“Hydra” is a low budget film, boosted by its wonderful action choreography. If you are looking for an entertaining Japanese popcorn action flick, definitely give “Hydra” a chance!
TITLE: Hydra
FILM RELEASE: 2019
DURATION: 78 Minutes
BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition, Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio, Subtitles: English
COMPANY: WellGo USA Entertainment
RATED: Not Rated
Release Date: July 20, 2021
Directed by Sonomura Kensuke
Writer: Kaneko Jiro
Produced by Yamada Masataka
Executive Producer: Kogawa Yoshitsugu, Nakajima Kazunari
Cinematography by Suzuki Yasuyuki
Edited by Sonomura Kensuke
Starring:
Mimoto Masanori as Sato Takashi
Miu as Kishida Rina
Nagase Tasuku as Kirita Kenta
Aoyagi Takaya as Miyazaki Shinichi
Nishina Takashi as Sugimoto Masa
Kibe Satososhi as Mirai Yosuke
Sonomura Kensuke as Rick
Hydra – a small bar in the middle of Tokyo. There’s Takashi, standoffish guy working where he hides his another identity of a highly skilled hit man now has to face a brutal killing game that he has been pointed as a target.
Making his filmmaking directorial debut, Sonomura Kensuke, known for his work as a stunt choreographer and action director for films such as “Manhunt”, “The Next Generation Patlabor: Shuto Kessen”, “Gantz: O” and video games such as “Resident Evil: Vendetta” and “Resident Evil 3″, |Vangquish”, “Bayonetta”, “Sengoku BASARA” is directing “Hydra”.
Written by Kaneko Jiro (“Samurai Angel Wars”, “Ketai Sosakan 7” and anime series “Virus Buster Serge”), the film stars Mimoto Masanori (“Death Note”, “Alien vs. Ninja”, “Silver Hawk”), Miu, Nagase Tasuku (“Kamen Rider Wizard”, “Kamen Rider Zi-O”, “Cutey Honey: Tears”), Aoyagi Takaya (“Ultraman Orb”, “Ultraman Z”), Nishina Takashi (“Battle Royale II”, “Brother”) and many more.
The film was originally released back in 2019 and now it will be released in the US courtesy of WellGo USA Entertainment.
The film begins with a man being stabbed to death and a person coming in after to clean the body and dispose of it.
The film then shifts to a bar known as Hydra owned by Kishida Rina (portrayed by Miu), who runs the bar after her father had gone missing. Along with her waiter Kirita Kenta (portrayed by Nagase Tasuku), both are quite lovely with the exception of their cook, Sato Takashi (portrayed by Mimoto Masanori).
While Mimoto is a good cook, he rarely shows emotion and looks like he is always pissed off, so often others are scared by him.
But we learn that Sato is not just a cook, he also is a former assassin who wants to live a normal life and not kill anyone.
But when a killer targets Sato and his fellow assassins, he may end up putting his co-workers into harms way.
I think that for some people who are sentai fans, fans may want to turn into this action film because it features these stunt men and action choreographers in taking part in a martial arts action film.
And to be truthful, within the first few minutes of the film, I was thinking that “Hydra” is more low budget martial arts film that would lack an interesting storyline but deliver in action. Suffice to say, there are some action films directed by first time directors who had stunt backgrounds and the results are not always that good.
I can safely say that “Hydra” does have an interesting storyline that can easily lead to a sequel and fortunately and the film’s action sequences well-choreographed make this film worth catching.
While a popcorn action film at heart, I believe what makes the film work is thanks to its director and cast who come from a stunt/action background.
Sonomura Kensuke was an action choreographer for filmmaker John Woo’s popular 2017 film “Manhunt” and you have some cast who starred in “Kamen Rider” and “Ultraman” series but what makes the film work is that it keeps things simple.
Mimoto Masanori does a fantastic job of playing a character who is stoic, doesn’t show off emotion, but while his character of Sato Takashi is a kick ass assassin, while at work at Hydra, his mannerisms adds to the humor of the film.
I think the film could have done without the grotesque murder scenes because it made the film feel like it would have bloody, violent storyline. But it turns out that the grotesque scenes are primarily at the first few minutes of the opening of the film.
As for the Blu-ray release, the film shot digitally looks good and as the film tries to keep it simple with minimal location shots. Dialogue is in Japanese with English subtitles and dialogue and action sequences are crystal clear through the front channels. There are no special features.
If anything, “Hydra” may be a low budget action film, but it’s made to be much more entertaining thanks to its wonderful action choreography. If you are looking for an entertaining Japanese popcorn action flick, definitely give “Hydra” a chance!
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