Director: Keishi Ohtomo
Cast: Takeru Sato, Emi Takei, Tatsuya Fujiwara, Yosuke Eguchi, Yusuke Iseya, Munetaka Aoki.
Certificate: 15
Running Time: 138 minutes.
Synopsis: Kenshin Himura (Sato) is called back into the employ of the government in order to take down a vengeful assassin set on taking down the current status quo.
RUROUNI KENSHIN: KYOTO INFERNO is the second instalment in the Rurouni Kenshin trilogy, which has already seen its third part released in Japan. Keishi Ohtomo continues his fantastic work started in the first film of the series, and cements his place in the world of cinema, having previously dabbled mostly with television. Rurouni Kenshin has, like most things from Japanese culture, had its own manga and anime as well as novels, video games and more. This latest (for UK audiences at least) release became huge in its native Japan, shattering the box office to become the biggest live-action Japanese film of the year.
Takeru Sato plays Kenshin Himura. A one time assassin and soldier who has since decided to never kill again and only help those in need with the use of his blunted sword. Despite its lack of sharpness, it still packs a punch. Having decided to live a peaceful life at a dojo, Kenshin is soon called upon by the government to take down Makoto Shishio, a horribly burned assassin who was betrayed by the government he once helped get into power. Makoto is played by the always fantastic Tatsuya Fujiwara, best known for his roles in BATTLE ROYALE and DEATH NOTE. The lead protagonist and antagonist make sure to make their characters accessible, as well as complimenting each other well. Kenshin is zen like in his calmness, while Makoto’s burned flesh visualises the fire burning within.
Manga/anime adaptations should always be approached with some skepticism, as there is much that often fails to translate over to live-action cinema. There’s always a lot of dialogue in anime, which can sometimes extend fight sequences beyond believability, and they can often become mawkish in their excessive need to explain every little last detail, including what characters are thinking and why they are doing certain things. The plots are also usually strung out for a long period of time and need to be condensed. Fortunately ROROUNI KENSHIN: KYOTO INFERNO doesn’t suffer from such drawbacks and is actually the perfect mix between manga cartoonishness and serious swordplay akin to the pulpier films of the Zatoichi/Babycart era.
This is no easy task for any film, as comedic characters still hold their over the top reactionary personalities and the fight scenes remain inventive and frantic, while the drama and aesthetic keep a little more grounded than one might expect. As the set pieces increase in their majesty and scope, the effects hold up splendidly, especially the fire which is usually where CG falls down. Even those who have yet to catch the previous instalment will be emotionally invested by a group of individuals who all have their moment to shine.
Exquisitely shot and full of humour, action, and drama, RUROUNI KENSHIN: KYOTO INFERNO is a spectacularly enjoyable film which merges old and new alike, with its only drawback being a single part to a two parter with no real satisfactory jumping off point. Cliffhangers are all very well and good, but there needs to be at least some resolution. If you like your sword fights choreographed with a sense of danger, and a little political intrigue thrown in to make it relevant to today’s unrest, then make sure you check out this great slice of entertainment.
[usr=4]RUROUNI KENSHIN: KYOTO INFERNO is released on 28th November.
