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Samurai X - The Motion Picture (Rurouni Kenshin)

Samurai X - The Motion Picture (Rurouni Kenshin)

List Price: $29.98
Your Price: $23.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Misleading Packaging AND Reviewers
Review: To get it out of the way first, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie--I am huge fan of the Rurouni Kenshin series, and the movie, while not quite as good as the series' best parts, succeeded in giving me more of the same stuff I love so much (as long as you don't watch the horrific English dub--even compared to the series' English dub it's horrible).

Now on to the important part--the confusion that has been steeped upon this release. Here's what everyone should know, but seems to ignore (at least in reviews): "Samurai X" is the American title used to replace the Japanese title, "Rurouni Kenshin," when this movie and the OVA's were released by ADV. The original series (it came first, only after the comic) is being released under its original title by Anime Works. The Kenshin OVA's (under the American titles "Samurai X: Trust" and "Samurai X: Betrayal") were made later as a prequel to the series, chronicling the early days of Battousai the Manslayer/Hitokiri. By the time the series begins, 10 years later, the main character Kenshin has given up his past role of Battousai in order to somehow make up for his evils, so he lives as a wandering swordsman (note: not a samurai by any means, ever!) who refuses to kill. The Rurouni Kenshin movie takes place around the time of the series--as in, the same supporting cast appears, and Kenshin is currently a wanderer. Not only does the movie's story occur within the context of the series, but stylistically it fits as well.

Comparing the RK movie to the OVA series, in terms of story or style, is useless. They are two completely different works based on the same series, one made to portray the dark and violent aspects of Kenshin's early life, and the other meant to act as a direct companion to the material in the series. One reviewer relates the series and OVA's as being two seperate universes, and the movie an amalgamation of the two. Well, that is just flat-out wrong. All three works have been created along a timeline in terms of story, and in the case of style, have been created to reflect the period of Kenshin's that is being chronicled. The only reason the name "Samurai X" was given to the OVA's and movie was to make them look "cooler" for an American audience by Sony & ADV after they acquired the rights. The American name says nothing about the contents.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: pretty good
Review: This movie, if you buy it, you should watch the TV series up until the beginning of the Shishio saga, at least. If you watch this movie before that you'll just end up confused, saying who is that Cop Dude and so forth. It was just meant to be a quick episode that probably didnt fit into the timing of the regular series.....still worth getting tho if your a BIG fan like me >^.^<
as for the Trust/Betrayl OVA's YOUR BETTER OFF NOT GETTING THEM OR WATCHING TILL YOU FINISH THE ENTIRE SERIES.....trust me it'll just be better than. It answers some of the questions you might have had during the series....if you watch them first than you'll just spoil the entire series for yourself.

IN CONCLUSION: TV SERIES FIRST, KENSHIN MOVIE SECOND, AND OVA'S LAST is the order in which you should watch them.

~TenKen~

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Not Essential.
Review: The Rurouni Kenshin movie is, to put it simply, poor. The Rurouni Kenshin TV series is pretty good, but this movie brings down the series as a whole. If your looking for a good Anime movie check out Akira or Sailor Moon Super S.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Could have been better...
Review: RK is currently tied for my first favorite anime (Escaflowne is its competition) The movie i thought was pretty good, but it falls short of the TV series and the OAVs. But definetly worth checking out. Its a little slow going, but it takes the time to develope the story line nicely, and there are some pretty cool fights. So my virdict is definetly check it out, its up to u though if u will think its up to par with the OAVs and TV series. If your a RK fan, im positive u will like it either way though.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Little Bits of Both Worlds
Review: The Samurai X Motion Picture, sometimes known as the Rurouni Kenshin movie, takes slivers from both parts of the Rurouni Kenshin universe and combines them. This can be a surprise if you're not expecting it and can be a disappointment if you're not prepared.

For the most part, the animation style is based on that of the TV series, which is characterized by brighter colors and spiky hair. In addition, the characters are drawn from their incarnations in the TV show. This means that Kenshin is no longer the Battousai but rather a 'rurouni' or wanderer who will not kill, quite different from his OAV personality.

There are some portions where the animation resembles that of the OAV but this turns out to be merely one fight, inserted a number of times into different parts of the movie. There is little else that resembles the OAV though, which can be a disappointment for its fans. The movie takes place well after the OAV, with even the flashbacks to Kenshin as the Battousai coming after the events in the OAV. No set time is given for where it takes place in the TV series, if it even happened according to the series timeline at all.

The plot takes a while to get off the ground, struggling through the first 30 minutes or so. It does draw you in eventually, if you let it, but it feels like a bit of a let down from what you've come to expect from the TV series or the OAV. Kenshin has one serious fight at the end, leaving you feeling cheated. The plot resolution feels a bit weak as well, though they do manage to tie up the loose ends.

For those who are used to the voices in the English dub of the TV series, the voices in the English dub of the movie are not the same. The DVD offers the movie in Japanese with English subtitles or in English, which gives the viewer a choice. The art is slightly different from that of the TV series, though clearly based on it. It is more gory than the TV series however.

All in all, as a fan of both Rurouni Kenshin and Samurai X, I found the movie to be a little bit of both. It didn't rate 5 stars because of the problems I felt it had, but it is still worth getting if you're prepared for the differences. The film still manages to present Kenshin with some beautifully done emotional conflicts and it's worthwhile to see how he reacts. It's not the perfect movie for either series, but it does share a little bit of both.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Samurai X , Anime Masterpiece
Review: Samurai X, The Motion Picture, is by far one of the most beautiful works of art I have ever seen. It shows the world through young sword master Kenshin's eyes, who fights for justice in hard times for Japan. But it is not easy for Kenshin, who vowed long ago never to kill again. Althought the movie is a bit gory, it shows what evil violence can bring, and only staying true to your heart can you bring an end to corruption and injustice.

Nudity: none Language: some, but no f-words Blood: lots and lots, (which, interestingly, changes from bright orange to deep purple.) I would personaly rate this 15 and up for violence.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: GREAT!
Review: If you're an anime lover this is a great movie for you to see! I think Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X) is one of the best anime's out there! If you like fight scenes with a bit of romance then you'll love this. Its basically about a guy who is battling within himself about killing people. (Conscious is taking over) Really good! Recommended! TOTALLY!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Quit comparing it to the OAV's
Review: It's not bad nor superb but it has nothing to do with trust and betrayal which I Admit were good as well

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good.....but too short
Review: This was my first Samurai X experience. I was very impressed with the deep story line and the top notch animation. However, the plot was rather predictable, the movie was too short, and too many flash backs (maybe to make the movie longer?). This would have received a 5 if it wasn't for those 3 things. Make no mistake, this movie was still BADASS...excuse the language :) I loved it, and I think all anime lovers should take a look. BTW...I just started to collect the TV series and watched all the DVDs up to Ice Blue Eyes. I am also eagerly waiting for Trust and Betrayal to come home

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Hmmm. What happened?
Review: Loved the 2 Originals (Trust/Betrayal) but this is a saturday morning cartoon compared to those two, OH well...


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