Kate

Kate is another entry in the line of feminist action flicks where the ends justify the means. Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who I usually like, isn’t exactly bringing the sex appeal here, but she’s definitely tearing through a stylish, chaotic ride. It starts off with the energy of a Robert Rodriguez film but eventually settles into classic B-movie territory. Still, the Japanese gangster vibe gives it just enough flair to make it worth a watch, landing it a solid three stars from me. (09/13/2021)

Japan is a land of contrasts, a place where ancient traditions coexist with the bustling energy of modern life. On one hand, there's the Japan of old, with its samurais, the Bushido code, and a shadowy underworld of the mafia. On the other, there's the vibrant, neon-lit Japan of today, brimming with anime and absorbing Western influences like a sponge. It's a cultural collision that can leave even the most seasoned traveler feeling like they've stumbled upon a sushi roll with a bit of everything thrown in. In this film, it feels like the director and screenwriter were among those foreigners, trying to cram every Japanese trope they'd ever heard of into one movie – and it didn't quite hit the mark. With borrowed elements from various action flicks such as Nikita, it struggled to find its own identity, leaving me skeptical from the get-go. Despite its shortcomings, I found myself oddly drawn to the film's often creative approach to violence. For maximum enjoyment, I recommend turning off your logic switch and embracing the chaos. / Lesson learned: Avoid touching anyone or anything affected by radiation! 3*- (05/04/2024)

The neon lights of Tokyo, Wick style action and the excellent Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who looks just like a young Ripley. The screenplay is nothing original, but quite entertaining. Netflix wants their own movie with an action girl, so they should have it. So what if countless similar movies have been released recently? Thanks to the Japanese culture and their opinion of the Gai-Jin in general, Kate is really watchable. Great music. Thumbs up from me. (09/10/2021)

Decent craftsmanship. It doesn't have the improvisation and disjointed rhythm of the best in the genre (The Raid, John Wick, Atomic Blonde), but there are a few solidly filmed set-pieces for the discerning action connoisseur. Thumbs up for having the most impressive action scene directed by a 70 year old grandpa with a samurai sword. The story is about nothing, but the neon lights and the unique atmosphere of Tokyo at night with the help of decent production design and cinematography does its job. Winstead is really good. (09/21/2021)

I must admit from the start: I was expecting much worse. Kate turned out to be a quite enjoyable, adrenaline-packed Netflix movie with an interesting setting (the neon-lit streets of Tokyo) and cast. Mary Elizabeth Winstead delivered a solid performance; I believed in her as the female assassin throughout, so in this regard, it gets a big thumbs up from me. On the other hand, I can’t understand casting Woody Harrelson in such a minor role where he can’t fully showcase his talent—this feels like a criminal waste. The action is bloody (severed fingers, decapitated heads, etc.), and it also doesn’t skimp on interesting ideas, with fight scenes that are decently choreographed. Sure, the screenplay isn’t groundbreaking, but compared to similar recent genre entries (Old Guard, Jolt), this one had quite a bit of punch! So I can comfortably stand by my 6.5/10 rating :D P.S. But Charlize Theron with her Atomic Blonde is on a whole different level. (09/14/2021)