Rian Johnson is the somewhat hated director of the films "Brick", "Looper", the controversial "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" and the well-received "Knives Out" from just last year, none of which I've seen. I confess to have checked out a couple of his early independent short films simply because independent filmmaking is one of my hobbies, and also because of how much criticism he has garnered surrounding the new Star Wars trilogy. For quite some time I've had an extreme fondness for independent short films, and looking through the man's filmography decided to check some of it out.
"Ninja Ko, the Origami Master" was Mr. Johnson's first film and to be honest the only reason it has earned a page on IMDb is probably because of the popularity he would later achieve. Why I say this is obvious: Looking at the film, as another reviewer pointed out, it was clearly a mini-project the filmmaker worked on with a few of his friends in what was probably high school. The concept and execution of the entire film is deliberately silly and gives off the air of a home movie somebody might make to amuse themselves. The story is simple, as Master Ninja Ko makes use of his incredible origami skills to outwit the bandits he meets along his way, yet very creative for what it is.
The other reviewer need not judge this so harshly. From the conventional standpoint of professional filmmaking, yes, this is a mess of a film. Yes, it makes no sense why the bandit wouldn't shoot him while he escapes in the car. That doesn't matter. It's a couple of teenage boys having fun, that's all. I for one was fairly amused and thought they made an enjoyable little film.
"Ninja Ko, the Origami Master" was Mr. Johnson's first film and to be honest the only reason it has earned a page on IMDb is probably because of the popularity he would later achieve. Why I say this is obvious: Looking at the film, as another reviewer pointed out, it was clearly a mini-project the filmmaker worked on with a few of his friends in what was probably high school. The concept and execution of the entire film is deliberately silly and gives off the air of a home movie somebody might make to amuse themselves. The story is simple, as Master Ninja Ko makes use of his incredible origami skills to outwit the bandits he meets along his way, yet very creative for what it is.
The other reviewer need not judge this so harshly. From the conventional standpoint of professional filmmaking, yes, this is a mess of a film. Yes, it makes no sense why the bandit wouldn't shoot him while he escapes in the car. That doesn't matter. It's a couple of teenage boys having fun, that's all. I for one was fairly amused and thought they made an enjoyable little film.
