13 ASSASSINS (2010)

Directed By: Takashi Miike 
Written By: Daisuke Tengan 
Story By: Shoichirou Ikemiya 
Based on A Screenplay By: Kaneo Ikegami 
Cinematography: Nobuyasu Kita 
Editor: Kenji Yamashita 


Cast: Koji Yakusho, Takayuki Yamada, Yusuke Iseya, Arata Furuta, Sosuke Takaoka, Koen Kondo, Masataka Kubota, Ikki Sawamura, Seiji Rokkaku 


A group of assassins come together for a suicide mission to kill an evil lord.


I will admit to not necessarily being the big guest fan of samurai films. I usually like the characteristics and the moral code they follow. The fact that they are fierce warriors is always taken into effect, but usually leads to some good action scenes. A kind of western from the east with an unforgettable battle at the end.

Here the story starts out slow to lay down the groundwork and involves some of director Takashi Miike’s usual grotesque elements. Though thankfully not to his usual extremes.

As the story Progresses, we get to learn a little about the main characters and their training and journey. Which is leading up to an eventual final showdown. Which is teased at the beginning until we get to the second half of the film. Which is then totally devoted to it. As the final battle is the second half of the film. That’s right an almost hour long battle. That is never boring, nor do you ever get used to it. As it manages to shock and impress the audience the whole time. Yet never feeling like it’s going overboard or just trying to show off. It feels natural.

Director Miike’s managed to make the visuals lush filled with landscapes and great cinematography. There are a few scenes with distracting CGI, but Realistically it would have been rather difficult to create those scenes without it. The film has his trademarks and plenty of violence, but thankfully isn't as over the top gory as some if his films can be.

This is the rare instance where you have a deep story with meaningful action. Where there is a story but you can’t stop admiring the direction and action. It’s a marvel to watch where you can’t take your eyes off the screen, Nor during the second half does the film seem like it will let you take a breath. As it produces so much energy.

The film manages to fit right into the directors playground. Though as a director one can respect him for always seeming to challenge himself with different genres. That are not always successful and commonly disturbing in his hands. Though usually are unforgettable.

As this is one of his awe inspiring pieces of cinema. 

GRADE: B+