Azumi 2: Death or Love (2005)

I didn't bother commenting on Azumi 1 since there's w really not much to say. It's a very good modern ninja movie. And it's good to see a female hero for once, though I'm sure it has existed before in Asian movies (Lady bloodsnow or something right ?) Anyways, i liked Azumi 1 and rated it a seven (7). But i liked this one slightly more. I feel you get to understand the character better as well as there's now need for the long introduction which was at the beginning of Azumi 1.The story is pretty much the same, but the fighting sequences are more believable and interesting.That's all i have to say, really, slightly better is my final words.

Azumi was one of the best in recent samurai movies in the last few years. This sequel, while not hitting the high points of that movie, is still a good follow-up. As Azumi and Nagara continue their hunt for the last lord, they meet up with a group of bandits, one of whom looks very familiar.....The original had a plot that was more simple and straight forwards. Here there is actually more going on, and as a result, with a number of new characters introduced sometimes Azumi and Nagara are lost in the mix.Having said that however, the action, while not quite as good as in the first movie, is still very impressive. But what has also been added is a bit more of an emotional, even love story with the character of Ginkaku. Loking exactly like Nachi (someone Azumi liked, possibly loved and had to kill in the first movie), it gives Azumi a possible chance of love, but as is always the case in movies like this, things never go to plan.As in the first movie, Aya Ueto gives a strong performance in the lead role. The rest of the cast are just as good too. Shusuke Kaneko taking over the direction handles it well.It may not be as action packed as the first, but it is a very worthy sequel.

Azumi 2: Death or Love starts exactly where the first film has ended. Therefore you cannot look on it as a single film, but as part of the first one, because it finishes the story that started in the first film, directed by Kitamura, who did a really good job.But this film is not directed by Kitamura and that is a very big shame, because he could make this movie even better than it really was. Maybe also better than the first part.The actors are doing their best on the screen and some battle scenes are worth seeing, but many of them lack the real choreography that we were able to see in the first Azumi. Mayn of the fight scenes also look very odd and are really missing Kitamura's touch.Although the battle scenes are not as good as in the original, the story on the other hand gets much deeper. The main character suffers and also the enemy is stronger. It is quite well seen that this film was built more on a emotional level than on action. But still, it shouldn't be lacking on the action, because it is an action adventure.CGI is used only in scenes that were impossible to make, like the scene with the boomerang weapon. So the usage of CGI is the same as in the original, but it has evolved. It looks more realistic than in the first film. But thank good it isn't used almost the whole time like in many Hollywood films, which depend on the CGI and not on the story.Azumi 2 is not a perfect film, but it is worth seeing, although the taste after seeing it is kind of a bittersweet, because it really is not on the same level as part one. But I need to remind you all that there are very little sequels that are equal to the original or even better. But all in all, it is still a lot better than any sequel made in Hollywood, because these kind of films still have their heart and soul, while many from Hollywood are created only for one purpose, to make more money. In other words, the soul is sold to the devil.This is Azumi 2, a great tale of a girl, who wants to bring peace to the people of Japan by killing all the lords who want war. It is an epic story that you will like it, but not as much as the first Azumi. I advise you only that you forget the fact that it is not as good as the original and let yourself into a entertaining almost two hour long ride.This film could have get a nine out of ten, but I rated it eight, because of the not convincing fight scenes and because it sometimes lacks in the story's tempo and you can get bored, but just for a few seconds.

This Azumi achieves it's props by different means than the first movie. In the first movie viewers were sucked in by the action scenes, in this one however the main content of the movie focuses on emotions the characters to through the way of making Azumi and co (well mainly Azumi) think weather the mission she and the others on is acceptable. The final fight scene (well most fight scenes are weak. To make this movie something (well worth a ten) you would need to merge Kitamura's one track action mind with the new directors feel for making the audience read between the lines. I wont try and spoil the end for you but i ticked the spoiler box just in case. I hope to see an Azumi 3 in a few years but this time with Kanbei and Azumi fight within the climax of the film.You can feel a sort of tension between them. (If any directors read this make Azumi 3 and include an Azumi & Kanbei fight.)