Rurouni Kenshin: The Final (2021)

Beautiful backstory

I've said this in every one of my other Rurouni Kenshin reviews so far but I have to say it again: even though I didn't love the fight scenes in this movie as much as in the previous ones, this series still has the best combat scenes I've ever seen, in everything including cinematography, choreography, sounds, etc.

The best part of this was undoubtedly Himura Kenshin's backstory and how it tied into the flashbacks we got in previous movies. I was so intrigued by the new pieces of the story we got and it also meant that we got a really good antagonist — one that had personal stakes. I did think the antagonist wasn't as strong as Shishio and it kind of wish this movie had the grandeur of the previous movies while keeping the emotional depth we got in this one.

I also really liked the scenes of our gang being together and as always, I wish we had more of that and of character growth in the side characters, especially Kaoru, who had the most personality during Part I: Origins and seemed to only get more bland and weak with every subsequent movie.

Apart from that, however, I think this movie was perfectly cast and it really makes me look forward to watching The Beginning!

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Great Conclusion to the Series, Awesome Fight scenes

I have loved all the Rurouni Kenshin movies. The scenery locations, sets, clothing, makeup, etc. was all fantastic. The fight scenes were phenomenal as always. Favourite fight sequences were those with Mackenyu Arata's character. Both Takeru Satoh and Mackenyu were awesome in The Final. [I would love a spin off movie with Mackenyu's character.] The other actors/actresses that we saw in the other movies, came back for their rolls and they were all great too. Some new ones, as expected and everyone gave their best performances.

The only reason this movie didn't get a 10/10 from me is because: 1) there were re-caps/memories from one of the previous movies, that seemed too long, 2) Karou and Kenshin's partnership lacked growth and romance and 3) I wanted more screen time for Mackenyu's character.

I have rewatched this so many times, that I have bought the entire series (DVD set)!

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The Second Best Movie In The Whole Franchise

Rurouni Kenshin: The Final is the fourth and second to the last installment in this saga. It is based on the Jinchu arc of the Rurouni Kenshin manga, better known to manga fans as the "revenge arc" for it explores Himura Kenshin's past and Yukishiro Enishi's attempts to avenge his sister's demise. Plot-wise, it pretty much remains faithful to the manga although there are parts that were taken out and parts that were added for fanservice and theatrical purposes. I could be wrong but I don't recall one particular fan-favorite character being part of this story. But what the hell, I don't mind.

There are stuff that I wish they had put in but the exclusion doesn't take away anything from the movie. I do have some minor gripes, though. There are some iffy CGI in some of the action sequences, particularly in the boss fight at the end. But I suppose they felt they needed to establish Enishi as someone with superhuman strength and abilities that can exceed Kenshin's since among all of Kenshin's adversaries in the manga (not including the recent arc), it's Enishi who almost killed him, and is, by far, the strongest of all his opponents. In the manga, Enishi specifically developed his fighting style to counter Kenshin's hiten mitsurugi, so yeah, the guy was practically created to end the Hitokiri Battousai. If not for his worsening mental state and obsession with his sister, he would've beaten Kenshin without a doubt. And I still don't like their treatment of Sano. They practically nerfed the guy and just turned him into the comic relief. Sano can be an idiot but he's no fool, and he's certainly not someone you can easily push aside.

Other than that, I don't have much to complain about this film. Although I wish they had followed the manga's narrative style starting with Kenshin's friends getting hurt by a series of attacks orchestrated by Enishi, then Kenshin telling the story behind his relationship with Enishi in a series of flashbacks, and ending with the final confrontation between the two, I know that this is probably the most effective way they could bring the Jinchu arc to life, considering the time constraints and that they have to divide it into two films. While following the manga would have helped non-manga readers or those who haven't seen the OVA's or anime series better understand the events that lead to Enishi's revenge, it's also not practical. So, I can't really oppose their decision to divide the story into two films with the last one being a prequel.

I had my doubts about Mackenyu's casting before, but he quickly wins me over as Enishi. I no longer doubt he is the right actor for the role. Tsuchiya Tao as Misao, like in the previous films, brings a smile to my face. I still hate that they make her less attractive in these films but I'm also glad that they make her so freakin' badass! I'm glad they brought back Iseya Yusuke as Aoshi as Aoshi and Misao really are supposed to be in this part of Kenshin's story. I still don't like Kaoru *shrugs* but it is what it is. lol No offense to Takei Emi, as I don't have anything against her, just her character. I don't even mind Sato Takeru in the role of Kenshin anymore, maybe I've gotten used to him or maybe because of his scenes with Arimura Kasumi as Tomoe that just felt right to me. I must say, I do notice a strong onscreen chemistry between them. I'm beginning to think that that's precisely the reason why Kasumi was cast as Tomoe. So despite my initial misgivings about her casting, I'm starting to actually like the idea of her as Kenshin's beloved first wife. I never thought I'd say that! lol

As for the technical aspects of the film, it's just beautifully shot, the cinematography is even more dramatic than in the previous films, the action scenes are better choreographed, and I love the emotional beats and dramatic scenes. I am still not a fan of Takeru's acting style but he pulls it off here. Final thoughts? I like this movie overall, it's very well done, and it's definitely one of the best installments in the series.

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