Japanese Cinema won’t be recognized globally without samurai flicks or chanbara as casually called. The typical story of men and women engaged in the way of samurai. It shows a lot common types of stories such as a wandering swordsman helps someone or a village, swordsman in the middle of political struggle, or simply a swordsman on his way to retirement but called upon to serve one last time. How about a swordsman who is destined to die but yet, want to do one last meaningful job.. There are a lot of stories you can really think of.
While watching this movie, like at the towards of the middle, I thought, what if a story about a simple but great swordsman who becomes a madman because of technique. Sure, most of the villains in other films of this genre are like that, but I think few or none of those films showing the lead character becoming like an anti hero of sorts.
After almost 2 hours of action and dramatic climax, I got what I wanted. This is it! That's why the title itself named like this. I mean, a sword is like other deadly weapon made by man. What if that person, succumbs to that weapon? I mean especially in those old times that a weapon is sometimes the only mean to survive, especially in Feudal Japan. Warring states, clans or even gangs are not really a good and healthy environment to live to.
Anyway, there are 2 minor flaws that I hoped it happened in this film. Of course, it has many plot holes left behind but that's forgivable, and for me forgettable. The first minor flaw was I hoped, Ryunosuke (the main character) fought Toranosuke, the samurai who killed Ryunosuke's squad in front of him. It's the only time of the film that despite Ryunosuke flawless technique was really scary and great, shown fear to an opponent. I hope they fought and maybe the film might end at that scene if happened.
Another flaw that I wanted to see, was the revenge of the younger brother. The first scene involves Ryunosuke was commanded to literally lose a match against his rival just to preserve the clan, but Ryunosuke saw that the opponent will kill him using a banned technique. Ryunosuke killed the opponent and it's one of the reasons how this story went. That opponent has a younger brother practiced hard to get vengeance but unfortunately, it did not reach that point.
Three simple yet great factors I love this film making it a samurai classic to me. I was shocked it left a mark to me, with such a tour de force samurai film.
First factor was the actors played in the film, all the actors played just right even Toranosuke who only appeared like 5 minutes really impressed me. Of course, the actor played Ryunosuke played splendid. I mean, his transformation from being sociopath, pride samurai into a madman really driven this film into a classic. Then don't forget of course the other actors/characters, even the girl who played the grand daughter of the monk, then had a surprised twist at the end. Superb cast indeed.
Another factor was the director and the screenplay worked hard together to make this film, surprise classic. I mean despite a long screen time, it really doesn't felt that way as every scene is important. The last 20-30 minutes seems gave me really the excitement and chills as the climax of the film. It was that good that I watch it many times only that part. Wow, those final minutes almost tops even the other samurai flicks made recently. The dialogue although not really complicated but simple yet meaningful. Less dialogue about honor or pride, they used simple dialogue to make the story meaningful and developing especially when approaching at the end.
Lastly, the action scenes. Wow, as a samurai flick fan I mean, that style of Ryonusuke is clever but deadly. Actually he did not use it at the first parts of the film but at the end of this one, I mean it literally that style kept him going. Despite that abrupt ending, I did not care. What I enjoyed that last part was how he was able to show that his sword and style really succumb into evil. I mean why suddenly kill your comrades right? And yes, when he started to hear those voices who he killed, it just drove him mad. I liked the sword fights and that last minutes of this film, crazy, outrageous, great!
That was really a great ending. I can guess, at the end of course, he should be dead. Or if not, he will face that younger brother of the one he killed before. Or he'll commit sepukku due to the unending guilt or rage.. It's an open ending. I was shocked that it ended that way, I tried to rewind or search in the web if that was it.
Yes, that was it. I can't believe it!
Well, I used to be curious in most films.. Way back high school, when we have still cable TV, I just surf the movie channels and some international channels and you can't help going over some indian channels. There are 2 most number international channels in Cable because these 2 nationalites has the most populous, namely chinese and indian. Well, I can stand watching chinese films, especially their 80's-90's cinema, but indian, I just wonder how can I stay long watching a film full of belly dancing, eering singing and a lot of those at the end. Can't blame their culture and the people of it. I'm not against indians, I mean it's just I don't really get it. Most of their films or worse, TV shows are just that. Tried and tested for a long time.. Besides, their bollywood industry alone, has a market value of millions of dollars despite at that look. Geez, well, give credit to those almost 1 billion followers. Not only in india but the neighbor countries as well.
That changed in this one film, I mean I read almost all the film sites or blogs, raving or kinda like this film. Indeed, not the usual indian flick. Although there are still the songs and dancing but not the actors themselves.. It's not perfect but it's great film. Great action packed bloody film.
There are some flaws that I said. One is kinda weird, it's damn long. US release of this flick is staggering 3 hours long. Well, sad to say, that's short. The real release, is damn almost 5 hours long! Split into two parts. The cinephiles won't mind that long running time. But for average or even casual movie goer, I don't think they won't stand that time frame. I'm not sure with the US release if they do release as one film, I don't know how the editing will go. But for me, watch it, the long cut. I'll explain below..
Another flaw, the production set is not really changing. Well, I do understand that this film shot in a fast pace that they had to shoot in secret.. I hope they kinda at least change the scenery or look the background in the old times. Due to the story's scope, places change or even you can say it's a damned place, at least there should be a decent set in a certain time. That really shows in the first part of the film, all the shots it's like in the dessert. I hope it's better than that. Or don't tell me, that's the truth? That's sad.
Enough of the flaws.. First strength is despite it's really 5 hours long and kinda robbed my weekend rest.. Well, it did not bore me. The pace really made the viewer going like one scene is killing then next one is talking then another long scene of violence then stops, normal scene.. The up and down pace helped the film engaged to the viewer. If the film first hour is more of talking, then I'll just sleep perhaps. But that's not the case, great job of the narration which really helps to understand the flow of the story. Without it, it will be damn hard to follow. Give credit to the staff and the director of course.
The strength of it's cast also help in the film. Great surprise that they casted mostly not famous actors, and they shot it in a frentic pace which you can see as you watching the film. That's not easy to do, especially with the violent nature of the film. I love the main cast, a couple of beautiful lads, and my favorite character in the film, Definite. Weird name, but in the end, he's the only one you'll definitely remember. I'm thinking of Faizal as my fave but he's kinda unlucky. Ramandhir, indeed acts as a main villain. Lucky one is J.P. Most unlucky, the two fathers, Sadhar and Shadhir if I'm not mistaken. Poor dads. But the whole cast done their parts, from the uncles, to the henchmen and even the kids.
Another strength, the simple but long story of revenge. This is the reason why they done it long. I mean they could go for the Godfather route of splitting the films into 3, but they done at this rate, well it's a gamble. If this film not a hit and they only shown part one, which it has like one of the harrowing endings shown in film, viewers will be dissappointed if no part two due to poor sales. That's what I thought why they went to 2 flicks, show it at the same year or I don't know how they done it. Then part 2, it's not a let down and great thing, they finished it great. The climax is indeed there and pace went fast. It's like watching Godfather in a most minimal budget you can think of, and with a simple story. Two families out killing each other.
With this film, I have an idea how India not only looks like in some of the simple cities but gangs work. Geez, they are more scary than ours perhaps. Scary shit.. Those are the kind of families you don't want to mess with.
Lastly, the selling point of the film, violent action scenes. First one was kinda action packed although some of it funny but damn, profanity, cursing and guns in one scene, that's it! Then, despite not really using modern guns, mostly second hand guns, scenes were realistic, with stabbing, beheading, and shooting spree. Geez, it's kinda scary to go there. Alone.. I was smiling at the election scene, they do that in broad daylight? Wow, I don't want to vote if that's the case.. It's hell! Both endings of the two films are kinda harrowing, but the first one, I felt I cheered for Sadhir to get revenge, I even thought he'll live. But that's not the case. The second one, indeed it's crazy as hell and abrupts to close. Great timing.
Ah yes, expect those songs again but it's their OST anyway but you'll be shocked at some songs with profane lyrics. I don't if that's the right sub but if that it is, then the tagline of this film is correct..
Not your usual indian cinema. Oh, I wonder if it shown here, will the indians watch this?
