13 Assassins [Blu-ray]

"13 Assassins" borrows somewhat from the plot of Akira Kurasawa's all-time classic, "Seven Samurai" and that is a great thing indeed. This is one of the best films I've seen this year and one that hopefully every action fan gets a chance to see.The plot is fairly straightforward, set in the mid-19th century Japan, the evil lord Naritsugu (played with cool detachment by Goro Inagaki) has positioned himself to be in line for the Shogunate (the military leader of Japan). The Shogun's top advisor Sir Doi (Mikijiro Hika) fears what might happen to the nation if Naritsugu takes over, so he enlists his friend Shinzaemon Shimada (a glorious Koji Yakusho who should get some recognition for his portrayal) to recruit as many of the samurai (or "assasins") who are left to kill Naritsugu. The first half of the film covers Shinzaemon's recruiting, training, and planning efforts. This is important as we get to know most of the recruited samurai. The second half is set in a village which has been rigged as a trap for Naritsugu.It is the second half of the film, a virtual non-stop 45 minutes of action that leaves you almost breathless by the end. A tribute to director Takashi Miike who eschews the "shaky cam" technique that so dominates films today and presents straightforward, well framed action sequences that seemingly use few CGI effects, save perhaps for the famous "cows on fire" who sweep through the village early in the fight.Not quite a classic perhaps, but "13 Assassins" is a great action film with a near perfect villain in Naritsugu, whose brutality is shown early in film with some disturbing images that are definately NOT for the kiddies to see. Despite the seemingly small number of "assassins", we don't get to know all of them unfortunately, so some of them who do die we don't "feel" as much for as some of the others, but that is a minor nit at best.I heartily recommend "13 Assassins" to all movie fans of adult age. It stands out quite well in this age of "comic book heroes" as a throwback to the days of the great films of Kurasawa.+ I have just purchased the Blu-Ray DVD, the extras include;The "deleted" scenes that were in the original Japanese release. Most of which are simply trims, but there are four stand alone scenes. Two of them deal with character of Koyoga that hint...:)A nearly 20 minute interview with the director Miike in his native language. I was a little surprised that such an interview, conducted apparently to promote the film in Japan would reveal the entire ending. So you should view the entire film first so as not to "spoil" the ending.And one of the theatrical trailers.+ I must note, while not giving away exactly why, one of the "assassins" Koyoga (an energetic Yusuke Iseya, whose character and performance reminds us a little of Toshiro Mifune in "Seven Samurai"), who lives in the forest and becomes the "13th Assassin" has generated a lot of discussion in some blogs about his character. In particular his participation in one scene of the film. I would suggest that viewers pay particular attention to Koyoga's attitude and choices of weapons which reveals a lot about just what kind of character he is. There is definately more than meets the eye with him.

The blu ray is good quality, and the film is great. It’s like 300 but with samurai and much better IMO.

As movie goers should know, this is a re-making of a classic film -- as well as a classic them. Director Miike does an excellent job to draw the viewer into a world of evil while slowing building our expectations of redemption. Couldn't ask for better acting, editing or action. "Culminates" (for about an hour) with a non-stop release of our avenging expectations. Watch on as big a screen and highest quality audio as possible.

This movie is tough to watch because of the violence carried out by the antagonist, and more so because of the samurai that (must) defend him. It humanizes samurai and shows them as they are; human, flawed, and not necessarily the only one in the fight. The action is great, and the dialog doesn't disappoint. It's a must see for all who love samurai culture.

Not only is this one of Miike's best (which is saying a lot considering he's made well over 100+ films during his career so far, some of them very good as well), but this is easily one of the best modern-day Samurai films in recent memory. Gone are the typical Lynchian, distorted weirdness that fills many, if not most, of his other films, and instead 13 Assassins is filled to the brim with Shakespearian intrigue, harsh feudal samurai violence, and a ridiculously explosive, extremely brutal final battle that will leave your jaw dropped throughout the entire event.In many ways, this is a retelling of the 47 Ronin story (and is also a remake of 1963 film by the same name), in which an underdog group of samurai must take on a murderous, high-ranking lord for his evil crimes and for their own sense of honor and justice. There are plenty of differences in the plot to not make it a blatant ripoff, but it definitely shares similar elements, though they could also just be inherent to Japanese culture in general. There's plenty of Macbeth-style story, mashed up with the kind of hyper violence that is unique to Miike (and one of Quinten Tarantino's influences), and it's a breath of fresh air to see him not employ his typical tactics of subversive meta-horror and simply stick to a straight up, balls-to-the-wall samurai flick. It's no Kurosawa film, but lands solidly as one of the best modern day samurai flicks to ever come out and the fact that Takashi Miike directed it actually doesn't surprise me at all. When he has all the right elements at his disposal, as he does here, the man can craft grimly beautiful and superior movies than any Hollywood blockbuster can push out.

I just bought it and watched it as soon as it came in. Loved every second of it! Had an 2+ hour runtime but it felt like an hour with how good it was. Would recommend to anyone wanting a fantastic more modern samurai action movie!

wonderful execution of not only a Samurai movie but observation of society and our duty for the betterment of it. Wonderfully shot, perfectly executed by everyone involved. Bravo!

I've always heard good things about this movie. Wish I bought it sooner. Stands up with some of the very best movies ever made. Absolute gem of action adventure with a compelling story.

PLOT...A group of assassins come together for a suicide mission to kill an evil lord.13 Assassins 2010 is a sunning action Japanese Samurai movie, still now after all these years there's no better movie! Directed by the brilliant Takashi Miike who in 2017 had a hit with Blade of the immortal yet again another amazing movie. Like allot of these movie its basically a revenge movie, an evil lord who's does cruel things to his people and must be eliminated! The cast is really good and there is plentiful action mainly within the last 45mins of the movie when the real battle begins, 13 against 200 in a huge bloody and gory massacre! Great effects mainly practical, plenty blood and amazing sword play! If your a big fan of this genre then this is still a worthy movie to have in the collection.Picture on the Blu-ray looks good.Features include Trailer, deleted scenes and an interview with director (42mins total)Region B UK. Running time 125mins. 2010.Japanese movie with English subtitles only.

Excelente

Jammer, maar er zitten alleen Japanse en Duitse talen bij (geen Engels en/of Nederlands)... dat verwacht je niet voor een levering in Nederland en op een Blu-Ray...

Avalon nos trae 13 asesinos una obra maestra del director Takashi Miike que a mi parecer supera a la original del 63 de Eichi Kudo. Un verdadero orgasmo visual con el señor personal del director, donde no faltara una excelente fotografia entre mezclada con una sinfonia de violencia, honor y venganza. Se nota en el filme los guiños constantes al cine de Kurosawa en especial a Yojimbo y los siete samurais. Sobre la edición decir que trae audio en castellano en 5.1 aunque recomiendo verla en VOS, la calidad de imagen es excelente, y en el campo de extras destacan: " El 14 samurai" recopilatorio de pensamientos del director sobre el filme, y un diccionario Samurai.Estamos ante una de las mejores péliculas modernas del genero samurai, donde Takeshi Miike da una vez mas una cátedra de dirección, que sumado a una edición mas que decente, la hacen una compra imprescindible para las estanterías de cualquier coleccionista.

Wer sich für die Geschichte der Samurei und deren Untergang interessiert ist bei Takashi Miike genau richtig ! THEMA des Films : Seppuku als Protest für das Verhalten eines Fürsten, der sich als menschlicher Bastard benimmt und seiner sadistischen Neigung in jeder Lebenssituation nachkommt, ihm gehorcht ein Tross von Samurei, die nicht ihrem Gewissen folgen, sich zur Menschlichkeit zu bekennen, nein, diese Samurei gehorchen einem Tyrannen, sie beschützen ihn sogar noch ! - Die Vergangenheit lehrt uns aber, daß Tyrannen nur eine gewisse Zeit herrschen und irgendwann zu Tode kommen, nur dauert es oft sehr lange ! Das angerichtete Leid ist sehr groß im Schutz der Samurei ! Der ältesten Rat beschliesst ein Attentat vorzunehmen in typischer japanischer Art und Weise.Die Assassins kämpfen bis zum letzten Mann, nur einer bleibt am Leben und der Mann des Waldes !Amputierte Gliedmaße gehören bei Mike Takashi Miike zur Filmrealität, wie z. B. in "AUDITION" finden sich die Szenen hier wieder, nur noch brutaler und abartiger !13 Kämpfer die einem Tyrannen nach dem Leben trachten, sich nicht fürchten vor einer Übermacht, sich einsetzen, eine Tyrannenherrschaft zu beenden, in einem totalen Massaker in dem schliesslich alle ihr Leben lassen in der Takashi Miike ART - Kopf ab - Seppuku - also Selbstmord mit und ohne Assistenten - Zunge raus reißen - Schwert- und Lanzenkampf - Tod und Sterben durch Pfeile des japanischen Langbogens ! Der Film ist nichts für zart beseitete Gemüter, selbst Kenner der Schwertkampf-Szene werden auf emotionaler Achterbahn des Films durchgeschüttelt ! Der Film ist und bleibt ein Meisterwerk und nimmt die Betrachter total mit ! Am Ende ist der Tyrann tot, sein Kopf rollt im Dreck - es lebe die Freiheit, es leben die Kämpfer der Befreiung, jetzt aber nicht mehr, im Kampf für die gerechte Sache gefallen ! Das ist nichts Neues ! An einem alten Fachwerkhausbalken in Dresden steht geschrieben : " Die Feuer der Freiheit leuchten, die Feuer der Tyrannei brennen !" Dem füge ich in Anlehnung an den Untergang der Samurei hinzu : Freiheit wird erkämpft, nicht erbettelt ! Wenn die Freiheit erreicht ist werden die Helden der Freiheitskämpfe verehrt, das ist der Ruhm und das Schicksal der Krieger und der Kämpfer, nicht nur in Japan, wo die Freiheit jetzt herrscht ! Ein sehr sehenswerter Film an die Grenze der Unerträglichkeiten, also vorsicht ! - Es lebe die Befreiung von Tyrannen - zur Befreiung benötigen wir heute keine Samurei, keine Schwertkämpfer ! Das Schwert eines Befreiers ist blutig, das ist in diesem Film sehr gut in der " Kopf ab - Szene " zu sehen Shinzaemon wischt das blutige Schwert in der Ellenbogenbeuge sauber, um es wieder mit Blut des Tyrannen zu besudeln !!! -