Aarcflick

The release of Lone Samurai marks the first major production Iko Uwais has directed. It's presented by his production company, Uwais Team; he's one of the executive producers, and Uwais's stunt team is on hand to provide the action. The only place his presence isn't felt is in front of the camera, opting instead for a take on the chambara genre, with the titular samurai arriving on a remote island after being battered by a typhoon while repelling a Mongol invasion in the 14th century. Played by the singular Shogen (Gensan Punch, Hero's Island), after an on-screen text recounts the Mongols' repeated attempts to invade Japan (only to be thwarted by typhoons!), we meet our failed samurai (literally and metaphorically) with a wooden stake through his leg and his sword broken in two. It's a captivating start, and those who watch Lone Samurai expecting an action-packed feast (a reasonable assumption given the credentials of those involved!) might be confused by th...