Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins (2012)

Powerful

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

This is a brave undertaking of the beloved series "Rurouni Kenshin" or "Samurai X".First of all, the martial arts in this movie is terrific. You can see many elements of kendo, ken-jutsu, judo, knife fighting, iaido, etc. It would be awesome to meet the fight coordinators of this movie and see what they really know.The jokes were also OK. Not too overboard, but if you watched the series, you would get it.The casting was also OK. Perhaps some characters seemed shorter than you've expected (or their hairstyles were shorter than you expected). But for the most part, most of the characters stayed true to the video series.If you have never seen the series, you can still enjoy this movie for the adventure, the historical/political situations, the action/fight scenes, and the comraderie amongst the struggles.

Rurouni Kenshin was the first manga I ever read. As an aspiring artist, I thought these books contained some of the coolest, bloodiest and most striking illustrations of samurai ever. When I could I would watch the anime on Cartoon Network, but just as I was getting into the franchise, and then the show was taken off of the Toonami block not long after. Nearly 10 years later, my interest in the franchise was rekindled when I happened upon the 2012 live action adaptation of Rurouni Kenshin. The plot for this film follows the manga and anime's first story arc, however there was a departure from the originals in the story's presentation. Certain elements were omitted (namely the Oniwabanshū) for making a tighter story for film. That being said, the film delivered on what was most important, suitably exemplifying the essence of the story and it's characters in a live-action format. From the opening sequence, the film displays dynamic and adrenaline-charged choreography. Every fight sequence throughout the film is fast moving, the action never grows stale and is kept consistently compelling. The action direction here, in my opinion, is unparalleled. While contemporary Hollywood action films more often than not come across as disarrayed, incomprehensible CGI extravaganzas, each sequence in Rurouni Kenshin relies on an almost still camera, with little to no visual effects making for captivating, wonderfully choreographed, legible action sequences that are a feast for the eyes. A film like Rurouni Kenshin may leave you contemplating the anatomy of an action sequence, how exactly it's composed, the specific method behind its effectiveness. The filmmakers and actors on this film (specifically fight choreographer Kenji Tanigaki and Takeru Satoh as Himura Kenshin) were invested in representing the demeanors of their respective characters truthfully not only through their interactions with one another, but through their way of moving and reacting in an action sequence. Violence has the additional complexity of representing Kenshin's struggle with his former life as an assassin of the government, and his longing to lead the life of a wanderer without the draining weight of the lives he's taken shrouding him. To a choreographer, also known as an Action Director, designing a fight sequence can be more than just exciting violent titillation; it can be a valuable lens of which to view our characters. Going into this film, it would be fair to anticipate it to be another hackneyed, disastrous let down live-action adaptation of a manga, and maybe it doesn't work well enough for some purists, but I'm on the other end of the spectrum. Not only is Rurouni Kenshin a solid adaptation, it's a solid film in it's own right and succeeds on many levels. It stays faithful to the source material while succeeding on its own merits as a feature film. I watched this movie for the first time on a whim sometime last summer and was absolutely delighted.

So here we have a movie studio attempting a live action version of a manga/anime that is not only popular but well written. The last time I saw one it was the unwatchable Dragonball movie. This time I was actually surprised. Not only was the casting very well done but they managed to condense the first two arcs into one very good movie story line. The overall plot was very good and the movie is highly watchable. Many of the action scenes could have come directly from the manga/anime and in fact much of the dialogue is true to the source material. I checked the spoiler box only for the following parts. First I was highly pleased with Jin-e's look (to include hat and hair) and his eyes. The wasy they did the Shin no Ippo is great. It was nice to see Saito (woulda liked to see his trademark hair but that woulda been hard to say the least) and it was really nice to see a Gatotsu. I admit when I saw that I had a nerdgasm. Kenshin's Hitten Mitsurigi style is spot on. I love the effects that make him look like he has god like speed. The last duel ends just as it should. Few things I was miffed that didn't make it in. The Sekiehoutei was never mentioned for Sano's background. Yahiko's samurai background was tossed out. The epic manga/anime fight between Kenshin and Saito never really happened. They fought but ultimately I found the fight lacking. The Oni Waban group is NO WHERE to be found. No Hikijo, no Hanya, no anyone. No Aoshi Shinomri. I understand Aoshi will be in the sequels but I was disappointed not to have him in with Kanryu. When you first meet Sano he calls himself Sanoske rather than Zanza. Most of these are minor issues that I realize had to take a backseat to story and movie. Overall this movie was well done. Yahiko is brash as Yahiko. Karou is the same. It all works. Kenshin especially. I mean they really got into the dual identites of that character in the Jin-e fight. Well done. Its not easy to take a fantastic manga/anime and turn it into a live action movie but for anyone else who tries THIS is your bar. Its been set high so don't mess it up. Can't wait for the sequels and would LOVE a western release PLEASE!

Big fan of the mango and anime, never thought that they could make Rurouni Kenshin into a live action adaption, everything has flaws but the anime was actually pretty beautiful, to the story to the characters just didn't think a live action could be possible. To me this movie breaks boundaries and sends such a strong message that if done the right and correct way with the right approach then anything is possible with anime to movie live action adaptions. Dragonball evolution took the wrong steps, the only closest thing I can agree upon is Death Note, which was also well done. But Rurouni Kenshin is full of sword combat, just never thought a live action can produce the same spirit. I can tell that the actors were really dedicated, without there hard work this would not be possible, the fact they all took it seriously and wanted to do the show and mango justice has got much respect from me.If people don't like this movie and the protroyal of Kenshin well I got news for you, this is the closet Kenshin as we are going to get. Love Sagarra,Saito and even Yaihiko. Even how Karou says kenshin greatly reminds me of the anime which is a good thing. What really shocked me was how well they were able to stick to the story even how Kenshin got his scar, I am heavily impressed. In the anime, the show can be light-hearted and very dark and serious from time to time, the movie did seem mostly dark with the story it has it kinda has to be, but when the few lighthearted moments came it was refreshing. For the first time it made me think of how Kenshin scrificed so much for a peaceful era him doing that made lots of samaurai who only way of life became shattered and because of that they turned to the only thing they knew. How could Kenshin foresaw that. Anyway a 10 out of 10 movie kinda hard to have complaints of what should of been in the movie and what shouldn't of considering how great the movie is..Very curious if they could continue to push the boundaries, by its lively real-life tone I know some villains like Isurugi will not make the cut with the one ability cutting arches of trees with wind, would not mind at all if they just went ahead straight to shisho personally. But I am curious to know what they have plans for my favorite character Shinomori Aoshi, since he should of been in this one so if he isn't I am assuming he has a much bigger role. But personally in my own opinion the one person I do want to see in one of the movies is no other then Yukishiro Enishi, He has a bigger involvement that will forever tie him to Kenshin.