Review of 13 Assassins (2010) by Jeff D — 06 Jan 2012

Takashi Miike's samurai period piece set in the 17-1800's is a masterful work depicting 13 men stuck in their old world ways battling against a potentially tyrannic leader who is as vicious in the political ring as he is in his personal life, and his massed army as he travels back to his own territory with a devious plan to recreate the 'age of war'.

Unlike what the description of this film says, it is not just an action film; it also works as a drama as the head of the samurai troupe is conflicted with their way of life and how their cause is dying under the expanding society of Japan.

At about the half way mark, the film kicks into a high-action gear that also manages to retain the dramatic element that made the first half feel like a well thought out drama. As the battle to complete their mission takes off and the blood and swords start flying, we're able to see another interesting element that I personally haven't seen in any movie for a long while, which binds itself to the drama element; the samurai act as though they are comrades-in-arms, able to put honor and the lives of their brotherhood before their own interests.

Ringing back to the samurai films of the past (most specifically on-par with 7 Samurai) and as action packed as Takashi's own Dead or Alive, 13 Assassins not only pleases the action fans and the drama fans, but also brings the sense that nothing is impossible, and there's always hope.

I give this film a 5/5 for it's superb story, it's visual accomplishments, characters, and the climactic battle scene. If you love samurai flicks, drama flicks, or even action flicks, you should give 13 Assassins a watch.