Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins

2012 "The Journey Begins."
7.4| 2h14m| PG-13| en
Details

In 1868, after the Bakumatsu war ends, the ex-assassin Kenshin Himura traverses Japan with an inverted sword, to defend the needy without killing.

Director

Producted By

Warner Bros. Pictures

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Reviews

Acensbart Excellent but underrated film
Dorathen Better Late Then Never
Crwthod A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.
AshUnow This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.
dylcojiro Rurouni Kenshin was the first manga I ever read. As an aspiring artist, I thought these books contained some of the coolest, bloodiest and most striking illustrations of samurai ever. When I could I would watch the anime on Cartoon Network, but just as I was getting into the franchise, and then the show was taken off of the Toonami block not long after. Nearly 10 years later, my interest in the franchise was rekindled when I happened upon the 2012 live action adaptation of Rurouni Kenshin. The plot for this film follows the manga and anime's first story arc, however there was a departure from the originals in the story's presentation. Certain elements were omitted (namely the Oniwabanshū) for making a tighter story for film. That being said, the film delivered on what was most important, suitably exemplifying the essence of the story and it's characters in a live-action format. From the opening sequence, the film displays dynamic and adrenaline-charged choreography. Every fight sequence throughout the film is fast moving, the action never grows stale and is kept consistently compelling. The action direction here, in my opinion, is unparalleled. While contemporary Hollywood action films more often than not come across as disarrayed, incomprehensible CGI extravaganzas, each sequence in Rurouni Kenshin relies on an almost still camera, with little to no visual effects making for captivating, wonderfully choreographed, legible action sequences that are a feast for the eyes. A film like Rurouni Kenshin may leave you contemplating the anatomy of an action sequence, how exactly it's composed, the specific method behind its effectiveness. The filmmakers and actors on this film (specifically fight choreographer Kenji Tanigaki and Takeru Satoh as Himura Kenshin) were invested in representing the demeanors of their respective characters truthfully not only through their interactions with one another, but through their way of moving and reacting in an action sequence. Violence has the additional complexity of representing Kenshin's struggle with his former life as an assassin of the government, and his longing to lead the life of a wanderer without the draining weight of the lives he's taken shrouding him. To a choreographer, also known as an Action Director, designing a fight sequence can be more than just exciting violent titillation; it can be a valuable lens of which to view our characters. Going into this film, it would be fair to anticipate it to be another hackneyed, disastrous let down live-action adaptation of a manga, and maybe it doesn't work well enough for some purists, but I'm on the other end of the spectrum. Not only is Rurouni Kenshin a solid adaptation, it's a solid film in it's own right and succeeds on many levels. It stays faithful to the source material while succeeding on its own merits as a feature film. I watched this movie for the first time on a whim sometime last summer and was absolutely delighted.
Otaku_Critic Rurouni Kenshin Trilogy is the best anime based live action movie ever! All three of it are the best. I didn't really appreciated the anime series when I was a kid but then I grew up and I saw the first movie. I was like, "Wow, even live action movies based on an anime is possible!" Because of this movie, I'm now interested to watch the anime series.The story was great, the characters were also great, even the setting. This is the movie that made samurai battles more realistic. As anime fan, I also like this movie from start to finish. The sequels were also great and I might review those in the future.In conclusion, Rurouni Kenshin is a must watch especially to Samurai X fans and other anime fans out there.
Vitor Franceschini Putting it shortly, this film tells the story of the two first Manga chapters ( I suppose), but condensed to fit in properly lengthwise.I read most of the Manga as a child and loved the anime (which I discovered a bit later), and I can therefore guarantee that if you like Rurouni Kenshin you'll at least find this film not bad, or interesting, etc...The problems in my point of view can be summarised in the awful special effects whenever people are flying and stuff like that and in the excessive avoidance of graphical explicit gore (BLOOOOOOD).Some may claim the plot adjustments are also a down-point, while I think it was obviously necessary and that they've done it in a very clever way; expect to experience nostalgia boners and "dejavus" from the anime or manga
A_Different_Drummer What is the origin of a "hero" in modern film? The character Zorro, penned well over a century ago, is often credited, by film historians, as being the prototype superhero, in that he had a secret identity, great skill. and fought evil while wearing a disguise. Note however that Zorro was a mere mortal with great skill but lacked super powers or mutant blood. An important point. This writer has more than once said the greatest hero in American fiction is a character named Bob Lee Swagger. Swagger appeared in a series of novels by Stephen Hunter, some merely good, some simply staggering in their ability to weave a good tale. (Hunter had a love/hate relationship with his own character and in different novels, tried alternatively to kill him; age him to the point of uselessness; and. finally, replace him with his own son. Hollywood took one shot at bringing Bob Lee to the screen - in a film suitably named Shooter -- and botched it. The actor they cast did not resemble the fictional character at all, and the movie, while well received, had none of the flair of the hardcover novel). Which brings us to Rurouni Kenshin. In Japan, one could argue, this is their prototype hero. An ordinary man with a great skill -- the sword -- who used his skills as a killing machine in battle; and, the moment the war ended, swore he would never kill again. (But he does tend to get into fights. He carries a "reverse blade" sword, great for whacking an opponent, but not for cutting.) This is a VERY popular series in Japan, based on a manga, turned into a TV series, two live action films, and, for all I know, maybe a breakfast cereal. This is the more recent of the two live action films and, while true to the story, lacks even a pretence of charisma which, ironically, is that what one would expect from such a work. My advice to the Japanese -- the next try -- and there will be one -- find an adaptation that makes the character as interesting as he was originally drawn. Sometimes just repeating the original creates an echo -- and nothing more.