Best of the Series
I think all the Lone Wolf & Cub movies are great, but this is definitely the best one in my book. All the films in the series managed to combine a strong period feel, and a sort of delicate and solemn beauty with the outrageous and brilliant action scenes, but this one really manages to bring out the former without losing touch with the latter. To put it bluntly, this is one of the very best action movies I've ever seen, Asian or otherwise.
I won't bother going into the plot. It doesn't matter much. Suffice to say, Ogami has been given another contract, and he must kill a great many people along the way in order to make his final hit. (as usual) All of the LW&C movies had westerny feel to them, but this one is totally a Leone film set in feudal Japan. The cinematography in the series has always been good, but 'Babycart in the Land of Demons' easily tops any of the other entries. They make full use of the widescreen format, almost never shooting anything in a...
Restore Order....Kill Everyone!
This is the 5th Entry in the Series of Lone Wolf & Cub, and this one starts off with 5 emmissaries testing our hero, former Shogun Executioner, Ogami Itto. Of course 5 emmissaries testing Ogami, means 5 duels, 5 sliced up and dead emmissaries, 500 pieces of gold and the 5 bits of information Itto needs to do the job.
These 5 gave up their lives for their Clan which is in peril because the Lord of the Clan favors his concubine and is passing off her DAUGHTER as his son. A major no-no. Especially since he HAS a living son. This information has been written down and given by the Lord to a trusted holy man, the Abbott Jikei, who turns out to be a spy in cahoots with the Yagyu Clan, Ogami's sworn enemies.
So Ogami sets out to restore order to the Clan by: killing the Abbott & stealing the document (nice bit that!), and later killing half the clan to get to the Lord and doing him, his concubine and the child. Of course, Ogami manages all this with his trademark ferocity &...
the best of babycart
this the best in the series and I haven't even seen the third title yet. The shear conflict posed by the clan in it's attempt to right the wrong of it's former leader before his actions are dicovered isalmost un believeable. this is the true meaning of the code of bushido. Ogamii embraces their plight as if he were a member of the clan. Going as far as to face the old lord and chastise him for his selfish and selfdestructive actions. the cinematography is excellent and choreography if top notch, using many different sword styles and weapons. And as always little Daigoro give us all alesson in being a true samurai at the ripe old age of 3 . Many seem to think that Ogamii is seeking revenge as he travels around japan. But they are mistaken. I think he is biding time til his son can come of age and then together they will takeRetsudo's other eye and his head as well. this is a classic and should be regarded as so by any true nipponaphile would agree.
Click to Editorial Reviews
No comments:
Post a Comment