Blu Release – 4/5
Warrior Against the Blind Swordsman
Director – Dasri Jacob (Angling Dharma, Rosita)
Starring – Barry Prima (Jaka Sembung, Hello Ghost), Advent Bangun (Without Mercy, Revenge of the Ninja), and Gudi Sintara (Escape from Hellhole, Golok Setan)
Release Date – 1983
Rating – 3.5/5
Tagline – “The Warrior, the man with supernatural strength is back”
I spend the entire month of October binging horror movies sent to me for review from various filmmakers, distributors, producers, and so on. A lot of times these spill over into November where I spent most of the month playing catch up. I love horror and I could never turn my back on my beloved genre but sometimes I do need a little break. M
ondo Macabro’s Warrior trilogy couldn’t have came at a better time. I needed something fun and a bit different to watch so I could recharge my batteries before diving into the Christmas themed horror that is quickly approaching. After watching 1981’s The Warrior, I quickly moved on to the sequel which was 1983’s The Warrior and the Blind Swordsman.
**Spoiler Alert** The Dutch army is unable to defeat Jaka Sembung (Prima) so they hold a tournament to find a champion capable of beating him. A blind swordsman comes out as victor and using magic he is able to trick the Dutch army into thinking he actually defeated Jaka Sembung. However, when they find out they try to kill him. He inadvertently teams up with Jaka Sembung and the pair terrorize the army together.
I had no idea how a film could be a follow up to Jaka Sembung but The Warrior and the Blind Swordsman fucking did. It was bigger, bolder, and the humor was still able to find it’s mark. Honestly, this sequel was more enjoyable than the first film which is really saying something.
The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect in a follow up film to Jaka Sembung. The acting is very cheesy with even more colorful characters added to this follow up. We get some fun performances from the cast as they bring some of the most animated characters in movie history to life.
The story for this one is a solid continuation from the first film with the addition of new characters. We continue to have the inclusion of magic and the martial arts is still the main focus of the film. Also, the film doesn’t shy away from the humor. In fact, this installment seems to include more humor than the first film which is one of the reasons I enjoy it more than the first.
Finally, we don’t get a lot of the blood and gore that some of us likes but we do get some great old school camera tricks and amazing choreography. The fight scenes are a lot of fun and the main reason to watch any of the films from this trilogy. Overall, The Warrior and the Blind Swordsman is a must see for martial arts fans especially if you like The Warrior. I couldn’t look away from this one and I know you will too. Check it out.
The Warrior and the Ninja
Director – H. Tjut Djalil (Dangerous Seductress, Lady Terminator)
Starring – Barry Prima (Get Married 3, Jakarta Undead), El Manik (Buffalo Boys, Hell Raiders), and Rita Zahara (The Ghostly Face, Jungle Virgin Force)
Release Date – 1985
Rating – 3/5
It’s hard to find a trilogy or franchise where all the films are consistently good. Most series become rushed garbage by the time it reaches the third installment. The companies want to cash in on the film’s previous installments so they skip quality control and focus more on quantity. Sure, there is several series or trilogies that have solid third entries but it’s not something that happens often.
I was very excited when I was sent the Warrior trilogy from Mondo Macabro. I had never seen the films before and was looking forward to some non-horror to check out. However, in the back of my mind I was hesitant about tossing in the third film. After watching the first two films it was time for the third one to be placed on the chopping block…and I loved it.
**Spoiler Alert** The film once again follows Jaka Sembung (Prima) who is still fighting against the Dutch military. He seems to have finally met his match but things take a turn in his favor when he is saved by a female ninja who helps him fight the good fight against the oppressive regime. **Spoiler Alert**
The Warrior and the Ninja may not be as good as the original films but god damn was it just as fun. It takes a story with a lot of elements from the previous film and gives us more martial arts and black magic action. As I said, it’s not as good as the previous two films but its a lot of fun.
The acting in this one is consistent with the other two films. Barry Prima once again hams up the screen with his cheesy interpretation of a classic action star. His emotionless expression and stiff dialogue is so much fun when you add in the intentional and unintentional humor along with the action. The supporting cast is more of the same with a lot of campy performances and uneven dialogue.
The story for this one does borrow parts from The Warrior Against the Blind Swordsman. We see Jaka Sembung partner with a female ninja to fight the Dutch army. While that is the only similarities to the story itself it still features several amazing fight scenes, humor, and cartoon like characters.
Finally, this is another one that uses classic movie tricks along with extensive choreographed fight scenes. They are fun to watch but those wanting blood may be disappointed. Overall, The Warrior and the Ninja is one of the few instances where the trilogy ends on a high note and doesn’t feature a quick cash grab. It’s a lot of fun and still has all the qualities that made the previous two films so much fun. Check them out!
Special Features:
None
