So recently I finally got the chance to watch the live action Rurouni Kenshin film, so bear with me as this will be my first time reviewing a live action film. I did grow up watching the series and loved the first two seasons. I never really watched much past that, as it got a bit boring come season three, but the original series, as well as the Samurai X OAV, were both fantastic.
I'd like to start by saying the casting in this movie is amazing. Everyone looks and acts the part, and even when things about a character are changed, such as 'The Spell of the Oniwaban', the still keep the spirit of the character intact. This is about as faithful of an adaptation you are going to get. That said, you don't need to have seen the original or read the Magna to follow along, it works entirely on its own.
Our lead character, Kenshin, use to be known as Batosai the Manslayer, and ruthless assassin that helped usher in the new age of Japan. However, after the war was over, he vowed never to kill again. Currently, he uses a 'Reverse Blade Katana', where the dull end of the sword and the sharp end are reversed. He does this so he can fight without killing.
Kenshin gets wrapped up in the current happenings of a local drug ring selling a new kind of Opium, as well as a man claiming to be the legendary Manslayer acting as an enforcer for this drug ring. The one big issue I do have in this movie is that, when all is said and done, the fake Manslayer and the Drug ring stories are largely disconnected. The Manslayer never comes up when Kenshin is dealing with the drug ring, and just kind of shows up again at the end once that business is all taken care of. It's like two separate stories being told in one movie, and it does suffer for it.
Aside from that though, most characters are instantly likable, and while the story stays focused on the main plot of the drug ring and Kenshin being reluctant to fight it is fascinating to watch. There are moments the story advances because the characters are being a bit silly, such as just agreeing to let this mysterious woman who refuses to speak of her past stay at their dojo, or times the show is a bit too on the nose with one character saying out loud that the Reverse Blade sword means that Kenshin's own weapon will be used against him when there really wasn't a need to point that out to the audience (I really don't like when a movie insists on explaining it's symbolism out loud like that as if the audience won't get it otherwise), but these moments are few and far between.
Much like the anime, it really is the internal conflict of Kenshin that drives this plot and his desire to hold on to his vow to never kill again, and even his desire to not fight at all. Despite the climax of the film being the fake manslayer, who was again largely disconnected from the rest, you really do get a fulfilling end to that aspect of the story there. You see Kenshin face to face with what is basically his past self, in the situation that pushes him to the brink of reverting back to the manslayer once again.
And it must be said that the fights in this movie are fantastic. The Flashbacks to the war show off the very violent nature of Kenshin during those times, and while his skill is still incredible the fights Kenshin gets into in the present come across as far less violent by contrast. It's great how well the film handles the shifting tones of the fights, all culminating to the finale. I was really shocked at how well the film did this given the generally bad rap of live action anime adaptations.
One thing to say is I actually think you'll like this movie more not having seen the original series. The problems with the disconnected plot come down to the fact this movie basically sums up the entire first season. Characters with their own arcs, such as the Oniwaban Group, are relegated to bit parts, and the two disconnected plotlines are basically plots all on their own in the anime. Going in not knowing any of that though, you come out with a largely complete film.
Fan of the show or not, this movie is worth checking out if you like those old Samurai stories. The action is grand and fun, the themes and atmosphere are powerful, and with a couple of exceptions the cast is just fantastic. Definitely give it a watch.