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Samurai X - Betrayal (Rurouni Kenshin)

Samurai X - Betrayal (Rurouni Kenshin)

List Price: $29.98
Your Price: $26.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: a true masterpiece
Review: whether your a fan of anime or not i think this movie will really touch all those who have a heart. you expeirince the true depth of kenshins life and understand how he feels. the music and animation are beyond amazement so watch this!! you won't be sorry.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: a must see for any anime fan!!!!
Review: you haven't seen anime till you see this. it is the most wonderfu masterpeice i have ever experienced, i loved it!! it really lets you know the reality of kenshins past it was very deep i reccomend this to any one with a heart. (though you should get the sub-titled version it's much better then dubbed)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Made Me Cry
Review: I highly reccomend this movie. I watched it 5 times during these last 2 days and i cried every time i watched it.It made me feel sorry for Kenshin and think about him in the future.In this movie,the only time he seemed happy was with Tomoe but all the other scenes,he always seemed sad.That's what made me cry too.But now that I see him in the future,he seems happy all the time with Kauro,Yahiko,Megumi,and Sanoske and that's a good thing.It was true though,I think that he did get weaker as a wanderer.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Perfect execution
Review: The story of Kenshen and his love for Tomoe is executed perfectly and ends the only way it could. From the pensive lives they lead as farmers to the past finally catching up to both of them, the story leaves you feeling wrung out emotionally. I almost wish this approach had been taken with the television series, but it certainly meshes well. I bought this immediately after seeing it...

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Like the sadest episode ever
Review: Amazing! This episode is a continuation of the last two about Tomoe and Kenshin. They are posing as husband and wife to throw off the enemy. Only thing is they really do fall in love. Tomoe leaves Kenshin though to save his life. What will happen to Tomoe, and what will Kenshin do when he finds her gone?

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Disappointed
Review: This "movie", if you want to call it that, is so cr**py. Why? Well the plot sucked. Out of all the opponents that Kenshin faced in the tv series, this one is just plain stupid. He's so dense and caught up w/ the past that he couldn't see the hurt in the eyes of the one he loves until it was too late. The only thing that keeps this "movie" from being tragic is the comic of the Kenshin group.

Oh yeah, DO NOT watch the english dub(done by same voice actors as OAVs), and if you hate reading subtitles, you might as well skip this "movie" altogether.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Sacrifice
Review: A beautiful, tragic end to the first love of Kenshin's life, and the end of a period that follows him throughout his life. Tomoe's sacrifice, after Kenshin had killed her beloved, and become a new force of love in her life, touched me in a way other parts of Kenshin did not. Here we see how Tomoe is responsible for the Himura Kenshin we meet in the regular series, something even the most hard hearted should be thankful to her for.
A fitting end to a sad period, that branches into the new.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: These reviews are confusing
Review: These reviews refer to the OAV series Betrayal and Trust, which I own and agree that they are great. however if you are looking at Samurai X the Motion Picture in VHS format I suggest you look at the DVD version since it has the correct reviews on the film, I have not bought this film yet but I noticed this mix up and thought to help alleviate confusion.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Cross-Shaped Wound
Review: This DVD contains the last two episodes of the Samurai X OVA, completing the prequel to the long running and justifiably popular Rurouni Kenshin series. These are set in the period leading up to the overthrow of the Shogunate and are a historical drama that tells the tale of one of the periods most deadly assassins, and a hero of the Meijin restoration. What happened in this story created the myth of a wandering samurai who fought for the people, and refused to use his sword to kill.

The first episode here, "The Previous Night at the Mountain Home" is a complete contrast to the episodes of the previous DVD. It picks up the threads of the relationship between Kenshin Himura and Tomoe as they live in exile. Exquisitely slowly, Tomoe finds herself growing deeply in love with the man who killed her fiancé. And Kenshin, emotionally distant as an assassin finds that rural life with Tomoe is teaching him the lessons about the value of life that his sword master was never able to explain to him.

The final episode, "The Cross-Shaped Wound," brings this phase of Kenshin's life to its inevitable conclusion. When an assassin struggles with the meaning of his life, tragedy must ensue. Kenshin faces a last attempt on his life hampered by his doubts. Sworn to protect Tomoe, she protects him instead, completing the second cut of his scar, and starting the painful healing process.

Delicate film values mark these episodes, which repeatedly echo the illustrations of Japan's contemporary artists, while the formal dialog evokes classical Noh drama. All of this is carefully balances by scenes of extreme violence. Strangely evocative of Kurosawa's style. After going through the episodes multiple times, I have become convinced that this is one of those rare cases where the dubbing comes closer to the essence of the Japanese than do the subtitles. This is quite a victory for Lowell Bartholomee, since writers of English language scripts for anime are not noted for successes.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: good for what it is, But the original story was So much more
Review: I am one of those people that have seen much anime out there. I tend too import my anime rather then wait for a commercial release of it. The Kenshin OVA, the prior title too Samurai X before ADV laid thier misbegotten hands on the liscense, was one of those titles. A story of Brutal moments and tradgedy. Natural flowing dialouge telling a compelling story about kenshin's fall from grace, It was A story of tremendous depth, impact, and sadness. With few jokes, buckets of bloodshed, And A complex story about justice, redemption, vengence, and heartache. It made me an instant fan of himura kenshin.

Im sorry too say that the domestic release has suffered greatly in the trip too our shores. ADV has seen fit too change much of the story. I can see your average anime fan, weened on pokemon and sailor moon scratching thier head at this. But those of us that remember anime greats like macross, cowboy bebop, And the original gundam series, respect Anime's tendency too give us some of the deepest and stirring tales ever put too paper, and animating them with far more emotional impact then live action could ever stir. ADV failed too grasp this. Tomoe has been changed from a weak, torn woman. Too a lovesick vamp. Enishi, Who was A Frighteningly Angry 12 year old boy in the original story, is arrogant and annoying. Seito hajime, a Great swordsman, Is the leader of the shinsengumi in ADV's version. In the original tale he is leader of the THIRD squad, his superior is a 15 year old swordsman. This and more make me Very angry because I loved the first Rouruni Kenshin OVA so dearly. It became one of my favorite DVD's. This is a mockery of a Great tale. Dumbed down for ignorant masses. For all those that liked this tale, I implore you too find a way to view the original japansese telling, or watch this with a friend that speaks japanese.

Im happy too report that ADV mercifully did not edit any of the violence or terrific musical score. The animation is lovely, whether it is showing a countryside at sunset, a sentimental flashback, or a grusome battle with blood flowing with ever slash of the sword. The music is equally as Evocative. Its a shame that ADV had too rob Anime viewers of such a robust and complex tale. This is the beginning of Himura Kenshin's Quest for Atonement. One that continues throughout the TV series, And Concludes with the forthcoming Seisouhen OVA... where the final fate of kenshin is revealed. It is a long and epic tale, that began with the First Kenshin OVA. It was animated After the TV series became popular in japan... As a sort of Episode one That SO did not suck. Until ADV tampered with it.

Kenshin Fans that have seen this DVD without ADV monkeying with it all agree that ADV made a grusome mistake in what they did. This series is so beloved by its fans, and rightly so. It deserved so much better. In ADV's Defense, I will Say that "Samurai X, Trust and Betrayal" Beats pokemon, sailor moon, gundam wing, and most other anime out there all hollow. But The Original Kenshin OVA, was simply the best. Period. Find some way too experiance it, and Im sure you will agree.


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