[Movie Review] Rurouni Kenshin

Title: Rurouni Kenshin

Story by: Nobuhiro Watsuki

Directed by: Keishi Ohtomo

Country: Japan

Language: Japanese with subtitles

Release Date: December 5, 2012 (Philippines)

Starring:

   Takero Sato as Himura Kenshin

   Emi Takei as Kaoru Kamiya

   Yu Aoi as Megumi Takani

   Munetaka Aoki as Sanosuke Sagara

Synopsis from Wikipedia

Rurouni Kenshin takes place during the early Meiji era in Japan, telling the story of a wanderer named Himura Kenshin, formerly known as the assassin "Hitokiri Battōsai". After participating in the Bakumatsu war, Kenshin wanders the countryside of Japan offering protection and aid to those in need as atonement for the murders he once committed as an assassin. When arriving in Tokyo in the 11th year of Meiji (1878), he meets a young woman named Kamiya Kaoru, who is in the middle of a fight with a murderer - who claims to be the Hitokiri Battōsai - tarnishing the name of the swordsmanship school that she teaches. Kenshin decides to help her and defeats the fake Battōsai. After discovering that Kenshin is the real Battōsai, Kaoru offers him a place to stay at her dojo noting that he is peace-loving and not cold-hearted, as his reputation implies. Kenshin accepts and begins to establish lifelong relationships with many people such as Sagara Sanosuke, a former Sekihō Army member; Myōjin Yahiko, an orphan from a samurai family; and a doctor named Takani Megumi. However, he also deals with his fair share of enemies, new and old, including the former leader from the Oniwabanshū, Shinomori Aoshi and his rival from the Bakumatsu Saitō Hajime.

I'll go straight to the point. THIS MOVIE, ladies and gentlemen, is the proper way of adapting a manga or an anime. The action scenes were outstanding. The plot stayed faithful with the original storyline. The dialogues were well executed and delivered. And most of all, the casting... the casting were SPOT-ON! Every character! All of them delivered their roles close to perfection. I have no complaints at all.

Takero Sato (Himura Kenshin), I have no doubt for this guy. The minutes I saw him on the trailer, I knew that he's a perfect Kenshin Himura. I love the calm expression on his face during the fight scenes and dramatic moments in the film.

The hair, his attire.. his expression.. the X mark on his cheek.. perfection. AND!! The way he stand and the way he pose (you know, the samurai pose..holding his sword and stuff). Kudos for hard work! Anyway, I dunno if it's his double or he himself, doing all the flipping, jumping and running thing.. but who ever it is... he did very well. Exactly like Kenshin. Love it!

The other characters were amazing as well. I thought Kamiya Kaoru, looks underrated and plain. But, I was wrong, she's beautiful. I love her innocent but determined face. The one playing as Takani Megumi is so pretty. She reminds me of Park Bom of 2ne1. Haha! I like watching her. Sanosuke, on the other hand, kinda need to build his body more. Sano is a big guy. The guy playing him, must add more muscles and stuff. ahaha! but, he's great! :) The villains were also, the best. Jine Udo in the film was awesome. I think, he's better than the anime Jine Udo. bwahaha!

And, the OST of this movie is also, one of the reasons why this movie is freakin' awesome. :) The official theme song is  ONE OK ROCK 「The Beginning」『るろうに剣心』『RUROUNI KENSHIN』 

 

Also, I just have to mention, Takero Sato (Himura Kenshin) reminds me so much of my ichiban, Kamenashi Kazuya. Haha! on some angles.

(left-right. Takero Sato & Kamenashi Kazuya)

okay... or maybe not?? Hahaha!

I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS to EVERYONE! :))

My rating: