Remember the old days when villains would tie damsels in distress to the railroad tracks? Those guys always tied the women to the tracks lengthwise. The lethal ladies of 13 Steps of Maki: The Young Aristocrats tie women to the railroad tracks right down the middle of the tracks, SPREAD EAGLE no less! Now that’s what I call cinematic innovation!
Also, instead of some bland dude in a white hat saving the day, it’s a bad ass Kung Fu chick with a “13” on her T-shirt named Maki (Etsuko Shihomi from Sister Street Fighter). When she kicks ass, look out! She even does a Three Stooges-inspired eye poke that blinds her opponent. Brilliant!
Maki is the leader of the tough all-girl gang, The Wildcats. When a rich bitch insults them, they get back at her by forcibly giving her a tattoo. She then retaliates by having them sent to jail. When an unscrupulous gangster has his men cripple her boyfriend, she reluctantly turns to Maki for help.
Part Juvenile Delinquent movie, part Women in Prison picture, part Kung Fu flick, 13 Steps of Maki: The Young Aristocrats has a little something for everybody. Because of the constant genre hopping, the pacing does become a bit herky-jerky at times, even if the running time is a relatively scant seventy-eight minutes. There’s also maybe too many side characters and subplots. However, it’s hard to complain, especially when Shihomi’s Sister Streetfighter co-star Sonny Chiba shows up late in the game for an extended cameo.
The fun fight sequences take place at a strip club (on stage no less!), in a drained swimming pool, in prison, in the snow, and at a wedding! In addition to women being tied to railroad tracks, there’s also a great scene where they are tied nude to a merry go-round. The gore is solid too as eyeballs, ears, and teeth are knocked out during the brutal fights. All in all, it’s a real winner.
AKA: Young Nobility: Maki’s 13 Steps.
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