The Hunted Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A businessman in Japan has a one-night stand, sees a ninja, and suddenly needs to learn to swordfight to not die, because samurai.

🍿 The Hunted: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Unexpected Witness

Paul Racine, a businessman in Japan, has a one-night stand with a mysterious woman named Kirina. However, their encounter takes a deadly turn when ninja assassins attack Kirina in her hotel room. Paul inadvertently witnesses the murder and sees the face of the ninja leader, Kinjo. This makes him a target, as no one who has seen Kinjo’s face has ever lived to tell the tale.

Hunted and Protected

Injured and now a marked man, Paul finds himself pursued by Kinjo and his ninja clan. He is rescued by Takeda, a samurai and an expert on the ninja cult, and his wife, Mieko. Takeda reveals that his family has a centuries-old blood feud with Kinjo’s clan, adding another layer of danger to Paul’s situation. Takeda and Mieko take Paul to their family’s stronghold, using him as bait to draw Kinjo out.

Training and Preparation

At the stronghold, Paul begins to learn about swordsmanship and the samurai code of honor from a blacksmith and Mieko. He realizes that he must confront Kinjo to survive. Meanwhile, Kinjo discovers that Kirina’s murder was commissioned by a Yakuza boss, leading him to question his own actions and the motivations behind the assassination. A final confrontation looms as the ninja attack the stronghold.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Paul Racine (Christopher Lambert): A computer-chip executive from New York who becomes the target of a ninja clan after witnessing an assassination.
• Kinjo (John Lone): The ruthless leader of a ninja clan who seeks to eliminate Paul Racine for seeing his face.
• Takeda Sensei (Yoshio Harada): The last in a line of samurai who protects Paul and seeks revenge against Kinjo for past transgressions.
• Kirina (Joan Chen): A mysterious woman who Paul meets and has a one night stand with but is assassinated by Kinjo.
• Mieko Takeda (Yôko Shimada): The loyal wife of Takeda Sensei, who aids in protecting Paul and upholding her samurai family’s honor.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mieko Takeda: “Nothing can stop them from finding and killing you.” – Mieko is explaining the danger Paul is in, emphasizing the ninjas’ relentless nature.
• Mieko Takeda: “Even monkeys fall out of trees.” – She says this as a sort of explanation as to why Kinjo might have failed to kill Paul.
• Takeda Sensei: “One who is a samurai must before all things keep constantly in mind, by day and by night… the fact that he has to die.” – This quote, attributed to Daidoji Yuzan, is shown at the beginning of the movie, setting the tone.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $6,609,661
• Worldwide Gross: $6,609,661

💥 The Hunted Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this as a kid and being completely blown away by the train scene. The sheer brutality of it was unlike anything I’d seen before. While the story is a bit cheesy and Lambert isn’t the greatest actor, the action is solid and the Japanese cast really sells the whole samurai vs. ninja conflict. Definitely a fun, if somewhat flawed, action flick.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of martial arts films”
  • “Viewers interested in ninja and samurai lore”
  • “Those who enjoy action thrillers with sword fights”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Bloody sword fights”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “An American visiting Japan witnesses an assassination and is now targeted. He’s helped by a samurai clan leading to sword fights and action. The film delivers with one standout sequence: a samurai-ninja battle on a bullet train. A decent B-thriller that delivers what it promises.
• JoBlo.com: “This film is a solid, entertaining action flick. The story’s engaging, with Christopher Lambert delivering an acceptable performance. The action sequences are well-executed, especially the ninja vs. samurai battle on the bullet train. It’s a good, fun, and semi-intelligent B-action flick.
• IMDb: “The Hunted is a trashy yet enjoyable action movie. The plot is poor but it’s short, energetic, and requires no thought. Although Christopher Lambert’s character doesn’t add much to the story, and the final confrontation is far from believable, the movie delivers just enough to make it an OK watch if you’re looking for an undemanding movie.

Audience Reactions

The bullet train scene is a standout moment, filled with intense and brutal action.: Viewers generally enjoyed the fast-paced action and the clash between samurai and ninjas.

Yoshio Harada delivers a cool and mysterious performance as Takeda.: The Japanese actors were lauded for their strong performances and authenticity.

Overall Consensus: A decent action movie with great sword fight and an ok story line. The highlight is the bullet train action sequence.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The exterior shots of the train were filmed on location in Japan, but the interior shots were filmed on a set at Bridge Studios in Vancouver, B.C.”
• “The writer of ‘Pretty Woman’, J.F. Lawton, wrote and directed this film.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Hunted?

Currently, ‘The Hunted’ (1995) is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check these services for availability in your region and any potential free streaming options with a subscription.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Hunted, you might like these similar films:

• Black Rain (1989): American cop investigates the Yakuza in Japan, navigating unfamiliar cultural codes.
• Shogun Assassin (1980): Classic samurai film with intense sword fights and a revenge theme, though much more violent.
• The Yakuza (1974): Explores similar themes of honor and loyalty within the Japanese underworld.

🛒 The Hunted Related Products

• Samurai Japanese Katana Sword Set: A decorative katana set, inspired by the movie’s samurai culture, perfect for display and collection. The intricate designs and sharp finishes make them authentic-looking.
• Ninja Costume for Adults: High-quality ninja costume, inspired by the movie’s ninja assassins, perfect for cosplay and Halloween. The durable fabric and authentic design provide a realistic ninja experience.
• Ghost of Tsushima (PS4/PS5): An open-world samurai game where you become a ghost warrior in feudal Japan. Experience sword combat and stealth, embracing the samurai code or the way of the Ghost.
• Bushido: The Soul of Japan: An informative book on the samurai code and Japanese culture. Offers insights into the values and traditions depicted in ‘The Hunted,’ enhancing the understanding of the samurai.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Hunted features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Tokyo Blues” – performed by George Lawton
• “Various Taiko Drum Themes” – performed by Kodo Drummers

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Hunted (1995) train fight full scene

Wow, this train fight scene is absolutely intense! Seeing it in its entirety gives you a real appreciation for the choreography and raw energy. You have to check it out, it’s one of the best scenes!

Knife Expert Breaks Down The Hunted Sayoc Kali Knife Scene with Tommy Lee Jones | Scenic Fights

Ever wonder about the knife fighting style in ‘The Hunted’? This video breaks down the Sayoc Kali technique used, and it’s super fascinating! I never knew so much went into those scenes; you’ll be amazed at the detail.

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