Review of 13 Assassins (2010) by Sergio R — 05 Jul 2012

"13 Assassins" starts with Mimaya, a high government official, committing seppuku in protest of the brutal ways of Lord Naritsugu(Goro Inagaki), the Shogun's brother, in 1844. To prove his point, Naritsugu disobeys orders not to use Mimaya's family as target practice. For Sir Doi(Mikijiro Mira), that is the final straw, as he also fears what Naritsugu is capable of once he is appointed to the Shogun's council. So, he turns to Shinzaemon(Koji Yakusho) to put together a group of samurai to assassinate him. However, Hanbei(Masachika Ichimura), Naritsugu's chief samurai, strikes first...

"13 Assassins" is the kind of samurai movie they just don't make anymore.(By the way, do they even still make samurai movies these days?) There is little reliance on special effects and nobody does a 360 in midair, just raw human combat in spectacular fashion, especially in the movie's extended climactic set piece. While some purists might complain about the explosions, they also have to admit they have not had it this good in such a very long time. In fact, the only things keeping the movie away from greatness are the lingering sadism and the awkward beginning, both establishing what is to come and why it has to happen in this battle that is not only physical but also one of wills in a debate as to whether to do one's duty or to do what is right. Come to think of it, Naritsugu might be a sign of things to come for Japan as he reminds me of the thinking of some of the leaders who disastrously led Japan into World War II.