 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | URBAN VISION / ASIA VISION | | | ▪ | ASPECT RATIO: | | 1:85:1 ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN | | | ▪ | AUDIO: | | ENGLISH AND JAPANESE DD 5.1 | | | ▪ | RUNNING TIME: | | 108 MIN | | | ▪ | RATING: | | NR | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 05/06/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 05/05/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
Aya Ueto reprises her role as the legendary female assassin in Azumi 2, the live action film based on the hit manga “Azumi” by Yu Koyama. With still one warlord left to kill in order to avert war, Azumi (Aya Ueto) along with her one surviving comrade, Nagara, set off to assassinate the most powerful and dangerous lord of them all, Lord Masayuki. A suicide mission with little hope of survival, they will find themselves with unexpected allies and hidden enemies as the death count rises and the air soaks red with the blood of friend and foe alike. A feudal lone swordsman tale the likes of Ninja Scroll, Basilisk and Blade of the Immortal, fans of samurai epics will enjoy this tragic tale of duty, honour and revenge. Azumi is a stoic figure with deadly skills and a strong sense of duty. It is a duty that will be tested when she meets a rogue gang of bandits with a handsome man that is a dead ringer for the beloved comrade Nachi that she had to kill previously. The obstacles in their way mount as Masayuki learns of the plot to kill him and sends the deadly Koga Ninja to kill the Iga assassins as well as mustering his army for war. Azumi however wishes to avert war and end the cycle of tragedy killing causes. But is that a realistic dream in a time and place where living and dying by the sword is everything? It is a moving action film. Like many such Asian films it offers more tragically noble tale than what many Westerners are used to. Anyone who has seen Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or the House of Flying Daggers will know more what to expect from Azumi 2 which offers as much drama as it does action. There are one on one battles as well as huge melees with soldiers and bandits. Although it may lack the budget for the more ballet style choreography and special effects as the movies mentioned above, it has a fast paced and dramatic fighting style filled with blood and vigour. There are dismemberments and blood spray so it isn’t a film for the squeamish. More than anything, however, it is the emotional content of the film that stands out. The tragedy of Azumi as the wandering hero, unwelcome and alone is what will move audiences. Her choices may be just but it is a harsh road that she must travel, one riddled with death. Azumi 2 boasts some exceptionally talented cast and crew. The director is award winning Shusuke Kaneko who directed Death Note the live action film. The producer is the same from the first Azumi movie and also has worked on the now legendary Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust. Along with Aya Ueto reprising her role beautifully in this second film, she is joined by Chiaki Kuriyama in the role of the assassin Kozue. Westerners will undoubtedly recall her from her unforgettable performance in Kill Bill Vol. 1. Each character in Azumi 2 is memorable in their own right. It’s a bloodthirsty tale about duty and vengeance that will please any fan of blood and guts and die by the sword action films.
EXTRAS:
Bonus features include an image gallery, trailers of other Urban Vision titles, and “Through the Eyes of Azumi”, which is a behind the scenes look at the making of the second film and runs just over 30 minutes in length. It offers a look back at the first film, in depth interviews with lead actor Aya Ueto as well as the other actors and it shows behind the scenes filming of the second movie.
IN SUMMARY:
Azumi 2 is a dramatic live action film about the days when love, honor and duty lived and died by the sword. |
