Rurouni Kenshin (2012) (English)

A sword master who has decided to never kill again, arrives in a new town where a rich man produces opium and does as he pleases. But the sword master has other plans.

Rurouni Kenshin is based on a popular manga series, which was turned into a anime series. I have seen the anime series and everything that came after the 95 episodes. The film focuses on the rich man and the first part of the anime series, and not Shishio, which is the best part with the entire series.

One notices quickly that the film is a costly production. Visually, the film looks visually stunning, it felt like I were back in time, which is important. The action choreography is good, as is the score which is sore and dramatic. The film is also surprisingly a little brutal, but blood created by CGI never works.

If you’ve seen the anime series, you will quickly notice that the film does not follow the series to the letter. There are major changes here, something to be expected, for there is a limit to how much you can put into a feature film that has a runtime of approximately 130 minutes. The most disappointing part is that the strongest villains do not get enough screen time, and that they lack personality.

Sadly there are many actors who do not fit the role they play in this film. I’m a big fan of Yû Aoi, but she is not the Megumi I know. Yû Aoi is too innocent and sweet, even with the world strangest eyebrows. What happened to her eyebrows? Takeru Sato as Kenshin Himura and Emi Takei playing Kaoru Kamiya, fits the roles they play. They manage to bring out what their characters are all about, even if the script does not give them much help.

Rurouni Kenshin is one of the better films I’ve seen that is based on a manga and anime series. But for one who has knowledge of the characters and the story, the film never give the characters the depth they deserve to have.

7/10

The post Rurouni Kenshin (2012) (English) appeared first on Captain Charismas Filmblogg.

Sjekk også:

1. Rurouni Kenshin (2012)
2. Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (2014)
3. Fullmetal Alchemist: Season 4 (2004) (English)
4. Monsterz (2014) (English)
5. Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal (1999)
6. Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection (2001)
7. Fullmetal Alchemist: Season 1 (2003) (English)
8. Rurouni Kenshin: New Kyoto Arc (2011)