MOVIE REVIEW:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you grew up watching Animax, you'd probably be familiar with Samurai X. A story of a handsome ex-assassin who decides to head on over a new leaf and change for the better. He has this push and pull relationship with a head strong girl and yeah, you know, the typical Japanese anime love story / drama / action rolled into one ... Like sushi.
This movie is basically the whole anime series in installments, they're making this movie franchise a worldwide sensation. Don't expect a Marvel movie but you can, however, expect a lot of sword fights and Japanese acting. What is Japanese acting, you ask? It's that kind of acting where the actors think they're anime. They pretend they're not blinking and theyre movements are calculated; limited, just like animated characters. So yeah, it's not Hollywood-made but it's a great movie.
I actually regretted not researching about the movie before watching. I usually don't watch movies if I haven't seen the first installment, but it was too late. I was at the ticket booth when I saw the title: Rurouni Kenshin 2. LOL. The cast was able to portray the characters just as I remember them. So, yeah. You can say I felt the right emotions for the characters. I laughed at the right places and I loved the unique quirkiness of each one.
The movie was based and made in Japan. The characters and language of release was in Japanese. So if you can't understand Nihonggo, you have to be the type of movie-goer that loves reading subtitles.
Should you watch the movie or not? Despite my 4-star rating. It's not an assurance that you would like the movie as much as I did. Samurai X and I had a little history so I guess you can say it has this thin string attached to my childhood memories. But if there's a soft spot for Japanese culture in your heart; action scenes with sword fights; pretty girls in kimonos (the most intimate thing in this movie is a goodbye hug, don't expect anything more); interesting storyline about samurai assassins, etc. this movie would be interesting enough for you. So, yeah, please make time to watch it. The sword fights are amazing.
It also touches the topic on murder as an addiction. Himura (Kenshin) is a recovering assassin you can correlate this idea with addiction. His new life is based on living on a new era of peace (recovery) and to live-by this new life, he wields this back bladed sword (imagine the sharp end facing the weilder of the sword). Which basically means that every cut he makes is dull and cannot really slice the opponient. Death is not imminent. Despite his new cause of not killing anyone, he was able to take part in the fight against Shishio (antagonist, ex samurai). Which boils down to the idea and concept that when you believe in something (with the help of friends and loved ones) you are able to overcome the temptations of reverting back to old habits. A lot of morals can be learned in the film. Watch it. It will exceed expectations.
Which reminds me. Does anyone know of a sword mastery school in CDO?
