local designer Tina Kalivas).

In true Japanese style, the film takes everything good from the Hollywood crop of comic book-styled action and fantasy and infuses it with unrestrained energy and cultural symbolism. In doing so, a film of great style and dynamism is created, making it a true big screen discovery for all audiences.

Drawn from the 2009 Cannes screening program, it is rare that a film of the likes of Goemon makes its way to Australian big screens, where it demands to be seen. One can only hope that a film like this can do for the fantasy genre what Japanese cinema has done for the horror genre in recent years.

Go, go, Goemon!