Nyaoe
05-16-2009, 11:20 AM
(http://www.animeforum.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=43491)
http://www.cartoonleap.com/wp-content/gallery/november2008/sword_stranger_oscars.jpg
STRANGER – MUKOU HADAN
AKA: Sword of the Stranger, Sutorejia – Mukou Hadan
Movie, 102 minutes
By BONES studios, Shochiku
Released: Japan 2007, USA 2008-9
Director: Masahiro Andou Music: Naoki Satou Genre: action, drama
Plot Synopsis:
A young boy named Kotaro is chased by the Emperor’s soldiers, all the way from his homeland China to Japan. Here, he meets a mysterious and nameless samurai (Nanashi) without a master and he hires him to become his bodyguard. But soldiers sent out by the Emperor are perfectly trained to kill. They also don’t feel any pain, thanks to special drugs. On the top of it all, their leader is a brutal, blonde-haired and blue-eyed warrior named Rarou. He’s well known and feared for his anxiety to fight with the most possibly strongest opponent there is. As if this wasn’t enough, after finding out the reason for Kotaro’s pursuit, a local daimyou (feudal lord) and his general join the chase, seeing they could use the boy for their benefit.
Art and Animation: 9.5/10
I have to say, art and animation of this movie is just beautiful. Beautifully drawn and detailed, matt background with autumn-filled colors. Just few steps from the first seasonal snow. High-quality characters with typical faces (Nanashi is a typical samurai). Animation is smooth, action and battles aren’t too twitchy and you can see the actual combat and moves. Not just blurry images.
Choreography of the sword fights is nicely thought through. A little flaw can be found in some
CGI elements.
Voice acting/Music: 9/10
Music in this movie is very well made. Epic music compositions, typical for the feudal era. Dramatic music, different song for different scenes, nicely picked. You’ll especially enjoy the battle scene compositions. The main theme changes on intensity throughout the movie. Voice acting is also pretty nice. Nanashi is voiced by Tomoya Nagase, Kotaro is voiced by Yuuri Chine. I know kids are always kind of annoying but Kotaro’s constant complaining and suspicion in his “creaky” voice got on my nerves.
Story: 10/10
Thanks to the classic elements and style of telling the story, you would think it’s a movie full of clichés.
Well, you are badly mistaken, nothing like that takes place here. The appetizer is a battle between the Mings and bandits. From there, we watch the journey of Nanashi and Kotaro, who under the circumstances of great pride and completely different attitudes somehow get through the story.
Through the court management, questionable prophecy and “surprising” revelations, we get to the monumental battle and a pleasurable conclusion. Also a sprinkle of humor is present. But not always on the innocent level.
Characters: 8/10
Characters may be the biggest weakness of this movie. Nanashi is a samurai without a master. He’s mostly carefree and minds his own business. But when it comes to fights, he looks like a wild demon who can’t be beat; the perfect, mysterious, unbeatable samurai. That’s kind of a cliché. Kotaro, the little kid looks also fine from the start. Just a kid on the run with his faithful dog and friend Tobimaru. But the moment he meets Nanashi, he’s just an annoying, suspicious little brat, that knows everything. Thank god the dog is normal. The last main character is Rarou. Well, he’s a killing machine I would say, but he does have a brain. He’s hard to predict and you never know what’s on his mind. He’s faithful to the Emperor and follows his commands, unless a fight with a really strong opponent comes up. Other characters are just fine.
Overall: 10/10
Stranger – Mukou Hadan is a well made movie, kind of a tale for grown-ups if you wish. Moral messages are not in the way and they complete the movie. Total absence of boring parts will make you watch it again. Maybe this time with some friends.
Here are some images from the movie:
http://www.animeforum.com/image/thum_2040864a0ee7061529e.jpg (http://www.animeforum.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=43489) http://www.animeforum.com/image/thum_2040864a0ee71960e6e.jpg (http://www.animeforum.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=43490) http://www.animeforum.com/image/thum_2040864a0ee74c610c6.jpg (http://www.animeforum.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=43492) http://www.animeforum.com/image/thum_2040864a0ee75fa3061.jpg (http://www.animeforum.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=43493) http://www.animeforum.com/image/thum_2040864a0ee77657681.png (http://www.animeforum.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=43494)
http://www.cartoonleap.com/wp-content/gallery/november2008/sword_stranger_oscars.jpg
STRANGER – MUKOU HADAN
AKA: Sword of the Stranger, Sutorejia – Mukou Hadan
Movie, 102 minutes
By BONES studios, Shochiku
Released: Japan 2007, USA 2008-9
Director: Masahiro Andou Music: Naoki Satou Genre: action, drama
Plot Synopsis:
A young boy named Kotaro is chased by the Emperor’s soldiers, all the way from his homeland China to Japan. Here, he meets a mysterious and nameless samurai (Nanashi) without a master and he hires him to become his bodyguard. But soldiers sent out by the Emperor are perfectly trained to kill. They also don’t feel any pain, thanks to special drugs. On the top of it all, their leader is a brutal, blonde-haired and blue-eyed warrior named Rarou. He’s well known and feared for his anxiety to fight with the most possibly strongest opponent there is. As if this wasn’t enough, after finding out the reason for Kotaro’s pursuit, a local daimyou (feudal lord) and his general join the chase, seeing they could use the boy for their benefit.
Art and Animation: 9.5/10
I have to say, art and animation of this movie is just beautiful. Beautifully drawn and detailed, matt background with autumn-filled colors. Just few steps from the first seasonal snow. High-quality characters with typical faces (Nanashi is a typical samurai). Animation is smooth, action and battles aren’t too twitchy and you can see the actual combat and moves. Not just blurry images.
Choreography of the sword fights is nicely thought through. A little flaw can be found in some
CGI elements.
Voice acting/Music: 9/10
Music in this movie is very well made. Epic music compositions, typical for the feudal era. Dramatic music, different song for different scenes, nicely picked. You’ll especially enjoy the battle scene compositions. The main theme changes on intensity throughout the movie. Voice acting is also pretty nice. Nanashi is voiced by Tomoya Nagase, Kotaro is voiced by Yuuri Chine. I know kids are always kind of annoying but Kotaro’s constant complaining and suspicion in his “creaky” voice got on my nerves.
Story: 10/10
Thanks to the classic elements and style of telling the story, you would think it’s a movie full of clichés.
Well, you are badly mistaken, nothing like that takes place here. The appetizer is a battle between the Mings and bandits. From there, we watch the journey of Nanashi and Kotaro, who under the circumstances of great pride and completely different attitudes somehow get through the story.
Through the court management, questionable prophecy and “surprising” revelations, we get to the monumental battle and a pleasurable conclusion. Also a sprinkle of humor is present. But not always on the innocent level.
Characters: 8/10
Characters may be the biggest weakness of this movie. Nanashi is a samurai without a master. He’s mostly carefree and minds his own business. But when it comes to fights, he looks like a wild demon who can’t be beat; the perfect, mysterious, unbeatable samurai. That’s kind of a cliché. Kotaro, the little kid looks also fine from the start. Just a kid on the run with his faithful dog and friend Tobimaru. But the moment he meets Nanashi, he’s just an annoying, suspicious little brat, that knows everything. Thank god the dog is normal. The last main character is Rarou. Well, he’s a killing machine I would say, but he does have a brain. He’s hard to predict and you never know what’s on his mind. He’s faithful to the Emperor and follows his commands, unless a fight with a really strong opponent comes up. Other characters are just fine.
Overall: 10/10
Stranger – Mukou Hadan is a well made movie, kind of a tale for grown-ups if you wish. Moral messages are not in the way and they complete the movie. Total absence of boring parts will make you watch it again. Maybe this time with some friends.
Here are some images from the movie:
http://www.animeforum.com/image/thum_2040864a0ee7061529e.jpg (http://www.animeforum.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=43489) http://www.animeforum.com/image/thum_2040864a0ee71960e6e.jpg (http://www.animeforum.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=43490) http://www.animeforum.com/image/thum_2040864a0ee74c610c6.jpg (http://www.animeforum.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=43492) http://www.animeforum.com/image/thum_2040864a0ee75fa3061.jpg (http://www.animeforum.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=43493) http://www.animeforum.com/image/thum_2040864a0ee77657681.png (http://www.animeforum.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=43494)