ridiculous rating

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

Assassin for hire Ogami (superbly played by the husky Tomisaburo Wakayama) battles a group of deadly female ninjas led by the ruthless Sayaka (a deliciously vicious portrayal by Kayo Matsuo) and accepts an assignment to kill a traitor who's planning on selling his clan's secrets to the Shogunate.Director Kenji Misumi keeps the absorbing story moving along at a steady pace, delivers oodles of outrageously excessive blood-spurting violence, and stages the exciting sword fights with rip-snorting aplomb, with the climax set in the desert in particular rating as an absolute corker. Writer Kazou Koike not only sets up several formidable opponents for Ogami to deal with (the Hidari brothers with their huge hats and colorful weapons are some seriously nasty dudes), but also offers several touching moments between Ogami and his loyal son Daigoro (adorable Akihiro Tomikawa). Moreover, Daigoro actually kills a few people himself thanks to his booby trap equipped baby cart (!). Hideaki Sakurai's sumptuous widescreen cinematography presents a wealth of striking visuals. A fine follow-up.

Trailed by a clan of female ninja, Ogami is paid to assassinate a clan traitor accompanied by three killers known as the Monks of Death.The English title refers to the River Styx, which strictly speaking is not accurate. Instead it should be the Sanzu River, or River of Three Crossings, which is a Japanese Buddhist tradition and religious belief similar to the Greek concept of the River Styx. It is believed that the dead must cross the river on the way to the afterlife, a belief reflected in Japanese funerals when six coins are placed in the casket with the dead. The change is understandable, but unfortunate.Anyway, this ongoing adventure is just great. A samurai assassin with a small child in tow. Not really a baby, but a toddler in a stroller or buggy. Not being familiar with the manga, I think this is a brilliant idea and I am somewhat surprised it has not been remade by an American director.

Another winner in the BABY CART series (but honestly, I can't find too much fault in any of the films in this set of "classic" films...) and personally my favorite single entry...This one has the Lone Wolf and his Cub still enjoying the "misadventures" of samurai-for-hire, and of course their quest for vengeance against the Yagyu clan that initially betrayed them. Some intriguing enemies in this one includes a band of female ninjas and the "Gods Of Death". There is also the requisite side story of Itto's "hit of the day"...This one has some pretty fast-and-furious fight scenes and is probably the most action packed of the series. Again, like the other entries, good acting, great sets and costumes, beautiful camera-work, and the almost magical but extremely unorthodox "chemistry" between father and son are not to be missed. Highly Recommended 9/10

Watch this film and whole set of baby cart films. River Styx is both stylistic and packed with action. The Gods of Death are perfectly evil and cool. The opening of film sets the pace and style, with lone wolf ninja encounter. The female ninja clan are sexually sadistic, show the highest qualities of female empowerment.This film is great cinema, well shot, edited and runs smoothly. Highly enjoyable, with a great mise en scene, every frame has meaning and every scene has value.Once you buy this film you will want all Kenji's films, including the great blind swordsman films.For action and style River Styx is hard to beat.