Rurouni Kenshin: Part II - Kyoto Inferno [DVD]

It was a very good movie. If you like Japanese period dramas, I recommend watching it.

Contains Blu-ray and DVD versions but does not come with slipcover as pictured

This is the start of a 3-film series about a Samurai who, during the Meiji Restoration, acted in secret as an assassin. And then quit when the Meiji defeated the Shogun. I saw the "Original Japanese" version, which is in Japanese with burned-in (not selectable/deselectable) English subtitles.About 10 years later, he reappears as a "rorouni", who (apparently) travels about helping common folk solve problems with his "reverse sword" (it has the sharp edge on the opposite side to what is normal, so, when he fights normally, he stuns but does not cut his opponents).The first film had him going up against a high-level drug dealer, who he defeated.The story continues with the discovery that his successor as secret assassin is plotting to destroy the Meiji government and take over the country. It should be noted that Samurai in general may be feeling a bit oppressed, as carrying a sword is now against the law, and what is a Samurai without a sword?At any rate, the plot develops and the fighting continues. Well, up to the end, when our hero makes a choice.Recommended to those who like this genre.

Not as good as they hype it up to be

It's is not like the picture, it came without the slipcover...

The movie arrived very fast and in great condition.

I am an old-time RuroKen fan, and I was thrilled when the live-action films turned out so well. They are all excellent adaptations, even if they don't precisely follow the manga, and the acting is fantastic.I've seen this film, the Kyoto Inferno, in three different releases - the first was a DVD boot (all that was available at the time), the next was a Warner Brothers UK blu-ray release (steelbook), and the third was this Funi release. Out of the three, I think the Funi looks the best, but the subs are, to my mind, the pits. For some reason, the sub writers tried to suggest unsophisticated lingo in Misao's speech, which makes the subs read ridiculously. (The region 1 releases of the anime never did this.) The subs are like this for Chou too, as he is supposed to have an Osakan accent. There was no good reason to go overboard and suggest this in the subs. Again, purely irritating.I wish Funi had simply done straightforward, sensible, mature subs for this and the other live-action Kenshin films. The visual quality is terrific, and I'm glad I bought these movies just to have the Funi releases and support Kenshin fandom. But when I go to watch these movies again, I always watch my Warner Brothers UK releases, whose subs are mature and whose visuals also look great. (If those releases interest you, they are sometimes available here at Amazon (US). I bought them via Amazon.uk. They are all region blu rays and legit Warner Home Video releases.)

(no spoilers) I'm reviewing each movie individually so some things I cut and pasted...Great stuff! Like the first movie, excellent samurai sword action reminiscent of the old Zatoichi and Lone Wolf & Cub.Note, this movie is a 2 -parter, so you have to get the 3rd movie in order complete the story. This is not a problem! I only mention it because the 1st movie stands on it's own.Same as the first movie, no nudity that I remember but there is a high dead count and bodies everywhere, so I'd give this a strong pg-13, if not a R. I didn't find this movie to be especially gory, which for me was a good thing. The disc has the option to select the original Japanese language and English subtitles so we're good there. I cannot abide with English dubbing so I can't comment on it, if that is your preference.Now, particually for this 2nd movie, I dropped a star because it added another group of folks along with a disgruntled double-sword guy who wasn't explained very well, and it just kind of bogged down the movie bit. Hey, more sword action!!! Yay, but it hurts the plot advancement. Not having watched the anime or read the manga, I can only assume the Onri group or whatever they are called was a nod to the fans.enjoy!

This is a well done story and artwork.