Shamo (2007)

After serving time for the murder of his parents, a fighter with a taste for violence enters the world of kickboxing.

Director:

Pou-Soi Cheang

Writers:

Izô Hashimoto (screenplay), Kam-Yuen Szeto (screenplay),

Stars:

Shawn Yue, Annie Liu, Francis Ng

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shawn Yue	...	Ryo Narushima
Annie Liu	...	Megumi
Francis Ng	...	Kenji Kurokawa
Masato	...	Sugawara Naoto
Dylan Kuo	...	Ryuichi Yamazaki
Siu-Lung Leung	...	Kensuke Mochizuki (as Bruce Leung)
Ryo Ishibashi	...	Principal Saeki
Weiying Pei	...	Natsumi Narushima (as Pei Pei)
Terri Kwan	...	Moemi Funato
Hiromi Nakajima	...	Yoko Kamio
Takuji Suzuki	...	Kawakami
Ka Sing Chau	...	Kouhei Fujiyoshi (as Chau Ka Sing)
Syria Leung	...	The Rich Madam
Agnes Pang	...	Manageress
Apple Chau	...	Floor Show Dancer

Storyline

Based on the Japanese Manga about Ryo Narushima, a talented, college-bound student who murders both of his parents in cold blood. He is sent to a reformatory where he trains in karate under Kenji Kurokawa, a man imprisoned after trying to assassinate the Japanese Prime Minister. Two years after his conviction, Ryo is released and begins a new life as an ultra-violent professional fighter.

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Genres:

Action

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Details

Country:

Hong Kong Japan

Language:

Cantonese English

Release Date:

6 March 2008 (Hong Kong)

Also Known As:

Jun chi

Filming Locations:

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Company Credits

Production Co:

Art Port, Same Way Productions Limited, Pony Canyon

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"METALLY (Flying Swamp Mix)"
Performed by LM.C
Lyrics, Composed & Arranged by LM.C

User Reviews

Somebody's teenage son wrote a screenplay

Well, the son wrote a first draft; writing is rewriting, after all.

It's a pity because had someone competent worked on this project, it could have been a pretty fine film. Instead, we're treated to terrible writing the actors can't disguise and fights which will eventually prompt the viewer to switch to x2 or x4 forward speed as opposed to turning this otherwise steaming pile of turd off.

Plot holes and cartoon-like characters aside (someone else mentioned it was based on a comic, which I suppose explains that aspect at least), there exists the potential for a good, brutal action-drama, but unfortunately, the utterly juvenile and painfully unwatchable delivery of the final output makes it easy to over-look this.

Actually, I'd be surprised if most viewers managed to get through this even at x16 speed. A very bad film indeed.