It has come to this... The FINALE that resolves everything and determines the outcome of an epic battle between two legendary swordsmen with the fate of Japan hanging in the balance. If there was a satisfactory conclusion needed to wrap up a story arc, Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends delivered on that and fulfilled its promise to be an epic finish to a two-part tale that saw lots of epic battles and an emotional journey come full circle for a man who has vowed never to kill again and fight for the sake of peace.
After a successful debut and premiere of "Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno" last month (see review here) which also saw members of the cast and director visit Philippine shores, Warner Bros. Philippines once again brings Kenshin Mania to theaters with "Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends", and the hype and anticipation to see the climactic battle between Himura Kenshin and Makoto Shishio has never been more intense. Getting to see the premiere last week, I was all for the big showdown and climactic finish to the live action adaptation of the infamous "Kyoto Arc", and what we got in the big screen is pretty much a decent serving of all things that could wrap up a story nicely.
I got to see an advanced screening of the film last September 18, and while the movie was simply as awesome as a fan could have it, here's another thing that made my day... Seeing the Rurouni Kenshin Philippines cosplay crew gracing the premiere and posing with style.
So without further ado, here's my review for the currently playing "Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends", with special thanks going out to WB Philippines!
Naturally, SPOILER WARNING, so READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Completing a storyline that's packed with a lot of action, intensity, and emotion is not an easy task when the stakes are high and everything hinges on a battle that decides the fate of 19th Century Japan, but Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends does an exceptional job of making that conclusion an epic swan song that leaves viewers with a level of catharsis - especially for those who have been longtime fans of the franchise that have put their trust on the live-action film series and have had their faith justified righteously upon seeing the end result.
Picking up right where Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno left off, The Legend Ends begins with Kenshin Himura reuniting with his long lost master, Hiko Seijuro, who proceeds to help train his former prodigy on learning a new technique that will help him in his impending battle with his nemesis and successor, Shishio Makoto. Determined to take Japan by force, Shisho mounts his attack focus on the shores of Tokyo, with the current Meiji Era Government all but helpless to stop his assault on the capital. With nowhere else to turn, the heads of the government seek Kenshin's aide in putting a stop to Shishio and his Juppongatana. Unfortunately, this final mission for the former slasher who has vowed never to kill again proves to be his most challenging, as he is faced with securing the safety of his friends, quenching hungry rivals, and ultimately resolving a clash between two different ideologies with the fate of Japan hanging in the balance.
In all honesty, you have to be a longtime fan and dedicated Rurouni Kenshin enthusiast to truly appreciate the depth and scale director Keishi Otomo has brought to the big screen with the second and final film of a two-part sequel to the 2012 live action film. Takeru Satoh once again brings his A game as Kenshin to the forefront, and his battles in the sequel are equally more beautiful and intense than the past two films have presented. He's definitely the man best suited to the role of a character that has forever influenced and inspired a generation of fans and admirers of the manga and anime, and you'll definitely get a kick out of what this conclusion to the "Kyoto Arc" has to offer.
Tatsuya Fujiwara returns as the malevolent Shishio Makoto - a man who believes in survival in the fittest and that "the strong will survive, while the weak will die". His portrayal of Kenshin's successor and nemesis is just something that will definitely stand the test of time as a great transition from the pages of the source material to the big screen. Shishio is a force to be reckoned with, and not just a man who does things out of pure evil or gain. He believes what he is doing is for the "greater good", and it contrasts perfectly with Kenshin's own pacifist ideals for the stage of history to be decided between one final battle between the greatest legends of the Tokugawa Era.
Of course, my favorite moments for the movie barring the excellent fight scenes involve my favorite character from the series - Sanosuke Sagara. Played by the funny and excellent Munetaka Aoki, I truly believe he's the crowd-favorite and show stealer for being a hard-headed and stubborn fighter who's a true friend to Kenshin. While Sano doesn't get an upgrade to his fighting skill arsenal in comparison to the manga/ anime, his humor and unorthodox presence more than make up for that and is easily what makes me happy that the Rurouni Kenshin franchise came to the big screen.
Besides Kenshin, Sano, and the rest of the Kenshin-Gumi, we're also introduced to Hiko Seijuro - Kenshin's master who is not named in this movie but is well known to fans of the franchise. Played by Masaharu Fukuyama, you get to see the man who taught Kenshin all the tricks of the trade, as well as learning a new vital skill and philosophy that the former legendary Battousai takes to his fight against Shishio. Through the first half of the movie well until the second act, you will get to know this man and how he influences Kenshin's resolve and character, and it's a vital part of the film that I'm glad they adapted.
The practical effects and swordplay have always been one of the highlights I have praised about the live action Kenshin films, and I wasn't disappointed one bit with those battle scenes scattered throughout the entire movie. However, I do have to point out that since the movie runs at nearly three hours, there's only so much exposition and attention you can cram into a live action adaptation of Nobuhiro Watsuki's samurai epic. Less emphasis is given to the rest of the henchmen of Shishio like Anji and Usoi, and the fights for Sanosuke and Saito feel like quick appetizers rather than something memorable to behold. The brunt of the action lies solely with Kenshin's duels with Aoshi Shinomori, Sojiro Seta, and Shishio. T The final battle in particular goes to a four-way street involving the four main players/ heroes against the main baddie himself, and seeing that alone is worth the price of admission this movie generously allows its audience to bear witness to.
So overall, if you've come to see Rurouni Kenshin for fantastic samurai action, drama, and swordplay... You've come to the right place. This is best viewed back-to-back or at least after you've seen the previous film Kyoto Inferno, as a better understanding of the storyline and what the stakes are will come to play with what Keishi Otomo has given audiences with his third and final film to the most epic storyline in the series. I do hope there is room for more Kenshin movies in the future, especially with the "Tomoe" and "Enishi" arcs still not adapted for live-action. Definitely, if you love RK and all things "Samurai X", then The Legend Ends is a fantastic finish to the legend of Kenshin Himura's legacy as Battousai The Slasher.
Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends is now playing in cinemas in the RP!
Rating - 5/5
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