Salvage Mice

Salvage Mice

Subpar and silly

By

Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on April 2012

Japan has a tradition of cheesy chopsockey flicks that rivals the leaders of genre, Hong Kong, and as one might expect the native versions are often more campy and less technically accomplished in terms of martial arts.

This farce is set in Hiroshima and centers on crime-stopper/do-gooder Mai (Mitsuki Tanimura) is in disguise as Salvage Mice. She rescues art treasures that have been stolen and returns them to their rightful owners. After a big museum is hit she is betrayed by longtime partner Mariku (Tomohito Sato), who joins the criminals and manages to get placed on the wanted list. But luckily Mai finds high school badass Mio (Julia Nagano) to join her and the pair of young hotties set out to kick butt.

Unfortunately the martial arts is mainly subpar and the story, obviously, silly. Watchable but not exciting, even for those who like the genre. (81 min)