If you have seen Versus or Alive, you'll know what you're getting into by watching this movie. A 2 hour, non-stop bloodbath. It's what Tarantino wanted (and got!). However, it doesn't mean this is a perfect movie. Little noticeable glitches that hold it back from being rememberable.
I was amused by the story. Nothing too simple, nothing too terribly difficult. Pretty straight forward plot. (Read the synopsis on the main page). It was enough to keep me entertained and, in these kind of movies, if the plot doesn't hold up, the action will keep you in you're seats.
This movie was full of hordes of baddies, charging at Azumi and her counterparts, while she kills as many as one can count. It is said that Hard Boiled carries the award for most on-screen deaths. Nope. That award goes to this title. Many people die, so if you're planning to show this to your significant other, think for a minute. It is a very graphic movie, if so more than Kill Bill. Very much like the classic samurai movies you remember. Blood spray, dismemberments, and plenty of slices. The battles were choreographed quite well considering the size of them. But, was the lead actress up for them?
The actress who plays Azumi, Aya Ueto, who is also very beautiful, seemed kinda out of place. I do not, however, know anything about her past history. I can guess that she is new to this genre... The costume on her seemed out of place (bright purple?) but I understand what Kitamura was getting at. Don't expect Mifune. Not a good comparasion, I know, but just don't expect it :). Others do quite well, and fit with the tone of the movie, especially Bijomaru (the white robed one). He made this movie even more for me.
Azumi, based, apparently, on a manga is just what you expect from an adaption. Expect cooky characters, like the dog impersonator, and Bijomaru. Also expect that over-the-top violence. A very manga-esque movie. Kitamura, so far from the two movies I've seen (Versus), he doesn't fail to entertain. He does his job and I'm very grateful.
If you can get you're hands on this movie, see it by all means. It's hard for Americans to see this unless you want a bad bootleg or shell out $60 to import. If anyone can find this cheaper than that, please, IM it to me. See this movie if you have the chance, it fulfills it's job.
B-
I was amused by the story. Nothing too simple, nothing too terribly difficult. Pretty straight forward plot. (Read the synopsis on the main page). It was enough to keep me entertained and, in these kind of movies, if the plot doesn't hold up, the action will keep you in you're seats.
This movie was full of hordes of baddies, charging at Azumi and her counterparts, while she kills as many as one can count. It is said that Hard Boiled carries the award for most on-screen deaths. Nope. That award goes to this title. Many people die, so if you're planning to show this to your significant other, think for a minute. It is a very graphic movie, if so more than Kill Bill. Very much like the classic samurai movies you remember. Blood spray, dismemberments, and plenty of slices. The battles were choreographed quite well considering the size of them. But, was the lead actress up for them?
The actress who plays Azumi, Aya Ueto, who is also very beautiful, seemed kinda out of place. I do not, however, know anything about her past history. I can guess that she is new to this genre... The costume on her seemed out of place (bright purple?) but I understand what Kitamura was getting at. Don't expect Mifune. Not a good comparasion, I know, but just don't expect it :). Others do quite well, and fit with the tone of the movie, especially Bijomaru (the white robed one). He made this movie even more for me.
Azumi, based, apparently, on a manga is just what you expect from an adaption. Expect cooky characters, like the dog impersonator, and Bijomaru. Also expect that over-the-top violence. A very manga-esque movie. Kitamura, so far from the two movies I've seen (Versus), he doesn't fail to entertain. He does his job and I'm very grateful.
If you can get you're hands on this movie, see it by all means. It's hard for Americans to see this unless you want a bad bootleg or shell out $60 to import. If anyone can find this cheaper than that, please, IM it to me. See this movie if you have the chance, it fulfills it's job.
B-