I am a little bothered with the amount of rape depicted in the story telling, but that aside, everything else here feels like a more refined take on what the first two films aim for. Its a lot more of the same, but with a higher production value, trading out some of the campiness for something (relatively) more grounded. If that makes for a better or worse experience, it depends on your taste as a viewer obviously. But theres no denying that the attention to detail, use of cinematography, and overall techniques in directing have been leveled up here.
The visuals are especially more beautiful and engaging this time around, with brilliant compositions that capture the beauty of the japanese jungles and countryside. They arent afraid to let the natural greens of the environment act as center stage for the story. And it makes a world of difference. The film gives you plenty of moments to rest and take in the view before the juxtaposition of absurdly stylized violence slashes in. (Which, the blood is still as splashy as ever, but looks much less like bright red barn paint in this installment.)
In many ways the story is more of the same as before, 'an exceptionally strong man, with a demonic level of sword skills, solves his problems with violence, steered by a code of honor, (a demon's honor, on the path to hell, as he claims it). He is an assassin, forever hunted by other assassins, navigating a quiet but unmistakable compassion for others in grief. And as always, is finding time to bond with his infant son. And lets not forget the trusty baby cart, which is just as much a prominent character, decked out in every way with hidden weaponary.
Seeing these things repeated for the third time might not be as charming or clever as it was during the first, or as amusing and flashy as it was in the second, but, instead, the third offering leans into an experience that's more sophisticated and technically refined. This time around, the film is willing to breathe in the scenery and reflect on larger subtexts before assaulting you with its bloody deaths, sexual violence, and its quick and clever choreography.
It wont be everyones favorite in the series, as the slightly more serious tone does lose some of the charm brought in with the strikingly low budget and campiness of the first two movies, but if you wanted to see the epic story continue and recieve a buff to its production value: this one is a winner!
The visuals are especially more beautiful and engaging this time around, with brilliant compositions that capture the beauty of the japanese jungles and countryside. They arent afraid to let the natural greens of the environment act as center stage for the story. And it makes a world of difference. The film gives you plenty of moments to rest and take in the view before the juxtaposition of absurdly stylized violence slashes in. (Which, the blood is still as splashy as ever, but looks much less like bright red barn paint in this installment.)
In many ways the story is more of the same as before, 'an exceptionally strong man, with a demonic level of sword skills, solves his problems with violence, steered by a code of honor, (a demon's honor, on the path to hell, as he claims it). He is an assassin, forever hunted by other assassins, navigating a quiet but unmistakable compassion for others in grief. And as always, is finding time to bond with his infant son. And lets not forget the trusty baby cart, which is just as much a prominent character, decked out in every way with hidden weaponary.
Seeing these things repeated for the third time might not be as charming or clever as it was during the first, or as amusing and flashy as it was in the second, but, instead, the third offering leans into an experience that's more sophisticated and technically refined. This time around, the film is willing to breathe in the scenery and reflect on larger subtexts before assaulting you with its bloody deaths, sexual violence, and its quick and clever choreography.
It wont be everyones favorite in the series, as the slightly more serious tone does lose some of the charm brought in with the strikingly low budget and campiness of the first two movies, but if you wanted to see the epic story continue and recieve a buff to its production value: this one is a winner!