Kite (2014)

Director: Ralph Ziman
Starring: India Eisley, Samuel L Jackson, Callan McAuliffe

Synopsis:
A girl assassinates flesh peddlers with the aid of her father's partner to get to the person responsible for her parents' murder.

Impressions:
I haven't seen the anime on which this is based, mostly because of the explicit sex scene involving a minor (but even considering the edited version, it doesn't look particularly appealing), so I can't compare this adaptation with the original. On its own merits, it's a fair enough revenge story wading into the sordid world of human trafficking. India Eisley is suitably vulnerable and waifish as Sawa while still showing some decent action girl chops and I thought Callan McAuliffe was a good match for her as Oburi. Samuel L Jackson is about what you'd expect from him as Aker. The action is pretty good, though the CG gore effects are ridiculous (as CG gore always is). The run-down parts of Johannesburg where the movie was shot definitely fit the atmosphere of a world on the rocks. While it seems to have largely gotten a negative reception, I thought it was pretty good. I'd say it's worth seeing, but I could see why people may want to look elsewhere.

Rating:
50/50