Yeah, I was confused too. Apparently someone asked Raekwon, Xzibit and Murs to perform “Legacy” in this restricted music video for ‘Ninja Assassin’…. because Hip Hop and Ninja’s go together like, well – you be the judge!
Seriously, can someone tell me what in the great hell hip hop and 90% of the lyrics have to do with Ninja’s or Ninja Assassin? All that aside, there’s some really kick ass footage from the movie and a beautiful, half naked Asian girl in this video.. so, check it out below and Enjoy!
That’s the same non-sense they did when they brought ‘Black Mask’ to the U.S. (or most of Jet Li’s more recent work for that matter). For some reason marketers think that the only way to get African-Americans to see foreign movies or movies with an Asian star, is to put hip-hop in the soundtrack. Even though hip-hop really doesn’t mesh with action scenes. As a fan of good soundtracks (i.e Matrix Reloaded, Project A-Ko, and Lexx to name a few) I hate when American marketers have so little faith in their audience that they have to add their own soundtrack over the original to get Americans to see it. And I personally hate the hip-hop=black audience thinking. Some of us don’t like rap. Just put good action, a little plot, and a good yet appropriate soundtrack, and I’m there (i.e. Blade 2).
On another note, the naked woman with the sword was really hot.
DuJuan, I’m totally with you. While I’m not a fan of rap or hip-hop, if it had any connection to the material whatsoever, I could easily give it a pass but it is very much talking down to the audience to pander like that.
The ironic thing is, I’m now less interested in this movie than I was before… I feel like I should wait for someone else to be the lab rat that sees this first, so they can let me know if that ’soundtrack’ is audible throughout the film… because if it is, it will ruin every hope I had for this film to begin with – but if the only time we have to hear it is during the closing credit, then I can deal with it.
What I don’t understand is how we went from a fairly hard rock/heavy metal soundtrack in some of the trailers (which did mesh pretty well) to a fairly moderate tempo hip-hop tune that really drags down the adrenaline of the visuals. All in all, I’d prefer they went with an Asian Style Orchestral Score though because it would just be more natural and appropriate.
I’m still going to see it at the show when it comes out, so I volunteer to be the ‘lab rat’. Knowing they added a hip-hop soundtrack to the movie will diminish would could be a really good movie. Heaven forbid if movie marketers think Americans are capable of enjoying music composed overseas. Thankfully, someone out there will release an original cut DVD.
On another note, how ’bout that hot naked woman with the sword?
Great, make sure you let me know if it’s safe to go see in the theater, otherwise I will be waiting for the Directors Cut and preferably an Asian import version that won’t treat me like I’m incapable of dealing with other cultures.
Yeah, I forgot to comment on that… she was hot, but for an age restricted video.. I don’t think they showed enough of her!
I just got home from seeing ‘Ninja Assassin’ tonight and I’m happy to report there was only minimum use of hip hop in the soundtrack. There was a rap track at the beginning in the first 3 minutes, but as soon as the action started it was quickly discarded for more appropriate sound. The rap track was used only at the beginning and that was it. The rest of was balls to the wall action with good music. If your looking for well choreographed, over the top action, good f/x, and LOTS of blood, with just enough plot to move the story along, I highly recommend this.
I guess the music video here was just to let black people know this movie exists.
DuJuan, I’d have to say that there were more African American people in the crowd than Asians when I saw “Ninja Assassin”!
Thanks for the update DuJuan, it sounds better than expected and I may have to hit the theater for this one before it’s gone!
That means either the video worked (which I highly doubt, but the marketers will take credit for it anyway) or people will flock to a good action movie (which seems to be in short supply in the American market these days).
Well, it’s not a surprise to me at least that there’s a strong following of martial arts films from the African American audience. If the film were a foreign action film, I’d expect to see more Asians there. The marketers giving “Ninja Assassin” a hip hop edge is smart marketing on their part!
Good point DuJuan, with a slew of action movies coming down the pike.. that won’t be an issue for much longer. It’s going to be like an 80s action revival (almost literally) with movies like ‘The Expendables’ and ‘The A Team’ on the way.