Rurouni Kenshin: The Final

I was quite surprised to learn the Rurouni Kenshin live-action film series was getting two new additions in 2021, nearly 7 years after The Legend Ends. At first I was a little sceptical as I thought this might be some weird cash-in, but their reception was once again positive, so I waited until a proper opportunity came to watch them with my dad. This film adapts the final arc of the manga. It was confusingly released before "The Beginning", the reason being that both films were produced simultaneously. I might honestly recommend viewers see "The Beginning" first, but it works both ways really. It's just nice to leave the final movie for last. Personally, I watched this one first and it didn't hinder my enjoyment in any significant manner, but I gained some more appreciation for it post-factum.

"Rurouni Kenshin: The Final" sees our main character, Himura Kenshin, face off against a new villain, Yukishiro Enishi, and his entourage. A premise that might leave you sceptical, but the relationship between Kenshin and Enishi is quite interesting. Takeru Satoh is fantastic in the role of the protagonist as always, while Mackenyu gives it his all, a tad too much at times, for the antagonist. Besides these, many characters return and are given standout moments. I do wish some had a bit more of a role to play frankly, but the film is long as it is and I can see that the story would have had too much going on for its own good. It does its best while maintaining a focused narrative. Big shout-out to Sanosuke and Aoshi, love those guys.

The action is what puts these films above any others, and I am pleased to say that the choreography remains excellent. Over-the-top and beautiful to watch, there is no point at which the effects break the immersion. There's always been a focus on practical effects and it does wonders for the look of these movies.

The music remains fantastic, which is no surprise as The Final reuses many of the series' classic themes. As it rightly should, the songs are wonderful and the connection I have to them gave me chills at times.

"Rurouni Kenshin: The Final" is a worthy conclusion to the saga and it is great at wrapping up all the series' themes and ending on the right note. I do wish some of the side characters received more development, but as I said, I understand that the film medium is not fully capable at handling so many characters' stories at once. In this case, it's incredible how concise The Final is. Must-watch for fans of the films and for any who might be eyeing it, please do yourself a favour and start with the first one. It was wonderful seeing all these characters I love again and how their lives have turned out.

The overall story was ok. The fight scenes are what made this movie. Even the small fights were really well done. Some of the best I've seen in a long time.

[Netflix] This return to the Rurouni Kenshin saga becomes an accurate reflection of the hero's doom and the desire for revenge. The story is guided by the antagonist Enishi, because it is he and his past that ends up defining the protagonist. There are spectacular fight sequences, but the film is fed by the figure of the tragic hero, who is accompanied by a scar that is physical, but above all deeply emotional.

Both heroines look so cute