Tak Sakaguchi has long been a martial arts force to reckon with on the big screen. Now he has taken a seat behind the camera for his first directorial piece, Sakigake!! Otokojuku (Be A Man! Samurai School). As an actor, Sakaguchi is perhaps best known for his roles in the cult classics “Versus” and “Death Trance,” both of which are non-stop action buffets. As a director, he has kept the may elements of over-the-top martial arts movies but coupled it nicely with a healthy dose of comedy and social commentary in his directorial debut. Based on an Akira Miyashita manga serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1985-1991, BAM!SS stars veteran actors Akaji Maro and Shun Sugata. If you like action, humor, blood, and lots of shouting, then “Be A Man! Samurai School” is definitely for you!

**SPOILERS AHEAD**

The film opens with the first day of enrollment at a local school that teaches wimpy males how to be men. The new students are confronted by the aggressive second-year students and tyrannical teachers who all dish out ridiculous requests and grueling training exercises onto the fresh recruits. A slew of typical Japanese stock characters display of over-the-top skills and strength, like cutting stone with a sword that is struck through the air several feet away (think: InuYasha’s Wind Scar). Comparisons to the martial arts spoof movie “Kung Fu Hussle” wouldn’t be out of place, but BAM!SS still resonates with it’s own tone of traditionalism and social pressures.

If the new students fall short of the tasks or lose in a fight, they are subjected to impossible ancient samurai training punishments to help “man them up.” While serving their torturous sentences, the young students display superhuman resilience, like lifting a 500kg stone for several days and enduring a boiling oil bath. Obviously this is all tongue-in-cheek but it is done with such an endearing style that you can’t help but be charmed and laugh at the outlandishness.

The school’s principal, a man who’s voice is so powerful it evokes paranormal activity all around him with every sentence, is confronted by an old expelled student who is determined to take over the academy. After the sensei denounces the usurper for fighting on school grounds, both men assemble teams of their best fighters for an “amazing triple-death battle.” The school’s team leader is first-year student head Momotaro Tsurugi (Sakaguchi). He has a mysterious history that has granted him not only amazing fighting skills from before entering the academy, but also great wisdom and compassion which he imparts upon his peers during each stage of the battle.

After more feats of impossible strength and courage, the students work together as a team to encourage Momotaro in the final round of the fight. Comic placement of blood mixed with stylish fighting and great acting, BAM!SS finishes strong without taking itself too seriously.

Fans of action, comedy, or fighting movies will all find something to love about Be A Man! Samurai School. Tak Sakaguchi has proven to be a formidable opponent not just in front of the camera, but from behind it as well! Now go, Be A Man! Enroll today in Samurai School!

When I lived in Texas, I was fortunate enough to see this film on the big screen at the 2008 Dallas Asian Film Festival. Tak Sakaguchi was there in person and even did a fighting demonstration live right there in the auditorium, with one of his choreographers. That was exhilarating to see right in front of my eyes, but I wish I had paid closer attention. I wasn’t familiar with Sakaguchi back then, so I had no idea just how special that was. BAM!SS has appeared at several Asian film festivals across the country as has Sakaguchi himself. If you get a chance to see this with an audience on the big screen, do yourself a favor and don’t miss out!

Watch the trailer here: