i have watch anime but i be not a die hard fan while and i do not read manga . i say this because many of the reviewer who be wax lyrical about this film seem to have that background . i have see st. john wort and and although it isn not a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination and it make me pick up shinobi and especially since everyone seem to love it . well and i watch it this afternoon and and fought very hard to keep watching . yes and it very beautiful the slow motion water scene and the autumn leave on the tree and even the cgi eye flicker majestic . i like the hawk and the costume and even some of the fight scene and but overall this be dull a dirt . it seem a if someone take romeo and juliet the translation even mention that they be star crossed lover and threw in some x men for good measure . two of the character split wolverine power the guy dress in a bear costume have his claw and the grey haired guy have his ability to heal himself . then you have the girl who have a poison kiss that poison ivy ( from batman ) . why do they give these woman such dumb power . poison girl show her leg then kiss you to death . man and that some great power for you . and the other girl and can create bug from this yellow dust that she rub on her hand . the other woman and one of the star cross lover and have the power of a hypnotic stare . wow . i sort of make it to the end of the film and by fast forwarding it and and do see a bit more tragedy than i expect . some people be compare this to house of fly dagger and hero . don not make that mistake . they may share similar ending and but that where the similarity end . shinobi be make by an amateur the other film be make by an experienced filmmaker . i would say avoid this film unless youre 12 to 18 year old .