After that operation and almost 2
weeks of not going out. I've decided to set my return into this world by well,
watching a flick. Great thing that this film still running because the sequel
is so successful, everybody is anticipating this last film of the trilogy.
The film is quite long, more than 2
hours and first part was a bit, let's say the downer of the trilogy. Slow, more
drama and talking, training of Kenshin to learn the ultimate
technique although it's a mystery but it kinda dreary. I almost fell
asleep at those hour. Add to Kaoru's sublime acting, things almost went worse.
Great thing, that ended at the second
half when everyone seems pumped up fighting the army of Shishio. Then, it
became bloody, fast pace action and most of all, simple ending. Geez.. Nothing
more or less.
Good points of the film, first of
all, as being consistent in the trilogy, the look of the film is almost the
same in the anime. From how Shishio looks, some of
the Juppon gatana characters looks the same in the anime, and the feel
of the Meiji period of course. The looks of main characters and even the swords
almost they got it. Second factor is the action sequences, which not really the
best but way better than the first film. The second film has the best action
scenes. The reason for this below notch grade of this final film is due to the
first part of the film. If they only reduced the drama and dialogue and slow
pace, then add some important action scenes then it has the best action scenes
in the trilogy.
One example of kinda a let
down action scene is Saito versus the Blind dude. I mean in the anime or
manga, that's one of a fight but in the film, just a few seconds. That's bad..
How about the monk versus Sano, the first parts were good but how the fight
finished? It's a repeat of what Sano did. Geez.. I hope they improved on those
parts.
But definitely the fight
of Kenshin versus the fast kid was great and final fight
between Kenshin and Shishio was great plus bloody. I like
that. It also shown how realistic or how possible is that we call the
"very long name" technique. I almost forgot the great fight
between Aoishi and Kenshin. Sorry.
Last good point, it's weird but it
helped this film. Remember Matrix Revolutions which shown around next 6 months
after Reloaded. I rushed to watch the film and despite it looks good, it's a
downer and the hated movie of the Matrix trilogy. If that film shown just a
month or two after Reloaded, it will not be that bad. You see, the
gap of the two films helped to appreciate the last part. That strategy helped
this film. I mean, if you show this film 6 months to 1 year later, then that's
the only thing you'll get, then it's a bad film. Maybe the anticipation help
ease the well, the downside of this film. It's not really one of the worst I
watched, I mean I'll watch this again than
watching Lupin 3rd live
action film again. It's just despite they kinda rush this one, well,
they did some good at it.. But not the best. Great thing, it happened soon.
First failling point,
besides that very slow first part.. It justified this factor, miscast
actors/actress. Not Kenshin, Sano or even the right hand of Shishio.
His Juppon gatana, has a lot of miscast, well they had a problem of
casting a giant perhaps. Then there is a girl in that group which it did not
even show some action or fight scene. One big miscast
is Kenshin's sensei. I mean the dude can act as you see him in
Galileo (jdrama) and Like Father, Like Son (touching film), but it's just he
doesn't have the look of Seijuro. I mean I said before, I'll put the actor
of Aoishi to become Seijiro because of the built and has a
bit of the look. Of course, Emi Takei as Kaoru. She failed in this film and
more so, I don't know, I'll still go with Tao Tsuchiya as Misao. Kaoru's
role in the film, although of course she's a bit lost but with expression and
action. Emi did was lost of expression and none action. It's just did not work
here. I hope after the first film, they changed her. hehe Bad me..
Second point that it quite failed..
Well, some action scenes were either unnecessary or something lacking. I mean
the fight of Kenshin and Sensei is quite repeatitive. Then of
course the misses I discussed earlier. Geez, if that's the case great thing,
this is only a trilogy. They rushed some of the scenes or action scenes and cut
some scenes as well.
Third failling point, I've
noticed that some changes they did for this film did not help. The changes they
made in the second film helped and made sense. This film, it did not.. One
example is the last fight was at that big boat. I mean I hope they made that
final fight in a temple or a big yard, or how about a field with bamboo shoots
or wide plain, like other good samurai flicks. It looked cramped and the
background is not that helpful. Maybe they are in a tight schedule while making
this film. But great thing, the fight is fantastic. Aoishi not part
of Shishio's gang did not help as I like that part of the story
unchanged.
Juppon gatana's group
changed. Sensei should have fought or helped defending the village did not show
which I am quite disappointed. A scene that how Sensei helped Kenshin, it
was so short, and can't believe they cut a lot of it. It's a bloody scene as
you see.. The boat thing helped at the second film, in this one, it did not
help. I mean, I hoped at the second film, burn Kyoto, bring the boat with the
army and the third film, almost all fighting until they end up in a temple.
That's better, it changed a bit the original plot but made sense. This one..
Almost not made sense.
Last one, the simple ending. I mean I
hope it's longer or nostalgic or even cuter.. But sorry, you don't get so much
that of a simple ending. Geez, it's not even romantic. Oh I forgot, but not the
film's fault, more talk than action flick like the anime/manga does. Very
consistent. I hope they changed that tone.
Despite those negative points, I
liked the film, better fit in the trilogy. My two hours not wasted and had fun
because of the positive factors of the film.
Well, while I'm digging some flicks,
I found Azumi! Hmmmmm and it has a sequel as
well Azumi 2! The second part is more action than drama which it did
not help. But why I brought up this one? Hmmm Those 2 films I had
fun watching and I can say, Kenshin only advantage over those films
is popularity because Kenshin is a very popular anime/manga, a
childhood hero and yeah everybody loved it.
If Kenshin is not a popular
anime/manga and you don't know how they look really.. I'll
choose Azumi coz it's bloody fun samurai flicks with a very beautiful
heroine.
Good thing, the Legend Ends swiftly.
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