The final chapter of the epic Shinobi saga. When we left our heroes, Kagerou and Aoi, they were running through the woods of Japan otherwise known as the Kingdom of Aiga. They were Shinobi on the run. Aoi was poisoned, and Kagerou was forced to work with a two-faced shinobi who might be their friend, or he might be working for the local tribal strongman. In Shinobi 3, we were also introduced to power hungry warlords because Aiga is in the middle of a civil war, in case you didn't hear the same introduction that plays in the opening of each movie.
To be honest, Shinobi 4 is the best of the series. Things actually happen in this movie. Some things make sense. Some don't. Of course, there is running through the woods. There are also plenty of random ninjas and sword swinging. And in a case of lack of imagination, they bring back the crazed Kagerou-hating madman from Shinobi 2. His reappearance is an extreme stretch in what is an entire saga of reality stretching.
But whereas Shinobi 2 and Shinobi 3 were filler following the Shinobi 1 introduction of story, Shinobi 4 brings the story to an emotional ending. After watching over six hours of Kagerou and Aoi running through the woods, I grew attached to them. I wanted them to find a way out and escape the drama, trials, and tribulations of shinobi life.
I will say, Shinobi 4 hit me in the feels. It had the same B-level dialog, effects, and plot, but I felt for the characters. I wouldn't recommend any of these movies to anyone unless you are a martial arts movie fan or a glutton for bad movies (I happen to be both.). But out of all the Shinobi flick, Shinobi 4 found the way to my heart.
Grade: 3 sad shinobis out of 5
