Azumi

Azumi comes to us from the same great director of Versus. What's interesting is that the 'Uncut' version is listed at 128 minutes, while this version clocks in at 142 minutes, like most of the import versions of this film. Either way, this is the longer, original version as the director intended. The English dub is great, audio and picture are great quality. The only drawback is it comes with zero extras. There is a menu option for 'Special Features', but when you click it a graphic appears asking you to insert the second disc. And, since this is only a single disc volume, you may scratch your head for a few minutes, as I did.Basic breakdown, group of assassins (good guys) heads out to do what they do. Naturally, the people on the receiving end of said assassinations (bad guys) are somewhat reluctant to the idea. This means the two groups spend 2+ hours trying to outdo one another. There, of course, are little twists and turns and introductions of peripheral characters. But the most important thing to note is that the action is about as plentiful as it can be. Probably no more than 7 minutes goes by before someone pulls out their sword and starts swinging.For those familiar with Kitamura, this film bears his trademarks. For those who aren't, his films would be most likened to Sam Raimi (Evil Dead 2, Army of Darkness, the Quick and the Dead), cult/Indie flicks with style and over-the-top gore and violence, all done with a hint of comedy and melodrama (read: what mainstream audiences consider movies for dorks and people that dress up and go to Comic-Con). You still get that 'indie' feel to the action and the dialogue, mixed with a very slick and stylish choreography. While most of the action is sword fighting, it is not Crouching Tiger or Hero. This isn't a Chinese movie with lots of one on one battles. Most of the action consists of a few people mowing down many with one clean strike after another. It's fast and furious and fun.The film is definitely on a bigger budget than Versus was. Yes, there's a lot of forest-running again. But now, we're treated to a few sets here and there. The costumes of the main characters are definitely of the "anime-come-to-life" variety. They strike me as what it would be like to see something like Naruto or Inuyasha or Ninja Scroll turned into a live-action film. But despite having a bigger budget and a more talented cast, it is still a true Kitamura film (that, of course, is a good thing). You'll even see your favorite Versus characters make appearances throughout.Like Versus, if you're averse to somewhat over the top action, acting, and gore, mixed with a fairly simple story line, this ain't your thing. This movie doesn't take itself too seriously and it never tries to be anything other than what it is: an awesome action movie. There are definitely those that will be thrown by what seems like a group of young kids in cartoony costumes engaging in some serious violence and gore (all done with superior style and grace throughout). Hey, what can I say? I love this stuff.

I saw this movie the first time on a BOOITLEG DVD so glad there a bonus DVD with behind the scenes & a ENGLISH DUB

I discovered this movie a while back online and like watching it often enough I wanted it in my library. WARNING: It is bloody and gory, but in a special effects kind of way. Lots of violence and death, but some important reflection on those very things.Aya Ueto is the very image of innocence and yet, she is the most effectively violent person in the movie. It is her own struggle to make a difference, be faithful, and change the world that invites the viewer to consider their own views on such violence while enjoying (or not) the action that we guys so enjoy watching. She is is a mythical and legendary kind of construct, but she is very young, female, human, and sensitive.

Assassin Azumi must defeat three warlods to restore order. I love the action in this film! To my surprise I found out after watching it that there's a manga about Azumi. The story seems complicated, so I will have to read about it later. As I saw the movie in comparison to the manga, the manga of course is where you can get all the details and proper order of the story. Obviously with a film they can only tell so much. The film couldn't cover everything, so I'm sure fans might be disappointed. I enjoyed the final showdown! It's my most memorable moment for this film. I heard that when it was bought to the West, some scenes where edited out, so if you want to buy this movie in full, do your research before you spend money. Check out the sequel too!

i have long been a historical fan of the japanese and thier culture.the movie azumi was a very good portrayl of a woman samuri.the movie ichi is also a good portrayl of a woman samurai.the movie the magnificent seven was based on akira kurazawas seven samurai to begin with.the samurai are properly honored in japanese society and should be.samurai movies are the equals to american westerns.it was the satsuma rebellion of 1867 that ended the samurai class.the bushido code in the pacific was a direct outcome of the samurai.in a society that even today that is so male dominated azumi and ichi are good signs of the progress of japanese women.

Interesting

This movie was great. Aya Ueto did a magnificant job playing Azumi. She is a very lively actress. The plot was a good approach but, it kind of fizzled towards the end. The true story in my opinion was how Azumi dealt with her demons.I was more caught up with the Azumi character than I did the original plot. The stuff she had to do to her friend in the beginning would have a tremendous impact on anyone but, to have to live with would make it that much worse. That is where revenge and justice comes in.The fight scenes were incredible. I do not believe I have seen a Samurai movie where the hero goes through a gautlant of people like she does.just awesome swordplay.

The product page for the (2008) is not correct :The running time is not 142 min, or the 147 min as listed on the back of the case.The film goes for 123 min before the credits cut in.There is only One Disc as stated, not the Two Discs as listed on the back of the case .* All the extras where meant to be on Disc 24 Stars for the film.I really enjoyed the film , when the film does picks up it doesn't hold back.

This 2003 fantasy adventure drama is set in the aftermath of the historical battle of Sekigahara [1600CE] when  master Jiji discovers the child Azumi and brings her up as an assassin along with 9 others to carry out a special mission. But having reached maturity, the assassins still have no idea of what the mission actually is and as they set off they soon learn things are not what they thought.This is a live action version of the Manga Tv series, and the special effects and atmosphere reflect this remarkably well. The surround sound works well in the battle scenes while the special effects are far better than I had expected. Although there is little real plot here, the story is gripping while the numerous set piece fights help keep it all moving along quickly and if you can get past the action sequences, there are some moralistic dilemmas that Azumi -and the others, have to confront.The single disc offers play, scenes, extras [making of, battle on the wildside, trailers & Tv spots] and optimum asia [a very short compilation trailer for other films]. Rated 18 on the adventure style martial arts violence, this has no nudity, although there are some inexplicit attempted rape scenes and some mild cussing, but the film is more a grown up version of 80s series such as ‘Monkey’ and ‘The Water Margin’. Don’t treat this as a ‘Flying Daggers’ or ‘Crouching Tiger’ and you may just like this if you want good and gory fight scenes, but above all it questions what's good and right.

While this obviously isn't in the same class as the Samurai masterpieces of the 40's & 50's golden era, this is still an enjoyable action film & the tone/style reminded me a bit of the Lone Wolf & Cub type films. While it can be a bit cheesy/goofy in places it's obvious from the 'making of' documentary included on the disc that this was a labour of love for both cast and crew to make - Aya Ueto, as the title character, especially gives her all in a defining role and really shines on screen, one minute she can be cute & innocent, joking around with her friends and in the next cutting down foes like a true Samurai/Assassin. If you're looking for an undemanding Samurai film with balls to the walls action you'll probably enjoy this film a lot.

KonnichiwaIf you follow Japanese history and in particular the Sanada family in medieval Japanyou will enjoy this, If you follow manga - I guess you will probably like it too.Fair action, but if your a MA practitioner - forget it.Sayonara

Was what I was thinking for the first half an hour or so of this movie- so far,so generic - seen all this before, and better done.And then ..things started to get a bit Tarantino-esque, and rather more interesting. Many Japanese films can be a bit po-faced, with the notable exception of Takeshi Kitano perhaps, and in the middle of all the usual 'dedication to duty, years of training, knights of bushido' blah blah, suddenly the three ninjas, fearing nothing on earth except their mother, and looking like medieaval refugees from Motley Crue showed up... and then the goth vamp swordsman with the red eyeshadow and the rose...and a few other odd touches that make it all quite endearing. All of which is amusing enough, as long as you don't take it or the whole genre too seriously. So not a classic, but passes the time OK

A very stylized film, with Ferris wheel camera work in action packed sequences, under the director of Ryuhei Kitamura, this is one hell of a Japanese sword wielding femme fatale movie