lone wolf and cub

Certain movies make a collection complete. We're not talking romantic comedies or dime-a-dozen superhero flicks, although they have their place. There is always a specific case one pulls off the shelf when it's time to impress another jaded collector; and Lone Wolf and Cub is it. Originally released in the U.S as Shogun Assassin, a cut-down version of the first two films in the series, all six original Lone Wolf films are now available from the Criterion Collection in one magnificent box set.

Based on Kazuo Koike's Japanese manga series first published in 1970, the films retain the same premise and hyper-realistic visual style accomplished the geysers of blood and flying body parts. Yet somehow none of them ever become a parody of the samurai genre, riding on the stoic shoulders of star Tomisaburo Wakayama as Itto Ogami, a former Shogunate Executioner framed as a traitor who sets out on the "Demon Path to Hell" along with his equally stoic toddler as a hired assassin.

The first film Sword of Vengeance (1972) sets the stage for Itto's longstanding grudge against the Yagyu clan, who've murdered his wife and ruined his family name. Swearing revenge, the swordmaster hits the road with his 3-year-old son, Daigoro, in a custom-made baby cart (complete with machine guns and assorted hidden blades) hoping to earn a living, kill his enemies and regain his honor. As Itto's fame spreads, he's hired for several high profile assassinations, always insisting on full disclosure of all the "reasons and secrets" before accepting a job. Despite dealing in death and carnage, the former samurai approaches his new career with honor, usually righting several wrongs before all the blood has been spilled.

And, boy, does it get spilled! As the series progresses the fight scenes become more creative and exaggerated with Itto taking on armies of enemies and frequent "boss battles" against memorable rivals, each of whom spurts blood like a garden hose when dispatched. It would all be quite ridiculous if it wasn't so beautifully staged, with gorgeous landscapes and masterful shot compositions as the backdrop for Itto's duels, most of which are over in the blink of an eye. Director Kenji Misumi and those who followed him always find a way to keep the formula fresh, jumping from vast deserts to snowy mountain peaks, capturing all the mayhem with a surprising amount of artistry.

Besides Sword of Vengeance the set includes Baby Cart at the River Styx, Baby Cart to Hades, Baby Cart in Peril, Baby Cart in the Land of the Demons and White Heaven in Hell. Each high-def transfer looks incredibly colorful and detailed, with the new 2K restorations having an obvious edge over of any previous set. Toho films are always a mixed bag but that's certainly not the case here. And it comes with an extravagant line-up of special features, including the hi-def presentation of the aforementioned Shogun Assassin from 1980. The first two discs make up the feature films, while Assassin and the other supplementary materials are included on disc three. They include interviews with Kazuo Koike, sword expert Sensei Yoshimitsu Katsusue, and biographer Kazuma Nozawa who discusses director Kenji Misumi. There's also a 2005 Making Of that covers the genesis of the entire series, a 1937 documentary focused on the making of samurai swords, trailers and liner notes by pop-culture critic Patrick Macias. Oh, and be sure to check under the spine of the set for a cool surprise!