Well, a pair of thoughts actually. BELOW, the trailer for “Ninja Assassin.”
Question number one: I get (and ADORE) that this film seems to “get” that Ninjas carry a certain ironic/humorous baggage with them at this point but that it’s “more fun” to play them stone-cold serious than joke about it, but… the title is a blatant redundancy on purpose, right? Cuz otherwise, “Ninja Assassin” is sort of like saying “gay homosexual” or “police cop.” Just sayin’.
Question number two: “International” readers (I must have some of those by now, right?) preferably from the East… is Rain (Korean pop superstar, lead actor here) taking – or can he be expected to take – any degree of “grief” from his native country for playing what I imagine has to be a Japanese hero character in this? I mean, Korea and Japan are still really, REALLY not fond of one another, correct?
MOVIEBOB CENTRAL 
RE: Japan and Korea
Kinda….. There's a lot of bad blood politically and amongst the older folk to are the majority in both countries, but for the past decade or two the nations have had such an amazing business relationship that they've almost become star crossed lovers.
They're still each convinced they're far superior to the other though…
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Typo above: should read “older folk WHO are the majority” plus there's a misplaced “and”
I need to learn to proofread.
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well actually Ninjas weren't really considered heroes, as they didn't fight properly (with honor) instead relying on stealth assassinations, so maybe some Koreans won't mind all that much
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About question 1: a Ninja is primarily a SPY, not necessarily a assassin.
NINJA assassin would be more like AGENT assassin…
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Ninja were rather like Spec-Ops to the Samurai's Regular Army. At least, that's the closest equivalent.
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“that dog is a gay homosexual” š
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maybe they mean that he assassinates ninjas?
As far as where you come from and what roles you are “allowed” to play… didn't Sean Connery play a Spaniard in Highlander?
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Hey guys and Bob:
There is no such thing as 'NINJAS'. (And I bet your pronouncing it NEHNJUHS but that's another lesson.) Jap. words don't change depending on how many there are.
EX: 3 sushi, >9000 Ninja, 2 Hibachi, etc.
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at 56 secs. nick the Greek, from lock stock and two smoking barrels gets it in the neck.
he must of been up to some proper dodgy dealings to get assassinated by an assassin assassin.
should have choked him with a dozen donkeys š
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Maybe Ninja Killer sounded TOO corny?
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technically, conory was an egyptian in highlander. he was older than spain.
he also played a russion in “the hunt for red october”.
and weeaboo, i mean kenpai, words get anglosized. we don't call it “espania” do we? going around correcting people for pronouncing forgeign words in a way that a native speaker of those words would not, is pretencious and irritating. you look like an asshole; stop it.
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Oh hey, so I just recognized Rain from his other Wachowski work in Speed Racer. He probably got this gig from that.
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Actually, it's not at all uncommon for Koreans to play Japanese character roles, even in mainstreamish western stuff (see: Ando in the Heroes television series, if I recall correctly). But it does happen more often than you'd expect in Japanese live action. I really don't know why, and I can't really find out because I don't live there anymore. Probably see above comment: good business relationship, getting over their past differences.
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