Assalamualaikum
A few days ago I had the opportunity to watch the latest movie Ninja Assassin. Starring the Korean singer/actor Rain. I was very intrigue at first as to how they depict the true nature of a ninja. With all the shuriken throwing, katana wielding and all sorts of unsual weaponry. Ninja in its nature also have influenced on their choice of weapon. Silent and deadly accurate. One swing of a katana from a master ninja could be fatal. I've always have an interest in martial arts. Understanding how it functions through mathematical applications and the mastery of the human anatomy.
Back to the movie... Since I was small I've been exposed to many forms of martial arts based movies. Be it American, Japanese or Chinese. During the 80s martial arts based movies are a bit stiff. It's like every single move the combatants made was pre-planned. Well, I don't care what it looked like during that time. What I knew was that I loved martial arts sooo much. It is not until I get myself involved in martial arts then I started to understand a little as to what martial arts is all about. Practising martial arts in real life is not like in the movies where every move your opponent made was pre-planned and choreographed. In real life there's no such thing as "choreographed" movements. The punches and kicks are real and have the potential to fatal if not done in a proper manner. And it HURTS too!
every single punch and kick that came into contact with my body was as real as it gets. But, no worries, when you are learning martial arts in a classroom or a dojo or an open field, you are taught to control your punches and kicks so that it will not hurt your sparring partner. Ninja came about in Japan somewhere during the feudal era where there were endless fightings and killings of between the government and the rebels. To simplify, ninja are highly trainned fighters in the art of stealth. Today, people would see ninjas as assasins. But ninjutsu practitioners would say otherwise. Basically, in the movie, Rain@Raizo was trained to kill. His sole purpose was to obey his master's orders in anyway possible. But somewhere in the story Raizo's subconscious mind (his good side) starts to take over. If it wasn't for the girl whom he came to know at the dojo who taught him about mercy and compassion, which finally got her killed. And Raizo finally founded his humane side and decided to stick with it. The only thing now, is he have to betray his whole clan to protect what he believes is the right thing to do. He ended up being hunt down by his own clan. Basically, his master wants him dead. But he also wanted Raizo to suffer before he dies.
The fighting scene in this movie was cool. But it only had one problem. There are too many special effects. I don't mind the special effects, where they made the ninja like superfast and stuff. But, too much of that will destroy the art of ninjutsu. People will not be able to see the actual technique and style of ninjutsu. All they see was chaotic fighting. A ninja is trained to be calm. Their ability to adapt and manuever in the environment are amazing. This could also be applied in our daily lives. We live now in a world where you are required to be on your feet everytime and are required to make on the spot decisions. I'd say this requires a bit of ninja training. Not to be a killer, but to be a more confident and calm individual who does not act on hastiness. Take your time to think before you do or say something. Becuase it's worth the time insyaAllah.
