Sakuya: The Slayer of Demons - C+
By Kage Alan

The year is 1707 and Mt. Fuji in Japan erupts. We’re not talking just lava and ash either. No way. We’re talking a huge number of demons that are released onto the earth and that just spells t-r-o-u-b-l-e. Naturally there are those who fight the demons and with magical or special weapons. Our young heroine-to-be named Sakuya has a father who wields a sword with fantastic powers, only there’s a hitch; it drains its user of vital lifeforce. Doesn’t that just bite? Speaking of biting, her father takes on one particular monster, a “kappa”, and dies during the fight.

From death comes life, right? It turns out the “kappa” left behind a young baby monster who looks just like a human child, only he ages several years in a short amount of time and has a spot on the top of his head that allows him some sort of monster power. Now, what could that be? Anyway, Sakuya takes over as Demon Slayer and is off in search of a way to rid the world of the threat forever. This is no easy task, otherwise we wouldn’t have much of a running time on the film. With two other fighters and a “kappa” child in tow with her, Sakuya beings her long journey to face the dreaded Spider Queen, who just happens to be briefly played in one guise by legendary singer/actress Anita Mui.

There are a huge number of special effects and marital arts stunts spread throughout the film and while it can be very exciting, it tends to lack enough seriousness to make it something adults will enjoy. On the other hand, there’s a bit too much violence for kids, yet many of demon’s costumes tend to resemble overgrown Muppets and it’s a little difficult to watch some of them without laughing outright. In the end, “Sakuya” turns out to be a mixed bag of cool special effects and a story that just doesn’t measure up.