Rating: 
Summary: Action Packed and Touching
Review: For a while I wanted to see the Trust and Betrayal DVDs, but didn't really want to spend the money for both of them. When I saw that you could get both on one DVD for the price of one, I didn't hesitate to buy. After watching it, I agree to a few of the things said by other reviewers.
*This DVD is full of action and blood, yet also touching. It has the best of both worlds. Love and violence. Who could ask for more?
*The sudden computer graphics stuck in the middle of animated scenes was very distracting and at times annoying. Luckily, this does not happen too often, so was not enough to ruin the movie.
*As for the dubbing, the change in the characters' voices was not so strange. If you can accept the fact that this DVD takes place before the TV show, Rurouni Kenshin, then it shouldn't bother you. It's normal for someone's voice to change as they get older, so why not Kenshin's?
Rating: 
Summary: Great Anime, Lousy DVD
Review: Let me first say that on a purley Anime basis, I would give this DVD 5 stars! Unfortunately, for some reason the creators of this DvD have made it impossible to play on my Computer's DVD player. It will work fine with my regular DVD player, just not with the PC's, which is really annoying. In case you're wondering, my PC will play other anime DVDs just fine, so I have to think it is just this particular anime company. Okay, that said, I think this story of Kenshin's beginnings is really cool and awesome. Perhaps one of the most artistic sword fight scenes I have ever seen in anime is in this story line. Plus, the music is great and matches the moods shown in the story and even enhances them. These two factors alone would justify buying this DVD. Then add the extra scenes at the end and the fact that all the OVA episodes are on one disc and you are in anime heaven. Now having sung this DVD's praises and drawbacks, I should warn you that if you already own the earlier version of this Kenshin OAVs, then I do not think it is worth spending $$ for this version alone. My recommendation, spend the $$ on another anime or other DVD. Cheers.
Rating:
Summary: Hard adjustment to the style--but a must-see for the story
Review: This is an abrupt departure from the series, and was my first encounter with the OVA's, so it was hard for me to adjust to the style. You have to see it for the backstory (which the series never got a chance to cover before it was cancelled), which is superb. But I had to rate it down for a few reasons: --They don't use the same english voice cast...and the new cast is COMPLETELY passionless. Maybe it plays better in japanese, where I think at least some cast is the same as the series (but I'm sorry, I can never get used to hearing Kenshin with a woman's voice). --They cut some corners with computer animation (everyone remember how bad the last episode of the series looked?)...it's a pity, because lots of it has a beautiful theatrical quality, but when they throw in some of the computer stuff, it's glaringly obvious and distracting. --I never saw the original releases of TRUST and BETRAYAL, with the separate episodes, but when edited altogether like this, the combination of the passionless voice acting and the subtle story make it a little too long and dull to really enjoy. The beginning with the graphic (but wonderful) bloodshed, and the ending tragedy are the great movers of the movie. If you are a fan of the series (particularly the dubbed version), I'd rent this before buying. You have to see it for the story, but that way you can decide if the OVA style is for you.
Rating: 
Summary: Clear thoughts on a cool night
Review: I had watched the rourouni kenshin series on television but I was a bit unprepared for this. The tv show is bright cheery, the color scheme always give the feel of a bright sun shiny day. This however was veryyy different. It's raw, dark, kenshin is as serious as serious gets, cold, on the verge of being a machine even. You see him for a moment in his youth which reminds you of the bright cheery Kenshin from the series but it's not long before you see those glimmering eyes frozen by the spilling of blood. I must be honest this is a pretty bloody film. The dialogue is precise cool unemotional, yet at the same time somehow builds up a ongoing tension of emotion. I don't know how others might have felt. I watched this for the first time late late at night one evening when I couldn't get to sleep. I ended up watching the whole thing start to finish ending at about three or four am. I don't want to speak about the actual storyline but I will say that the ending seemed to provide a release for that building of emotion, but it wasn't so much as release as it was a settling. Or rather a soothing of a storm. Something about it made me feel very Zen, very peaceful. It was late or rather early when I finally got to bed but I had to lay back and just stare up at the ceiling for a few minutes savoring that feeling, it was like all of a sudden I was comepletely content with all I had done and was just there at peace. I recall even remarking to myself that it really struck me as bizarre that a animation could do that to me. I suppose howver I identify well with the concept of swordsmanship and the warrior. If your one of those film critic types who is going to analyze animation style and plot scheme etc, then you may miss it all and that would be too bad, but if your the type that can just sit back and watch a movie without having to raise your hand asking questions or making comments every five minutes, I think you'll be glad you added this one to your shelf.
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: Excellent movie!!!
Review: I recently saw a episode of Rurouni Kenshin on Cartoon Network and found the show to be very interesting. I purchased all 95 episodes on DVD and became hooked. After I finished watching all 95 episodes, I wanted to learn more about Kenshin Himura, the man formerly known as Hitokiri Battousai, the rebellion's most feared assassin. When I learned that a movie was available on DVD that was a prequel to the series, I immediately ordered it and was blown away by the story and artwork. All the questions that anyone may have about the series and about Kenshin's past will be revealed, including how he got his famous cross shape scar and why he became a wanderer. My only complaint is that the dub does not stay true with the translation. All in all, this is an excellent addition to anyone's anime library who is a fan of Rurouni Kenshin.
Rating:
Summary: The Conflict: War or Humanity
Review: Himura Kenshin, now a wanderer, has his life's story told in this story of Trust & Betrayal. Death has followed him since he was a child and all he ever wanted was to use his sword to save people. This is the story of how one misstep could lead a young man into chaos and the one woman who could save him. Will he chose to be a manslayer, or a humble citizen? Watch to find out! Overall the graphics are good. Some scenes use computer animated footage of real things which is creepy. There is a lot of blood shed and murder. For those who don't like that, DON'T WATCH! For fans, it explains his cross-shaped scar. One of the best movies yet!
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Story
Review: I'm a fairly newcomer to the Kenshin saga having only seen the series on the Cartoon Network which is how my curiosity was sparked after learning that there was a more seriously mature story out on DVD.
This is a classic love story as only the Japanese mindset can conceive of with Tomoe's reclaimation of Kenshin's humanity. The ending brought me to tears both in the original Japanese with English subtitles and English version.
Because of the bloody killings and violence I would not recommend this for anyone under the age of 17.
I really enjoyed this and have just ordered "Reflection."
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I would first like to say that I really enjoy Rurouni Kenshin and the especially the Samurai X movies, however, having said that I was greatly disappointed with this release. I was hoping for more than an additional fight sequence that appeared in the very end of the movie. Also, I was very bummed, by the lack of extras on the DVD itself. In all the DVD is quite worth it if you don't own Trust and Betrayal. Another redeeming quality if you don't own the aformentioned movies is Director's Cut is one long feature not divided into two episodes as it appears on the other two DVDs. Also, the cover is reversible, but the reverse artwork really was not that great. Overall, the only reason I gave this DVD 1 star was because it is Samurai X and the story is wonderful, but if already own T&B don't bother.
Rating: 
Summary: If you already own trust and betrayal, skip this dvd
Review: because there is NO point getting this for 10 seconds worth of additional scenes that you really aren't going to notice much.
Gee, let me see.. there is that additional .05 sec of kenshin stabbing and twisting his sword, additional .10 sec of using two hands to cut down a man, additional 3 sec of battle in the bridge scene, couple additional facial shots in different angle.. and oh, all four anime packed into one dvd in original Japanese OVA style.. and this coming from a guy who saw trust and betrayal over 10 times. I really wonder what was ADV's point of bringing this masterpiece back as "director's CUT" when there really.. isn't much to offer other than saving $$ If you haven't seen or own trust and betrayal, by all means get this DVD. your basically getting two for one deal, but if you already own both, trust me - skip it.
|
