Shivers ran through my spine several times while I watched this movie. That's a little embarrassing to admit. I thought that maybe it was nostalgia, maybe it just triggered happy feelings, maybe it reminded me of my old spirit, or maybe it was just cold in the cinema. Whatever it was, I loved this movie.
I don't take too well to movie houses. They're out of my measly budget. Hehehe. Well, that and I can't seem to shut out other things while watching a movie. I'm painfully aware of what's going on around me. It sucks. Why spend for distractions when I could get them at home for free?
Case in point the couple to my left continued their conversation well into the beginning of the movie. Now I know it can't be helped that people talk from time to time while watching a movie, but the bf of the girl to my left seemed to have no idea how to whisper. Not even a loud whisper. He used the same tone and volume from before the movie started until the credits rolled in. In recent years I realized I was a loud talker, reaching outrageous decibels in inappropriate locations. I hardly ever notice it too. But I try, try, try to always lower my voice in a cinema. Some people don't make that effort anymore.
Guy to my right didn't talk much but he had a thing with shaking his leg. His entire chair was vibrating and so was mine! Wtf? Am I watching this movie in a bus? I couldn't tell him to stop because he'd stop then I'd feel hopeful he won't do it again, then he starts shaking his leg again. Shake, stop, shake, stop, shake, stop. I was waiting for a chance to stop him like one of those arcade games where you wait to hammer the critter that pops out of a hole. I finally 'caught' him three fourths into the movie and was able to ask him to stop.
Still, it wasn't so bad all things considered. Shaking guy obliged to stop without complaint and talking couple weren't that bad compared to some other people who were in the theater. There was even someone who yelped out of the blue. Imagine being seated next to them.
Back to Rurouni Kenshin- The first thing I can say is "Contacts!" Seriously, I was fixated on everyone's eyes. Were they all wearing contacts?
Anyway, I was little worried that maybe I should have brushed up on the story before seeing the movie but realized I didn't need to. The story was presented well that even somebody unfamiliar with the series will be able to follow everything easily.
Kaoru Kamiya was a character people I encountered then didn't like much. Compared to most of the characters in the whole story she was useless and annoyingly optimistic. Live action Kaoru was awesome however and vindicates the character. She portrays vulnerability and inner strength of the character that falls flat in the anime.
It's amazing how well they incorporated details characteristic to the anime like how the characters moved, in particular, their stances before and after dealing a blow. Some scenes were so familiar it was as if they were taken right out of the anime.
I think the best thing about this movie is the realistic approach they took. It felt like a period movie. The special effects were subtle and blended nicely with the atmosphere of the film. The fight scenes were really good but they didn't overshadow the story.
It's a nostalgia trip for anyone familiar with the story, and a good movie even non-fans will enjoy.
*Update: I've recently seen the sequel- Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno. Read about it here.
I don't take too well to movie houses. They're out of my measly budget. Hehehe. Well, that and I can't seem to shut out other things while watching a movie. I'm painfully aware of what's going on around me. It sucks. Why spend for distractions when I could get them at home for free?
Case in point the couple to my left continued their conversation well into the beginning of the movie. Now I know it can't be helped that people talk from time to time while watching a movie, but the bf of the girl to my left seemed to have no idea how to whisper. Not even a loud whisper. He used the same tone and volume from before the movie started until the credits rolled in. In recent years I realized I was a loud talker, reaching outrageous decibels in inappropriate locations. I hardly ever notice it too. But I try, try, try to always lower my voice in a cinema. Some people don't make that effort anymore.
Guy to my right didn't talk much but he had a thing with shaking his leg. His entire chair was vibrating and so was mine! Wtf? Am I watching this movie in a bus? I couldn't tell him to stop because he'd stop then I'd feel hopeful he won't do it again, then he starts shaking his leg again. Shake, stop, shake, stop, shake, stop. I was waiting for a chance to stop him like one of those arcade games where you wait to hammer the critter that pops out of a hole. I finally 'caught' him three fourths into the movie and was able to ask him to stop.
Still, it wasn't so bad all things considered. Shaking guy obliged to stop without complaint and talking couple weren't that bad compared to some other people who were in the theater. There was even someone who yelped out of the blue. Imagine being seated next to them.
Back to Rurouni Kenshin- The first thing I can say is "Contacts!" Seriously, I was fixated on everyone's eyes. Were they all wearing contacts?
Anyway, I was little worried that maybe I should have brushed up on the story before seeing the movie but realized I didn't need to. The story was presented well that even somebody unfamiliar with the series will be able to follow everything easily.
Kaoru Kamiya was a character people I encountered then didn't like much. Compared to most of the characters in the whole story she was useless and annoyingly optimistic. Live action Kaoru was awesome however and vindicates the character. She portrays vulnerability and inner strength of the character that falls flat in the anime.
The actress, Emi Takei, who portrayed Kaoru Kamiya looked strangely familiar. I'm quite sure I don't know her because I don't watch much Japanese films and the ones I do watch are horror movies. Then it hit me- Kathryn Bernardo. Dammit, I couldn't unsee after that!
An image search for Emi Takei reveals that her similarity with Kathryn is only apparent in the movie. Heh. But damn. Nakakasira ng experience. Maya't maya kong naiisip, "Nasaan si Daniel Padilla?"
(**Update: I've seen this photo used on other sites and people remarking that they don't look alike. Well, like I said, in other photos Emi Takei doesn't look like Kathryn. Besides, Kathryn's photo that was used here was during her stint in the show "The Princess and I". Since then they've both grown up, making them even more different in their features and therefore, their appearance.")
An image search for Emi Takei reveals that her similarity with Kathryn is only apparent in the movie. Heh. But damn. Nakakasira ng experience. Maya't maya kong naiisip, "Nasaan si Daniel Padilla?"
(**Update: I've seen this photo used on other sites and people remarking that they don't look alike. Well, like I said, in other photos Emi Takei doesn't look like Kathryn. Besides, Kathryn's photo that was used here was during her stint in the show "The Princess and I". Since then they've both grown up, making them even more different in their features and therefore, their appearance.")
Megumi Takani was played by Yu Aoi. She's pretty but I kinda envisioned a much more sophisticated looking Megumi with stronger, more defined features.
Sanosuke Sagara- Now, I didn't see that coming. If not for the outfit that I distinctly remember I wouldn't be able to immediately recognize who he was. But his characterization of the brazen, arrogant, street fighter made up for it.
Takeru Sato's Kenshin Himura was spot on. I could totally see him as the living and breathing Kenshin. I hadn't really thought of how Kenshin's expressions would translate in real life but I liked how he captured the dorkiness of "innocent" Kenshin.
It's amazing how well they incorporated details characteristic to the anime like how the characters moved, in particular, their stances before and after dealing a blow. Some scenes were so familiar it was as if they were taken right out of the anime.
It's a nostalgia trip for anyone familiar with the story, and a good movie even non-fans will enjoy.
*Update: I've recently seen the sequel- Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno. Read about it here.
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