A Studio Full of Ninjas:
The Making of a Modern Animation Classic   

(continued)

By Alyce Wilson and Mike Ryan

FROM: Bart Fling
TO: Max Gorgonzola
CC: Blanche Wolfington
SUBJ: Plot Summary, Tale of Genii

Genii is the emperor's son, whose mother is killed by the evil courtesan, Lady Koki. Genii witnesses the killing but is chased out of the palace.

Living as a commoner, Genii broods. A handsome young man, he becomes popular with the ladies, arousing the jealousy of Lady Koki's oldest son, Prince Dread. What's worse, Genii marries the beautiful commoner, Ari, whom Prince Dread hoped to marry. The prince starts a rumor about Genii bedding a concubine, and Genii is forced into exile, leaving behind Ari and their son.

Visiting the Sumiyo Shrine, Genii meets a ninja fighter. We see an extended training sequence.

Genii returns to his hometown and discovers Ari has died. Their son, however, has grown into a strong youth. Genii befriends his young son, Mura, and trains him in the ninja ways, without revealing who he is.

Young Mura becomes a courtier at the emperor's court, now ruled by the evil prince, after the emperor's death. Mura expresses dislike for the cowardly Emperor Dread. Genii reveals his true identity. The two decide to wreak revenge for his murdered grandmother.

Together, Mura and Genii gather Mura's half-brother, Uki, and various cousins. Genii, Mura, Uki and their fighters launch a daring raid into the palace, where after a dramatic fighting sequence, they kill Emperor Dread. Mura takes over the throne, and the film ends with a celebratory feast and a flash forward as the elderly Genii bounces grandchildren on his knee within the palace grounds.

FROM: Max Gorgonzola
TO: Bart Fling
CC: Blanche Wolfington
SUBJ: Brilliant!

I just read through your plot summary, and I'm thrilled. Only one slight correction: it is Tale of Genji, not Tale of Genii. But who can keep these foreign names straight?

I'm officially giving this project a green light. I'm installing a sushi vending machine at your request.

FROM: Max Gorgonzola
TO: Blanche Wolfington
SUBJ: Casting

The final script is perfect! Thanks for adding more fighting sequences in the draggy bits. Can we get any high profile actors for voices? Maybe Tom Cruise as Genji, John Malkovitch as Prince Dread, Will Smith as Uki, Uma Thurman as Ari and Tobey Maguire as Mura?

FROM: Blanche Wolfington
TO: Max Gorgonzola
SUBJ: Re: Casting

I asked around, and your suggestions are out of our league. I have some ideas; I'll get back to you.

FROM: Blanche Wolfington
TO: Max Gorgonzola
SUBJ: Rod Egret Review

Our hard word has paid off. Take a look at this review, our best yet from acclaimed reviewer Rod Egret. I think we're on to something. Who owns the rights to Little House on the Prairie?

Ninja Palace: The Tale of Genji (1 out of 4 stars) (PG-13)

Lady Koki: Bette Midler
Prince Dread: Ben Affleck
Genji: John Stockwell
Mura: Jason Lee
Ari: Lacey Chabert
Uki: Howie Mandel

Ephemera Studios presents an animated film written and directed by Bart Fling and Charlie Algernon. Running time: 140 minutes. Rated PG-13 (for violence, sexuality).

BY ROD EGRET

Despite the name, this ninja revenge tale bears little resemblance to the ancient classic, Tale of Genji. Except for Genji, the character names have all been changed, shortened to appeal to a Western audience. Or perhaps the writers simply get confused by multisyllabic names.

Whether or not the writers are beer-swilling illiterates, the writing is only part of the problem. Bette Midler is over-the-top as Lady Koki, and the heftiness of her role compared to Genji's, indicates behind-the-scenes politicking by the Divine Miss M.

Genji is voiced by John Stockwell, who has done precious little since a supporting role in Top Gun. Perhaps they couldn't get Tom Cruise? Stockwell is out-shouted by the scenery-chewing Lady Koki and Prince Dread (Ben Affleck). Ben, who likely hoped for cinematic salvation, has been drawn into yet another contest of wills with a diva. When will he learn?

The understated work of Jason Lee and Lacey Chabert add a needed grace to a movie full of grandstanding, while Howie Mandel is refreshing as Uki, who provides comic relief. However, too much of the script is unintentionally laughable, such as the overwrought death scene where Genji's mother expires in his arms as he vows, "I will avenge you, Mommy!"

Sadly, if the opening weekend box office and the sales of merchandise are any indication, Ninja Palace will give Ephemera Studios the boost they needed to recover from an economic slump, and reviewers such as myself are doomed to more misguided literary adaptations from Ephemera. Watch out: Little Dojo on the Prairie might be next.