Rating:  Summary: Deeper and deeper we go into Kenshin's soul Review: This movie explains a LOT of questions you might have about the series. (But it doesn't explain the red hair...)
If you have seen the series, then you have seen some of the hidden torment that hides in Kenshin's heart. Despite the goofy "cheerful" animation, there IS darkness there.
Trust & Betrayal takes an innocent child and stains his hands with blood that will never be washed away. Kenshin trusted himself to follow the right path and always defend the innocent (as he himself had been defended) but in the end he learned that he had betrayed his morals and caused suffering in the lives of the true innocents: those who were left to bury the dead.
There is so much more that I could say, but I doubt anyone reading a review wants to hear my philisophical pyschobabble about a movie you possibly haven't even seen yet. Just keep in mind that this is so much more than a "boy meets girl, boy kills a lot of people, girl tricks boy, boy kills no more" story.
Rating:  Summary: A beautiful movie... Review: This movie is among the best I've ever seen. No expense is spared in the creation of Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal. The animation is crisp, smooth, and extremely detailed. The story is wonderful and well-crafted, the violence has plenty of purpose to it (and it is extremely violent- definantly not for the kids), in fact everything has purpose to it, and this is the only movie I've watched again and again just to hear the soundtrack. I picked this movie up, hoping for just a good Samurai slasher, but what I got was so much better than any slasher. It's an emotional ride, and every aspect of this film come together to deliver a killer performance. This is by far the best anime movie I've ever seen, surpassing legends like Neon Genesis Evangelion and Cowboy Bebop. Samurai X should be a part of any serious anime fans collection, because no anime experience is complete without this movie.
Rating:  Summary: Start of a Great Man Review: This Movie is simply amazing. While it may be terribly violent and does hold some pretenses, that simply adds to the drama. I will be brutally honest, the fight scenes are bloody, and extremely violent. The way I see it though, it just adds to the idea of how he is this amazing assasin, who doesn't want to be. The character development is beyond good, the music is timed ever so perfectly, and the animation is top notch. The story is beyond amazing, I've seen the entire series and even the SX:Reflection DVD before this, but after seeing all of it(and the movie) I can say that this is probably the best of it all. Personally I like the character conflict with Tomoe and Kenshin, its pretty depressing/uplifting/shocking. The Development is pretty amazing, this is probably the best thing I've ever seen. I don't know about seeing the series first, it definently doubles and even triples the effect of the movie. I don't know if you should see it first, but I certainly suggest it, the series has a lot more humor than the OVA's(which barely have any) and the sword fights get less realistic to a degree, but its worth it. Its definently worth it to last through the series before seeing this. On a 1-10 scale, I rate this movie at 100. Its simply unrateable, and is a must but must be watched at a certain time and be ready. At the end of the movie you feel like a diferent person, almost as if you were in his position. Its a little depressing, but if you think about it it also shows a lot of hope and possibilities. I think you should be prepared for an emotional trip though, it definently will yank at you a good amount.
Rating:  Summary: An excellent anime! Review: This story takes place in the 1860's, near the fall of the conservatives. The Tokugawa Shogunate has been ruling Japan for almost three-hundred years(since 1575). Kenshin Himura, the Battousai, is an assassin working for the Imperialists who want to create a new Era, one where all people are equal. While trying to acheive his goal, however, he himself finds it more and more difficult each time to continue killing. He is a person who is trying to hold on to his humanity, and at the same time continue carrying out assignments for the Imperialists. The fights in this movie are brutal. In one fight -- near the end of the movie -- Kenshin cuts a Shogunate executioner in half. This is not so much a action movie, as it is a love story. Kenshin Himura, after one of his assignments, meets a beautiful girl named Tomoe. Little does he know that this girl was the fiancee of one of the men he killed. She tries to find a way to kill Kenshin, but in the process falls in love with him. If you like movies with a combination of action, drama, or romance, then this is a movie for you.
Rating:  Summary: Must have for Kenshin fan Review: Trust & Betrayal follows the life of Kenshin, from his youth as an orphan named Shinta, to his violent life as Battousai the manslayer, and then to his life as a man seeking atonement for his plentiful sins. As an orphan, he sees the murder of the people presently caring for him, and is saved from getting killed himself by the man who will become his master. Kenshin, however, abandons his master before his training is fulfilled in order to stop a corrupt government and fight for the "good" guys. He kills without feeling, suppressing his emotions and conscience, and is the most effective assassin on either side. And then he meets Tomoe, a woman everyone mistakes for a prostitute. Unknown and unrealized to Kenshin, Tomoe is as much a pawn of the revolution as Kenshin himself is, being used by the opposition to exact revenge, as well as by his own people to ensure that he doesn't break down emotionally and become useless as a fighter. Kenshin's fiercest struggles, however, are not physical. It is too easy for this killing machine to defeat his opponent for the fight to ever be called into question. His struggles only truly begin when he finally lives a normal life, and starts to question why he thought he could only be happy using his sword to kill for justice, asking himself if justice can ever be exacted through murder? While the main premise of Kenshin is fascinating, the theme of atonement, and if good ends can ever be justified by evil means, my problem with the movie is that I don't think the relationship between Kenshin and Tomoe was developed enough to make me believe that Kenshin's existence with Tomoe was enough to begin his path to redemption and atonement. While what happens at the end clearly would be a catalyst for a change, (I won't spoil it here by telling you,) I don't think I saw the type of romantic relationship between them that would make me believe they had fallen in love. I didn't see any sparks, only two people living a daily existence in a situation they were forced into. Still, the Kenshin fan must see this DVD. It fills in the blanks as to what caused Kenshin to become the manslayer, how he got the famous X-shaped scar, and what caused him to realize he needed redemption. It also explains why Kenshin would be hesitant to ever embark upon another serious relationship- talk about get the wool pulled over your eyes and then the rug pulled out from under your feet in a matter of hours. I do think the relationship between Kaoru and Kenshin in the series is much more believable, because Kaoru is a character I could see Kenshin falling in love with, smart, strong, always trying to do the right thing, but still a woman who needs some protection. I never knew Tomoe well enough to believe that Kenshin would have fallen in love with her. Kenshin fans should appreciate this movie. The animation is slightly different, better in fact, and there is none of the sometimes over the top silliness of the series- although much of what makes Kenshin lovable in the series is his goofiness. The movie is worth getting if for no other reason than to learn about Kenshin's past. For those who don't know Kenshin, I would probably not recommend this DVD. You won't appreciate Kenshin without knowing his TV series personality, as his personality in the movie is a little flat and humorless, and quite a bit more serious. I would suggest watching the first few episodes of the Kenshin series- you can buy the English dubbed versions in sets of three episodes. I can almost guarantee you will be hooked if you do. Finally, I would recommend this DVD set over buying the movies separately. Although my DVD didn't seem to come with any of the promised extras except previews, I liked watching the two movies as one long movie with only a second-long black screen in between them. The DVD set could easily have been made as one movie to begin with, and probably would have in this country, as a one hour movie is unheard of in the U.S.. As an aside, the preview of Samurai X, Reflection, is compelling enough to watch over and over before you actually view the last movie of the OAV. In fact, my kid made me play it four times in a row. I would have given this five stars, except for the problem of the lack of development of the relationship of Kenshin and Tomoe, and the fact that I don't think non-Kenshinites will be able to relate to it.
Rating:  Summary: Think of it as two for one Review: Trust and Betrayal are both excellent OAV's but this is not are review on the content, but the disc it's self. If you already have the original two releases, then I don't think there is enough justification to buy this release. But if you are just now getting around to purchasing Trust and Betrayal then you can get them both on one DVD.
Rating:  Summary: The Bloody Past... Review: Watching the TV Series i knew Kenshin had a hard and tragic past, but after i saw this movie i couldn't believe Kenshin had endured SO much pain. It is a total must see for any Kenshin fan... It will totally break your heart into a million peices and make you wonder how Kenshin ever puts on that cute smile of his on in the series. It explains a lot about Kenshin and his life before he met Kaoru or any of the other friends he's made. How he got his scar... why he became an asassin in the first place... whatever happened to his first love? (even tho i think Kaoru is much better to and for him) I feel so bad for Kenshin, but knowing his past and how he dealt with it, makes me love him even more! If anything buy the dvd to see Kenshin as an adorable little kid and amazingly hot teenager! lol It's rated +17 for buckets o' blood and mature situations, but nothing that bad... well peace and hope i've helped in ur decision to get / not get this... ^^v >>moondragon<<
Rating:  Summary: Samurai X Directors Cut Review Review: Well, I had been wanting to see this so i finaly bought it. i was watching it and a little towards the middle i thougt was just a little boring but otherwise THIS WAS A GREAT STORY! I really enjoyed this. The artwork, the sound, the colors, it was all great! Not to menchin the story. If you are thinking of buying this just do it. its good. Rated R or 17+ For Violence and a non-graphic sex seen.
Rating:  Summary: This is incredible! Review: Whether you are a Rurouni Kenshin fan or not, you must see this. Everything about this movie is fantastic. The pacing is steady, not fast and rushed like the anime or manga. But be warned: This movie is gory. Be prepared mentally, this movie is dark, depressing, and very heavy. There is a ton of blood and violence. So if you are weak of stomach or heart, this is not the best choice for you. You will fall in love with Kenshin and Tomoe as they struggle to live with one another and come to terms with their pasts. From beginning to end this movie will have you hooked. I recommend the sound track too, the music is gorgeous. A 5/5.
Rating:  Summary: Wow Review: Wow, I didn't actually think that ADV was going to release the directors cut in the USA. Basically its the same thing as Trust and betrayal, except that the two episodes are combined into one 2 hour movie, and put into "wide screen" (Top and bottom are just cut off). There are also a few extra scenes not included in the original version. If you already own Trust and Betrayal I suppose its up to you if you want to fork out another 30 bucks to see a couple extra scenes or not (the whole "wide screen" thing is pointless since they just cut the bottom and top off). You might want to check your local video rental store first.
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