Review of 13 Assassins (2010) by Kellen V — 16 Sep 2011

13 Assassins in a samurai epic from cult director Takashi Miike (Gozu, Ichi the Killer, Visitor Q). Set in 1840 during the end of samurai era it tells the story of Matsudaira Naritsugu who notoriously rapes and kills anyone in his way.

He is the former Shogun and the current Shogun's younger brother which essentially makes him above the law. Doi Toshitsura realizes that if Matsudaira gains a higher position that Japan will become a much more ruthless place.

Doi decides to enlist the help of a group of 12 other samurai (and a wanderer) to assassinate Matsudaira for the sake of Japan. Takashi Miike is quite famous for his acts of violence in his films; 13 assassins features really only one "gruesome" moment and that is when a young women had her legs, arms, and tongue cutout besides that the film really only features your standard samurai action/bloodshed.

Nobuyasu Kita is the film's cinematographer who lenses the film rather gorgeously; Throughout we're shown lovely shots of the Japanese countryside; Numerous single take action sequences as well as a classic one on one shot at the end that harkens back to some of Akira Kurosawa's work.

The film isn't hyper stylized violence or anything over the top like Tarantino's "Kill Bill"; Through portions of the film it is just the characters shooting the breeze or discussing past memories.

Miike allows us to follow the assassins on their journey allowing us to get to know each of them their likes, fears, dreams rather than making a picture about a bunch of guys that just run around killing like madmen.

With that last part said the end of the picture (last 40 minutes or so) are quite astounding to watch unfold. It features a really long battle sequence that will quench anyones thirst who went into the picture wanting some action rather than dialogue.

In this day and age where every picture has been done to death it was nice to see someone do a "tribute" (if you want to call it that) the right way. Clearly Miike wears his influences on his sleeve but he has made a film that isn't too in your face about it and is able to stand on its own.