Matisse van Rossum’s review published on Letterboxd:
Watched this as part of my "100 Movies to See Before You Die" Challenge.
#1 of 100
Samurai/ninja films of the last decade or so have left a lot to be desired, focusing on over exaggerated, slo-mo, leaping from roof to roof fight scenes rather than an interesting story. Granted I haven't seen all the samurai films of the past decade, but 13 Assassins is one of the best I've seen. The first act is slow but deliberately paced, however at times it definitely feels a little ponderous and convoluted. However the set pieces and cinematography are beautiful and work well with the pacing of the film. I was reminded a little of Akira Kurasowa's Rashomon , which makes the same use of neat, deliberate framing, smooth camera movement, and long, continuous takes.
The pace starts to pick up by the second act and makes way for the incredible third act, which is a 45 minute battle scene the likes of which I've never seen. This section of the film is certainly its strongest point. It's perfectly choreographed and shot, providing some of the finest excitement I've ever seen in an action film. The violence is visceral and bloody, but not glorified or over exaggerated. It's so engaging that I got completely lost in it.
This last 45 minutes alone makes 13 Assassins worth watching, regardless of how you feel about the first hour. Even though it's got some pacing problems, it's still an interesting and engaging film. It's a story of samurai trying to uphold their sacred code during the downfall of the shogunate era in Japan. It's about maintaining a balance of honor and duty, and these themes are well explored in this film.
I'm not sure it really deserves a place in a list of 100 films to see before you die, but it's certainly worth a watch.