4 Star

Brocken Ties.

From the writer/director Norifumi Suzuki (THE VALIANT RED PEONY: Red Peony Gambler I-III, Sex and Fury / Female Yakuza Tale) that brought us so many action films during 1960s-70s and 1980s, Roaring Fire is one of his most adventurous. As he uses his imagination for the fight locations, Roaring Fire is a rip-roaring action extravaganza.

In the back-streets and alleyways of Hong Kong, Toru Hinoharu the heir to a major business corporation runs for his life, as he is chased by the goons of a rival syndicate. He is unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, in Texas USA Joji Hibiki (Hiroyuki Sanada, Royal Warriors, LEGEND OF THE EIGHT SAMURAI) is wrangling cattle on his fathers ranch, but he is in for a shock, as his father has a revelation for him, that he tells on his deathbed. He is told that his father kidnapped him when he was very young, and that he is the twin brother of Toru Hinoharu, and he has a sister Chihiro Hinohara (Etsuko Shihomi, BODYGUARD KIBA 1 + 2, The Street Fighter Trilogy). He also finds out that his parents died mysteriously in a private plane crash.

There is a montage of Toru and Joji growing up on different continents but having the same martial arts training.

Joji arrives in Kobe, and soon falls foul to a pickpocket, but somehow he gets the thief to give him a ride to the address of his old family home. But this leads us to see his skills as we come across the new owners retainer Spartacus (Abdullah the Butcher) after some very acrobatic wire work, he earns Spartacus’ respect, but he is also spotted by the new owner who mistakes Joji for the ‘missing’ Toru.

This sets in motion the fight for the right to run the family business, with hilarious results, but undeniable skill shines through as the fights take to the streets of Hong Kong. Brilliant stuff, a definite candidate for your Martial Arts shelf.

Roaring Fire is available on Blu-ray from Toy Robot Video

 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

NEW Audio Commentary with film historian Brian Bankston
NEW Fire-storm!, Japanese film critic Akihiko Ito on Sonny Chiba, the man, the actor, the legend
NEW A Roaring Success, critic James Mudge (easternKicks.com) offers a retrospective on Roaring Fire
NEW Wrestle with Fire, pro-wrestling critic and film writer Chris Lines on the life and times of Abdullah the Butcher
NEW A Buffet of Comedy and Action, critic Clément Rauger discusses the secrets of Roaring Fire