The long awaited sequel to one of the most consistent live action anime/manga adaptation comes back. With more to offer..
Well, surprisingly, the line was very long. I thought I'm lining up in a Kathniel flick. But anyhow, that didn't stop really to grab a seat and enjoy sort of reminiscing a great samurai character comes to life.
Let's go first what I did not really like about the film. There were a lot but forgivable. Perhaps. First is the changes made for film, there were many changes just to fit the story into film, such as one example. Aoshi is not part of Shishio's men. I think the big boat was not used in attacking Tokyo, more so, there is no giant dude that terrorized Tokyo. Cho's blade was only long, not flexible. And a lot things changed. It not really affect the story or pace but I hope they kinda more true to the source, at least. Another choice of actors or how they were used. Yu Aoi was underused, maybe for this film. Or am I biased because she's my crush. Actor who played Aoshi should be the Kenshin's sensei because of his big built and looks but we might get a thinner sensei. Even Yumi, the hot right hand of Shishio is kinda thin, but looks great. Some of the assasins look different than in the anime, except for that I forgot the name always smiling killer, Soujiro. Lastly, which is I thought, Emi Takei's performance as Kaoru, declined. She always like lost or indecisive and sad.
Lastly, of course, it's not the films fault.. Less violent due to Kenshin's nature and as usual, more talking first then fight. Geez.. They did the adaptation good.
Great things about the flick, first of all the fight scenes, with more than 2 hours long in this film, I can't remember or count how many fight scenes were there. I believe it has more fight scenes than the melodramatic moments in the film. It's only the number but the quality of it. Two fight scenes stand out for me, it's Aoshi versus his old Master and the short fight of Soujiro and Kenshin. The chose the latter because of it's close to a samurai fight. That's all. But like I said, there were more you can choose.
Give credit to the director that despite with the changes made, I still felt I'm watching Kenshin. It did not change the feel of watching one and the anime. The right amount of fun, and pace of story and the development of Shishio is still there. I'm not sure others felt but for me, of course it's just fine. I also did not feel watching a 2 hour more film. I just felt it when it was done and I was not able to do afterwards going around the mall.
The production set up is really great, as usual in Japanese flicks, they made like samurai time or Edo time easily set up. No trace of letting down the production value up to the costumes and of course, katanas.
Final credit goes to the actors, Takeru Sato made a great impression as kenshin and surprisingly, Tatsuya Fujiwara as Shishio. From the survivor in Battle Royale to Death Note and now as a villain, this dude can really act. Don't forget Sano, Saito who really resembles their characters. Maryjun as Yumi despite her thin/model figure, and few lines, looks great, Aoishi dude, wow and the rest of night watchers. Yoshi is still the same, Soujiro as well and the most suprisingly, Misao! After watching her, and I thought, she is more fit as Kaoru. I know there might be Emi Takei's fans but seriously, the actress who plays Misao should be Kaoru. Well, I still give Kaoru a chance, there is still one film left.
Speaking of the last film, I feel it maybe the last film in Kenshin. The last time we will see this. Reasons? The Amakusa arc is interesting but quite boring due to well, it has a lot of talking as the anime/manga shown. The only interesting part there is the villain use the same style as Kenshin. The last arc, which is shown in the anime, the magic dude arc which is a letdown. The only movies left they can do after this last one, it's either a prequel which I feel a samurai flick as shown in the OVA and my favorite due to the love story, and the supposed ending which shown in the OVA but despite melodramatic and very emotional ending, the author discredit it.
Of course, if they can make a spinoff about Seijuro Hiko's story, why not! hahaha
Everybody is excited about the last film which it will be shown on Sept.24.. I don't care waiting in a long line again. Definitely!!!!
I felt that Warner Bros Japan is doing a good job at doing adaptations recently huh.. From Berserk to this except for Black Butler. They should do more of this in other source materials or better yet well, invest more. Better yet, our cinemas should release more Japanese flicks. I'm quite biased. hehe
The Epic battle awaits.
As record speaks, a lot of comics/manga/anime/game adaptations failed to really convert to movies. I just realized that there were many failures than success in this field. However, these past years, some film makers doing their best to avoid such downfall or ruin the creditability of the source material. Recently, like Dredd 3D or Ace Attorney made good strides, not that very much faithful for each detail but at least, the context of the movie is there.
Another kind of momentum added because of this movie! Well, before the movie was shown I had glimpse of Rise of the Guardians, thanks to that reeler. =) Just around 5 mins, Rise looked good but the reeler realized it was the wrong movie, and me inside did not mind it but well, it's wrong anyway. At last.. The right film reeled in.
For this film, of course, it has some flaws. As they really adapt the source, which I hate in the original one, a lot of talking and dialogue. Himura as nature talk first then fight, unlike his past. Then yes, a lot of talking from other characters and yeah it drags some time.
Another thing, it's not really a flaw but it shows glimpses of Himura's past in a most short way that leave fans wanting for more. That's what I expect especially that scene where he killed the one who gave him the first scar. I was wanting to see Tomoe's face but alas.. Nice white kimono. Ergh.
But anyhow, this film almost got into the list of great samurai films. The only thing hindered was evident, less blood and not much gore, it's because of the nature of the material and yes, the reversed sword. Expect a lot of ouch than splat of blood. Nice action sequences especially to that actor who really ran and jump like Himura, and yes, the sword as well.
Sword fighting sequences are good. Especially the sequences which Himura fights one dude, then Samanoske (if I got the spelling right) fights another dude. Although not great but it has execution and flowing sequence. I love the scene which the boss launches his machine gun, in great detail the scene work with the help of Saito. The 3G blood effect shows not in 3G so give credit to the effects team.
The direction is good, for having the pace same as the manga/anime. Choosing the right actors and I know the reason why. Director give effort to emphasize the mood of the present Himura and the past one, as one scene is dark, then the present is light, with the right effects and direction for those scenes, it helped. The screenplay is great as development of the story goes especially how the past mattered in the story. Especially in Himura's part.
Damn, give credit to the actors, not only looking almost the same in the original source but also they did the part in a great way. Give credit to the lead actor of course, for acting with justice as Himura. Then the actress acted as Kaoru (I thought her name is Kaori. hehe), Yahiko the kid who is indeed a stubborn kid. Sanosuke, a really tall dude yet a ripped one, unlike the thin dude in the original one. Saito is Saito in this film even in small parts like his hair and sword style. I know for die hard fans, might looking for other characters you like, for me, the Master of Himura but we all pray, this will have a sequel or what I love, the prequel which I know it will be very very bloody and lovely, romantic.
Lastly, I give credit to the costume/production setting people who I think made this film more real and make the adaptation work. Like my friend Ted, every detail is captured, like one example, the look of Megumi is indeed Megumi, Saito is Saito with his few bangs. How about Himura's scar and that maroon kimono. Or bright pink in the Anime, I don't know but it looks great. Kaoru, the villains and the other characters really show who they are as supposed in the original material. The right slow action sequences and yes, the Hiten Mitsurugi Style. =)
I can't believe Warner brothers Japan invest a lot in 2 of the most beloved mangas ever created, this one and my fave Berserk. Although I'm still waiting to watch Berserk's part 2 and part 3 (I hope they will make a lot of it). This one is worth of their investment, and I won't be surprised if they will make more of this as long they take their time doing this and distribute it in the right way. Give credit to SM for exclusively showing this, see, after I watched this film, a lot is lining up outside. I don't care for the Hobbit. I did care for this one.
It's because it's a childhood fantasy anime throughout the years. =)
I hope that they'll do better in the next one or yeah they take time of this. I hope Japan will be the ones will make their own adaptation than relying to the US which they do bad. Unless it's a western material, but if it's manga or anime, please don't give it to them. hehe I'm now bracing myself to Akira, Oldboy and Ronin 47. Will it be a mess or hit? Except for Pacific Rim perhaps. If that looks good, then Del Toro should make Gundam, Madox, or even may fave Macross. hehe
For now, if they can make it for themselves like Ace Attorney, Yamato or this one, then why not others or maybe it's really unfilmable. DBZ is one I think we put in anime instead, no more attempts. Please.
