OLD-SCHOOL NINJAS IN THE new century? That is exactly what ?Ninja Assassin? is all about.

Raizo (Rain) was taken from the streets and trained as a cold-blooded killer by the Ozuno clan. When the clan executes his only friend, he betrays them and is hunted down. He is forced to go into hiding.

At the same time, Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris), a Europol agent, begins investigating money connected to political murders and discovers it is linked to the mythical Ozunu clan.

The clan, upon finding out about Mika?s investigation, attempts to assassinate her, but Raizo rescues her.

With his reemergence, he must find a way to take down the Ozunu clan with the help of Mika so as to satisfy his thirst for revenge.

Right from the start, viewers will see that the movie is heavily anchored on its intense and extremely violent action scenes, making it one of the most gruesome and bloodiest to date. Noticeably, however, the blood (which is abundant) is purely CGI, but does not entirely take out the fun from the film.

The fast-paced action sequences are almost at par with ?The Matrix,? but at times it becomes confusing to check who?s fighting whom. In a way, it contributes to the perception that ninjas are so fast and stealthy that it?s hard to actually see how they move in real life.

The bullets and guns that we see in most action films are replaced by shurikens, five-pointed ninja weapons used abundantly in the film, and sliced bodies and limbs.

For most of the film, viewers will either be in awe of the slick fight scenes or overwhelmed by the geysers of blood.

There?s also little to no acting in the film, save for Rain?s stone-faced expression, which he consistently and naturally maintains throughout.

The plot, which is mainly about a man seeking revenge, is predictable but can be overlooked, thanks largely to the heavy action scenes.

Possibly the coolest aspect of the film is that it provides viewers with a glimpse of the life of a ninja, including his weaponry, philosophy and brutal training.

The sounds of swords clashing and shurikens sailing are highly realistic and help illuminate certain action scenes that are hard to follow. But, at the same time, it is hard to imagine heavily armed policemen being easily defeated by blade-wielding ninja killers.

Nevertheless, ?Ninja Assassin? is a fun and intense film that tickles the imagination on what it?s like to be a ninja living in the shadows. But it?s not for the weak of heart.