Samurai X - Reflection - Director's Cut (Rurouni Kenshin) | 
 enlarge | Actor: Samurai X-reflection
Studio: ADV Films
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.98
Buy New: $16.94
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Rating:  129 reviews
Sales Rank: 49921
Format: Animated, Color, Director's Cut, Dolby, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), Japanese (Original Language)
Rating: Unrated
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 98 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: ADNDSX006D
ISBN: 1578136415
UPC: 702727058325
EAN: 9781578136414
ASIN: B00065GWHE
Release Date: December 28, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW, Factory Sealed items direct from the Studios. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail!
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Product Description
Studio: Adv Films Release Date: 12/28/2004 Run time: 98 minutes
Amazon.com
As he did in Samurai X: Trust & Betrayal (Director's Cut), director Kazuhiro Furuhashi has re-edited episodes of the Samurai X OVA into a seamless feature. Shinta, the child who grew up to become the assassin Battousai the Manslayer and the wanderer Kenshin Himura, returns to being just Shinta in the arms of his beloved second wife Kaoru. The story takes place 1893, long after Kenshin's bloody deeds during the civil wars that led to the Meiji Restoration--and the previous OVAs that culminated in the death of Kenshin's first wife, Tomoe. Despite his efforts at expiation, Kenshin's soul is burdened with many deaths and can find no peace in this world. Furuhashi has added new still images and repeated some shots to achieve a more deliberate narrative pace. Kenshin's tragedy concludes amid the falling cherry blossoms that symbolize the evanescent life of a samurai. Darker in tone than the popular Rurouni Kenshin broadcast series, Trust & Betrayal is a moving and skillfully told elegy. (Rated 17 and older: violence, alcohol use, mature themes) --Charles Solomon
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| Customer Reviews: Read 124 more reviews...
 Samurai X - Reflection August 31, 2007
G. Ramirez (critiCali.... son!)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Boring.... too much taling and walking, not enough fighting. Dont pay the full 26.00 price, worth about 3 bucks only
 reconciling the different reviews August 9, 2007
N. Nozari (USA)
I see that the reviews on this DVD are divided into two groups: ones who love it, ones who hate it. So, maybe my review would be helpful to the new reader. Kenshin series has two faces to it. The first one, which is mostly reflected in the TV series is the legend of a Samurai, with utmost skill and best of intentions. The atmosphere is gay and uplifting and it's a great series for both kids and adults. The second face -or the deeper layer of the story- is the legend of the struggle of a man's soul in the journey of life, the story of repent, immense sorrow and indefinite pain. This side of the story is transparent in the TV series and only reveals itself in the trilogy of Trust, Betrayal and Samurai X Reflection. Unlike the TV series, and in harmony with the content, these DVDs are extremely dark and gloomy, definitely not suitable for children.
So, it's perfectly fine to just go after the TV series and never get to these three. However, if you can handle a bitter story but are looking for true depth then proceed.
I also saw comments on an over-romantic organization of Samurai X reflection. I don't say it's not true. However, I recommend taking it a little more symbolically than by its face value. It's the story of Kenshin's soul striving to overcome the pain, and the devotion of people who care about him. It's difficult to portray that, so the creator uses personification of love, compassion and pain in a mundane form, which, I believe, could look a little too base to some people. But get over the surface and you'll see the beauty.
Uninspired and Flawed Storytelling Nigh Unwatchable June 3, 2007
Roforot (Austin, Tx)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As many have commented, this movie does not feel like Ruroni Kenshin. The tone is bleak and hopeless and lacks the magical elements of the series. When one watches a Star Wars episode, you know it's Star Wars. Here though except for the cross-marked scar and red hair, I would not have known it to be Ruroni Kenshin.
The basic plot is that Kenshin wanders across China helping the sick while Kaoru waits for his return. He is for the most part uninspiring and unlovable as he speaks in bland tones over and over about his guilt. This may have been acceptable at the very beginning of the series but here at the end, it completely disregards his development and all the humanity (his humanity) for which he fought. Please note as well that we're never shown any of the work that Kenshin does or the aid he offers to people; all we're shown is him feeling guilty or looking over the sea.
Kaoru's plight is even more pathetic; basically she spends every day going to the harbour and then going back home and everyone asks her "Kenshin didn't come back?" She then spends a fair amount of time being sick and receiving care from everyone else. How is this supposed to be heroic?
The story is also told through flashbacks featuring some fo the best animation sequences I've seen, but again these snips are poorly sewn together. In none of these sequences do I see anything to explain Kaoru's dedication or love; nor do I see Kenshin's peace or happiness at home. The flashbacks are by the way the only part of the movie that contains fighting/action scenes.
***************** SPOILER ALERT *************************
The ending is not necessarily a bad one if it had been built up correctly. Basically Kenshin walks back home; falls into Kaoru's arms and dies in peace. However, having been bored and alienated by self-pity drivel in the first 98% of the movie, this wasn't as strong or potent. I felt sad because this was the "end" of the character of Kenshin who I have watched and read; and thought he deserved a better send-off.
A better example of a noble ending is in the Lone Wolf & Cub Manga.
I suppose I should be added to the list of people who want to pretend this never happened. I think it may have been Shinta (Kenshin's birth name) who died but not the legend Kenshin. I hope they do release another Kenshi movie and say this was just a bad dream, the kind you have after drinking sour milk.
Pathetic!!!!!!! May 13, 2007
TamZ (Staten Island, New York United States)
2 out of 7 found this review helpful
I've seen Samurai X-Reflection on the net and i gotta say, it is pathetic as the title says. Imma big Ruruoni kenshin fan and i can't believe the OVA strayed away from the Anime.. Wut happened to Kenshin?? all of a sudden he looks weak and lacking of confidence.. he's not the same Kenshin Himura i used to know..i prefer the original anime designs from the series, i liked it better...i hated the ending, kenshin dying..no way.. i was pissseddd off cuz of dat...the ending in the anime series was 100x better than this...i encourage everyone who hasn't seen it to forget about it and not to recognize it as part fo the Kenshin saga...i officially denounce it and will pretend dat it was never made...
To die for! May 13, 2007
Catalina (Costa Rica)
I can watch this movie over and over again and no matter what I still cry.
The sense and the strory behind it is one of the deepest heartbreaking stories ever.
There are a lot of things to explain, but even if you don't know the whole story, is worth it.
If you are interested you should start with the first 3 OVAs, the series, the movie and to close this magnificent OVA.
2 Thumbs up!
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