- Actors : Masanori Mimoto, Miu, Tasuku Nagase, Takaya Aoyagi, Takashi Nishina
- Director : Kensuke Sonomura
- Media Format : Dolby, Subtitled, Surround Sound, Widescreen
- Run time : 1 hour and 17 minutes
- Release date : July 20, 2021
- MPAA rating : NR (Not Rated)
- Studio : Well Go Usa
- Country of Origin : USA
- Number of discs : 1
There isn’t necessarily anything wrong with a
genre film having a derivative plot. In some ways, we go to see genre movies
because of their familiarity, and the ability to give us what we came for. Audiences
don’t go to romantic comedies expecting to see the couple do anything other
than fall in love by the end of the movie, and most watch martial arts movies
with the understanding that there are storylines that get re-used time after
time. This is because they work. Hydra leans heavily into a set-up which
has been used countless times in action movies, especially ones with martial
arts. But while there isn’t much new to the story, that simply makes the fighting
elements of the film that much more important.
If nothing else,
Hydra has simplicity in the storyline, following an assassin who has
retired to work at a small sushi bar. Why Takashi (Masanori Mimoto) has chosen
this life, and this specific bar, is a mystery that is not revealed
immediately, though it is not difficult to guess given how often it has been used
in the genre. With him at the bar is the bartender Rina (Miu), who seems to
attract the attention of a few unsavory types of customers, with Takashi always
taking notice. A waiter at the restaurant believes this is because Takashi is
in love with Rina, but the truth is much more complicated than that, revealed
to us in a series of flashbacks of Takashi’s life as an assassin.
Though these
flashbacks do provide some context and the occasional scene of brief action, much
of the film takes place in the sushi bar, Hydra. And it isn’t until the climax
that the action really has the opportunity to pick up. Even then, action fans
expecting a blow-out payoff after enduring the laid-back pace of much of the
film may be disappointed. On the other hand, true connoisseurs of martial arts may
be impressed by the practical accomplishments achieved in the fight choreography.
Simple as it may be, this leaves nowhere for the performers to hide, as it is
purely their skill on display. Had the entire film been as exciting as the
final fight, however, it would be a lot easier to recommend Hydra to
anyone other than die-hard martial arts fans.
The simplicity
of the storytelling in Hydra clearly comes from necessities of the budget.
Even the look of the cinematography lends itself to a lower budget. The larger
issue is the amount of time the audience must wait until the action begins, and
the lack of compelling character development leading up to these moments. What
the film needs more of are these moments, especially given the fact that
director Kensuke Sonomura has a background in stunt work. Unfortunately, the
elements outside of the fight choreography are far more forgettable.
The Blu-ray
release has no special features to speak of. The only reason for the upgrade would
be the high definition presentation, though it often makes the shortcomings in
cinematography even more noticeable.
Entertainment Value:
6/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 5.5/10
Historical
Significance: 3/10
Special Features: 0/10
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