13 Assasins

9/10 Dropps

Genre: Art House & International, Action & Adventure
Rated: R
Running Time: 2 hr. 6 min.
In Theaters: Apr 29, 2011 Limited
Directed By: Takashi Miike

13 Assassins follows a group of unemployed Samurai’s as they embark on a suicidal mission to overthrow, and assassinate, a perverse and sadistic Lord, making his way through Japan on the way lay council with the current Shogun, his brother. Taking place around 1844, near the end of Japan’s Feudal era, 13 Assassins conveys a story of love, sacrifice, family, and honor.

Directed by Takashi Miike (Ichi The Killer, Audition), 13 Assassins is bound to be another cult film by adored by Mikke’s many loyal followers, and rightfully so. One of the largest selling points for this Japanese timepiece is the feeling of authenticity created by Miike’s beautiful landscapes, and true to the imagination wardrobes. Each characters is set in front of what feels like genuine Japan circa 1844, and it truly creates something to get lost in for the viewer.

Set in front of those masterful backgrounds and stunning landscapes are the films true life blood and story drivers, Koji Yakusho (Babel, Memoirs Of A Geisha), who plays Shinzaemon Shimadathe, leader of the Samurai, Takayuki Yamada, who plays Yakusho’s gambling addicted nephew Shinrokuro, Takayuki Yamada, who plays the non-samurai comic relief character Koyata, and  Goro Inagaki, who earns the role as 13 Assassins cold, heinous antagonist Lord Naritsugu Matsudaira. With each actor of the 13 character ensemble dressed in similar attire, their performances truly bring out the uniqueness given to each individual, and give the film life where it could easily be jumbled and lost on a confused audience.

To match both Miike’s directing, and the masterful, somewhat chilling performances, given by each individual actor on screen, credit must be given to the truly fantastic writers of this true to an era time-piece. Writer and Co-writer Kaneo Ikegami (based on a screenplay by) and Daisuke Tengan (written for the screen by), capture a forgotten time with what appears to be ease creating something that’s both a genuinely touching story, as well as a full on, heart pounding, action flick blended together seamlessly.

13 Assassins premiered in Florida at this year’s Florida Film Festival, but is practically guaranteed to be back theaters later this year. The film feels as if it is broken into two halves, the first being a slower background and story building piece, and the later half a full on, non-stop, action film. No matter how you view the film, 13 Assassins, is bound to have something that everyone will enjoy, without a doubt one of the best films to show at this years Florida Film Festival, keep a eye out for its return later this year.

-Hunter Freiburg