RUROUNI KENSHIN: KYOTO INFERNO

Original title: Rurôni Kenshin: Kyoto Taika-hen

Directed by:  Keishi Ohtomo. 
Starring:  Takeru Satoh, Tatsuya Fujiwara, Emi Takei, Yusuke Iseya, Munetaka Aoki, Yu Aoi, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Tao Tsuchiya, Min Tanaka
Running time: 139 minutes

The two part sequel of the long awaited live action adaptation from Rurouni Kenshin meets the expectation, at least from the cartoon and manga fans. Based on a best-selling manga by Nobuhiro Watsuki in the 1990s, the first film is a box office smash hit.

Just like any movie adapted from another medium I believe this one is independent from the animation/manga version. Takeru Sato takes the role as Himura Kenshin, an ex killer who become a pacifist hero. But his challenges are getting harder.

Home minister Toshimichi Okubo (Kazufumi Miyazawa) asks Kenshin to go to Kyoto and stop Shishio Makoto (Tatsuya Fujiwara), the ex-assassin who hated the new government since he is betrayed. Kenshin's jon is very risky, he might resort back to killing. Will he return to his old self?

With running time almost two and a half hours, this sequel can be chaotic and confusing for those who haven't seen the first film or who is not familiar with the animation/manga at all. Some might even lost to the historical and cultural background of swordsman in 19th century Japan.

In terms of story, it is not as good as the first one, although it does not mean that it is bad. For action fans, the action is amazing and breath taking but still holds more action for the last part, The Legend Ends, released just one month after this one.  

I think the story can be better by putting more motive's for Shihio's and his men. I mean, for an epic villain, how come he can gather so much capital and henchmen to his purposes without any hint of unifying ideology, let alone money? Some hyperbolic cartoon character is also here, which makes this one somehow felt like made just for true fans, not for average moviegoers.

But for most viewers it doesn't matter, at least they can relish the fact that their favorite cartoon series is now an epic movie.